A big THANK YOU to all who participated in the April 17th Centennial Trail Spring Cleanup. Despite pouring rain early in the morning, the sun magically appeared on cue and the work went smoothly. Thanks so much to Art Zack and Jon Rascoff for coordinating this Tikkun Olam event.
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Thanks to all who participated in our recent tikkun olam projects. The Yom Kippur food drive gathered over 450 pounds of food for the food bank, and the Bingo party at the V.A. hospital on Christmas day was a fun way to bring cheer to many of our veterans.
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Zion Prayer by Joe Hample (Beth Haverim's Rabbi Intern, 2006-2007)
O God of Israel, we are troubled for Zion. You promised the country to our ancestors: even in exile we loved it as we loved you. At last you rewarded our patience, you restored our heritage to us, but with a new challenge, the obligation to share it with another nation.
O God of Israel, we are anxious for Zion. You brought our people from the Valley of Death back to our sacred land. Still you instruct us as of old, to embrace the stranger, to show justice even to an adversary, to forgo vengeance, to love our neighbor as ourselves. How difficult your commandments!
O God of Israel, we are heartsick for Zion. Help us to heal its pain, to protect the vulnerable, to reconcile enemies. Allow the fires of faith to burn without consuming the believers. Show us how to respect those who are different from us, even those who hate us. We know hate is not part of your plan.
O God of Israel, we are hopeful for Zion. Watch tenderly over the land of Israel: take pity on the displaced, the abused, the homeless. Grant us the courage to reach out, the compassion to befriend the wanderer, whatever their race or creed. Remind us daily that all persons are created in your image.
O God of Israel, we are faithful for Zion. Teach us sympathy for the foreigner, appreciation for the outsider. Part for us the sea of fear, lead us to the shore of trust, deliver us to the stronghold of justice and peace for all peoples. Then shall your truth go forth from Zion, and your word from Jerusalem. So may it be your will.
