Voices

There sometimes is a voice inside that says, “who would listen to me anyway?” 

It is up to each of us to do our best to turn down the volume on that voice, and to turn up the volume on the one that says, “Even one person -or presence - listening to me is enough.” Even if that person happens to be you.

A Harmonious and Faithful Chorus - Prayer for Daily Livestream minyan for The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Overland Park, KS on February 27, 2022

My prayer for the daily Facebook live minyan for the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah on February 27, 2022

Creator of night and day, 

Giver of light, 

Source of wisdom,

Author of freedom, 

Open our eyes not only 

to recognize the wonders of the world

But also to sense 

the connections between us 

So that anyone who is tempted to see other people 

as strangers or enemies

Will, instead, 

accept all citizens of this planet as neighbors 

And fellow members of one human family.

The denial of our inherent oneness can cause conflict

But the affirmation of intrinsic ties that bind us together,

Can lead us to take part 

In the harmonious and faithful chorus

That declares You to be One.

Silence into Prayer - meditation during silent prayer Amidah at the morning service of the Songleader Boot Camp Virtual Conference on February 22, 2022

How do we turn silence into prayer? 

By gazing out at the world outside

By peering into our minds and hearts

By connecting with the web of existence

By affirming the bond of all humanity

By rejecting calls for superiority founded in arrogance

By overcoming divisions fomented by demagogues

By sending hopes for healing

By demanding peace in the face of war

By hearing the music in our own souls 

By sensing the harmony that emerges from the souls of others

So that we can truly, all of us, be one 

and 

With God, 

make peace 

Above and below. 

Morning Questions (based on the Tefillah/Amidah prayers in Jewish Liturgy)

Questions inspired by the Tefillah/Amidah, the central part of the Jewish worship service (created during the Songleader Boot Camp National Conference Morning service)

How do we honor our ancestors?

How do we appreciate everything around us?

How do we strive for holiness? 

How do we use our knowledge to better this world? 

How can we make turn our mistakes into opportunities for healing and growth? 

How can we forgive others and ourselves enough to move on? 

How can we muster the strength inside of us to overcome the challenges life places before us? 

How can we care enough about ourselves and one another to bring complete healing? 

How can we appreciate the gifts of this world and assure that their sustenance will endure? 

How can we see all people in the world as being gathered together in one family? 

How can we promote a justice that truly acknowledges the equality inherent in all human beings? 

How can we turn the dark corners of evil in the world into centers of light and good? 

How can we clearly recognize the righteous among us and follow their example? 

How can we bring peace into places where it continues to elude us? 

How can we bring salvation and deliverance to each other through compassion and connection? 

How can our prayers enable us to rise up to the best people we can be? 

How can we generously share our spirit with others? 

How can we approach life with gratitude in ways that can enhance our own lives and our community? 

How can we be peacemakers in a world that needs so much more peace?

Brightening dark places around us - original reading for the Temple, Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Overland Park, KS Facebook Live virtual Daily Minyan on February 13, 2022

We praise You, Eternal God, 

For granting us light each day that illumines the world,

And for providing us with the light of Torah in Your love. 

Teach us to focus our vision 

on the darkness around us

And among us

And inside of us

So that Your instruction and inspiration 

Coupled with our wisdom and insight

Will guide us to brighten all of those places 

and concealed corners of the human soul

That cry out for new light and hope. 

Open our eyes to recognize 

That Your Oneness encompasses all of us every day

Leading us to call You One 

and directing us 

to be one 

with all of the inhabitants  

of this precious world.  

Sustaining Cycles of Creation and Wisdom - Reading for the February 7, 2022 virtual Daily Minyan for the Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Overland Park, KS

Original Reading for 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, Overland Park, Kansas 

Daily Minyan

February 7, 2022

Eternal One,

As we anticipate the approaching sunset

The peace of night,

And the arrival of the dawn. 

We praise You for sustaining 

The miraculous cycle of creation. 

Fill us with wonder so that 

Special moments will not go unnoticed.

Share Your love with us through 

Your teachings and wisdom, 

A heritage that guides us that we

Reinforce through learning, deep conversations, song,  

And rituals that bring Your Torah to life. 

May Your gifts of insight lead us to a love

That will bind us together and make us one

As You are One.