Barack Mandela, in the United States Army holding an Israeli flag, at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. (Personal Collection)

I am an African American who converted to Judaism in 1995, then I became a citizen of Israel in 1996. I served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. I am a member of the American Legion veterans’ organization.

While living in Israel, I studied at Aish HaTorah Yeshiva in Jerusalem for 5 months and Machon Meir Yeshiva in Jerusalem for 8 months. I studied with Rabbi Noach Weinberg at Aish and Rabbi Dov Begon at Machon.

Inspired by the Jewish faith and the land of Israel, I have written this prayer called “Dear God” for African American and black communities:

Dear God,

May the peace of black families always stay

And may the racist voice in our heads go away

Dear God,

Please bless the father who is thinking of leaving

As the mother and kids remain poor and grieving

Dear God,

Empower the jobless and the houseless

Bring hope to those black women who are spouseless

Dear God,

Please protect all the black children down on our Southern border

Who are the victims of crushing law and order

Dear God,

Please help the parents of black sons

Who live in a society surrounded by guns

Dear God,

Touch the soul of the black child who is hidin’

Let our communities be helped by President Joe Biden

Dear God,

Please protect our kids in school being bullied

Restore the black family completely and fully

Dear God,

Bless our hearts that are hurt and annoyed

Let no one die like our martyr George Floyd

Dear God,

You are our father and mother

Bless every black sister and brother

Dear God,

You are the holy one of Israel

Make our hurt hearts instantly heal

Dear God,

Bring peace to our friends who are angry

Nurture all those abandoned by their family

Dear God,

Let black communities raise their hands in victory

Our community may live in serenity

Dear God,

We pray to be healed by your divine plan

Together, as a people, we will stand

Dear God,

Our black community is faithful and brave

We pray that our souls you will save

Dear God,

Bring together the pieces that were scattered

Teach everyone that black lives matter

The End

The purpose of this prayer is to uplift, empower, and heal African American and black communities worldwide. Please read this prayer in your houses of worship including synagogues, mosques, churches, and temples.

This prayer was inspired by Spencer LaJoye’s “Plowshare Prayer”.