Bound together in hope - Daily Minyan reading - July 16, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

July 16, 2024

God of our ancestors 

Who lived through challenges and turmoil, 

Times of despair 

as well as milestones of joy and achievement, 

Be with us now 

As we seek peace and rest every night 

So that we will have renewed strength to 

Face the day to come. 

Hold us in Your infinite wisdom 

 so that our experiences and commitment

Will enable us to build bridges across ideological divides.

Support us in Your shelter of blessing

So that we can reach out to those who are hurting 

In a way that they will accept our sincere efforts 

to offer our care and help.

Guide us to keep our focus on the sacred ties of love 

That hold us together as partners 

And direct us to refuse to give in 

to the temptation to wield power

in ways that will cause freedom and justice

To depart from this world.  

When we speak of unity, may it be based 

Not on a human definition, narrow in its scope,

But, rather, may it derive from the Oneness 

That emanates from Your presence 

Which serves as the foundation of our very existence

As members of one family, bound together in hope. 

Guide us along - Daily Minyan Original Reading - July 11, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

July 11, 2024

Eternal Creator, 

Fashioner of the cycle of night and day, 

Shepherd of the sun, moon, planets and stars, 

Guide us along the journey of our lives 

So that we will find new ways to shine within ourselves

And for others, 

Sharing the light of our knowledge and wisdom,

Emanating with a spirit of optimism and commitment

That will further freedom and justice in the human community, 

And exuding compassion that will reach the darkest corners

Of despair among us

In order to provide support, help and hope. 

In times when power is used to create division and derision, 

May we be beacons of love and acceptance 

That will lead to greater unity

And an ever-growing recognition of the Oneness that we share

Because of You

And within You 

At the core of our very existence

And of our persistent presence in this wondrous world. 

New opportunities- Daily minyan original reading - June 26, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

June 26, 2024

Source of wisdom, 

Author of freedom, 

Beacon of peace, 

Guide us night and day

As we fashion the path of our lives. 

May our personal journeys

Be filled with joy, learning, and friendship.

May we be open to new opportunities 

For expanding our knowledge 

And fostering our own growth along our way. 

May we see ourselves in the context of community

Forging connections with people with whom we share

Perspectives and interests 

And with people who will teach us to broaden our horizons 

In a spirit of cooperation, respect and decency. 

As members of the human family, 

May our sense of Your image dwelling in every person 

Lead us to acknowledge

 the Oneness that encompasses us all. 

The sounds of Your Oneness -Daily Minyan -June 20, 2024

Note - I wrote this reading keeping in mind that it’s Brian Wilson’s 82nd  birthday today and two days ago was Paul McCartney’s 82nd birthday. 

I thought a reading on the power of lyrics and melody was in order.    

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

June 20, 2024

Eternal Creator, 

Our inspiration for prayer and song, 

May the meditations we intone 

Guide us along on the waves of our emotions

May they fashion our streams of thought 

Into sincere action. 

May our melodies bring to this world

Greater light 

Deeper understanding 

Pleasing harmonies

And stronger communal connection.

May each note embody a portion of the 

Total essence of Your teachings 

That leads us to knowledge 

And that enables us to open our eyes

And to focus our listening  

To the sounds of Your Oneness 

That is the foundation of our existence. 

May our united voices 

From a distance or in a shared space

Allow holiness and peace to enter 

and find a home 

In this world where we dwell

And in our lives 

where we continue to seek love and hope.

A Network of Compassion and Love- Daily Minyan Reading - June 4, 2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

June 4, 2024

Creator of Light, 

Source of our wisdom, 

Inspire us to express wonder

At the turning of day to dusk, 

Darkness to dawn 

So that we will fill our moments

With a deeper meaning 

That enables us to sense Your presence

Shining in our souls

Uniting us within your loving shelter. 

Open our eyes to see through imaginary walls

That are created only for the purpose 

of sowing division and discord. 

Strengthen our minds and hands 

To build bridges and foster connections among us

Fashioning a network of compassion and love. 

May we find new ways to bask in Your Oneness

Affirming, through all that we do, 

That we who live in this world 

Will strive to be One. 

Free and Kind Speech - May 21, 2024 (Facebook post)

Recent events have brought to light something I have thought about for a long time and tried to practice: There are times when it’s better to be nice than to be right.   I thought about that when my name was placed on a picket sign in Topeka by a certain family/church. Certain expressions from that group have found their way into laws and policies passed on all levels of government and have been echoed in the words shared in a recent commencement address.   Yes, these folks have freedom of speech.   Of course they do.  Who would doubt that?   And people who oppose those views have a right to speak out, too. 

   A story. 

   I was at an event in Topeka 20-plus years ago to give an invocation, and the speaker was the late Senator Paul Wellstone from Minnesota.  The picketers were outside railing against him and his message and perspectives. I told him that I was sorry that he had to be greeted by those folks and their signs.  He said, “You know that they have the right to demonstrate because of free speech.”  I replied, Yes, Senator, I know, but I just wish they would use their right to free speech in a different way!”  

     Words that are intended to hurt, ridicule, bully, harass, and harshly judge often find their way into the world these days, and are frequently spoken with glee and enthusiasm, with the intention of fomenting division and imposing one view over all others.  

     Words from what one place kicker called, in his language, “the church of nice” (perhaps the “shule of kindness” for me), might actually serve us all better so that human respect and decency might have a chance to flourish and triumph.  

      Perhaps we will get back to that one day.

Sparks of Hope - Daily Minyan Original Reading- May 23,2024

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The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah

May 23, 2024

Creator of the Universe, 

In times of challenge and despair, 

Help us to discover within us 

Sparks of hope

Glimmers of goodness

Traces of compassion 

Morsels of kindness

Whispers of wonder

Touches of tenderness

That will enable us

 to reach into ourselves

And recover a generous and joyous spirit

To reach out to others 

To offer strength, support and sustenance

And to reach for You

Who opens our eyes to the oneness of the world

That seeks to bring balance between justice and mercy 

So that darkness will be overcome by light

And hatred will be overshadowed by love.