Overcome by Harmony - Daily Minyan Reading - June 23, 2025

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

June 23, 2025

May You, Eternal One, 

who brings on the evening

May You, 

who imbues within us Your wisdom

Lift us up

Above our momentary concerns

Beyond our ongoing challenges

Higher and higher  

To a vantage point 

Where we can see human conflict

From Your perspective 

Where differences disappear

Where disagreements diminish 

Where divisions are dismissed as unnecessary 

Where animosity yields to acceptance 

Where hatred surrenders to hope

Where hostility is overcome by harmony.

As we all reside on this earth

And watch the same sun rise and set 

And gaze together 

at the moon’s transit through the skies, 

May we realize that we will thrive 

only 

When Your love becomes our love

When Your peace forms the foundation of our peace

And when Your Oneness washes over us

To make us One. 

When we live within that love... - Daily Minyan Reading - June 17, 2025

Facebook Live Daily Minyan 

The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

Original reading

June 17, 2025

Eternal God, 

Our Creator and Sustainer, 

We move through each day, 

Seeking to fashion our path 

As a reflection of the intricacies of this world

That we behold and encounter with wonder. 

You have given us the ability to transform

Our amazement into love,

Founded not only within our well-being, 

But expanding towards our brothers and sisters

In the human family 

And extending to the isolated corners of 

Our planet and the cosmos. 

When we live within that love, 

Hatred falls away. 

Power over others loses its meaning. 

Cooperation and partnership become an obvious choice. 

A desire for deep connection takes hold of our souls

So that, even with eyes closed, we find our place

In the midst of Your Oneness

Where we can do nothing 

Other than 

become one with You

With our people

With all people

Dwelling under

the everlasting shelter of Your peace. 

On this ordination anniversary June 6, 2025

On this ordination anniversary 

Two score and four years.

“Authorized and licensed

To perform all rabbinical functions

in the name of God 

and (the people) Israel.”

Years filled with 

Learning

Service

Growth 

Teaching

Growing others

Connecting within a community

Building bridges to other communities 

Fashioning new narratives 

And commentary 

Out of a humbly-received heritage. 

Partnering within family

And with leaders of all ages

To make memorable moments of meaning. 

Capturing images 

Of gatherings and celebrations

Facilitating the sharing of song

With talented vocalists 

and skilled instrumentalists

And, unexpectedly raising up from within myself

Personal expressions 

in the form of lyrics and melody 

Joining with fellow travelers 

On the road to acceptance and justice

To stand for freedom

And to face down unnecessary hatred

That sometimes resulted in tragedy

Calling for collective mourning 

And for the ongoing renewal of hope. 

And now

Learning, teaching, growing, serving, creating 

Continue in a steady flow

Founded upon a foundation of 

A tradition that calls on each of us 

Not to give up on love 

And not to stop searching for peace. 

May the One who keeps us alive, 

Sustains us, 

And brings us to this day, 

Be our companion 

As we walk forward 

Along this precious and holy path.