Dear All
I hope you don`t mind me sending a prayer for the children of Gaza with which I
am finishing my sermon tomorrow at the synagogue. I feel heartsick about the
whole situation and have struggled to find a way to say that its terrible that
children in Sderot have to run to the shelters all the time and its also
terrible that the children in Gaza are terrified to leave their own homes
or go to school.
What would be wonderful would be a joint Jewish
Muslim demonstration or simple way to say that we need to live together in
peace. Actually there is a European convoy for peace next week that is planning
to go to Sderot and to Gaza, so that at least gives one hope Meanwhile, I wish
you Shalom and Salaam and 20 we can only pray for peace and reconciliation
A senior Lady Rabbi
I want to finish with a prayer for the children
of Gaza written by Bradley Burston who writes in Ha’aretz
If there has ever been a time for prayer, this is that time
If there has ever been a place forsaken, Gaza
is that place
Lord who is the creator of all children, hear our prayer this accursed
day. God whom
we call Blessed, turn your face to these, the children of Gaza, that
they may know
your blessings and your shelter, that they may know light and warmth,
where there is
now only blackness and smoke, and a cold which cuts and clenches the
skin.
Almighty who makes exceptions, which we call miracles, make an
exception of the
children of Gaza. Shield them from us and from their own. Spare them,
heal them. Let
them stand in safety. Deliver them from hunger and horror and fury and
grief. Deliver
them from us and from their own.
Restore to them their stolen childhoods, their birthright, which is a
taste of heaven.
Remind us O Lord, of the child Ishmael, who is the father of all the
children of Gaza.
How the child Ishmael was without water and left for dead in the
wilderness of Beer
Sheba,=2
0so robbed of hope that his own mother could not bear to watch
his life drain
Away.
Be that Lord , who was with Ishmael that day, and all the days after.
Be that God, the
All-Merciful, who opened Hagar’s eyes that day, and showed her the well
of water,
that she could give the boy Ishmael to drink and save his life.
Allah, whose name we call Elohim, who gives life, who knows the value
and the
fragility of every life, send these children your angels. Save them,
the children of this
place, Gaza the most beautiful and Gaza the damned.
In this day, when the trepidation and rage and mourning that is called
war, seizes our
hearts and patches them in scars, we call to you, the Lord whose name
is peace.
Bless these children and keep them from harm.
Turn Your face towards them, O Lord, show them, as if for the first
time , light and
kindness and overwhelming graciousness.
Look up at them Lord, let them see your face. And as if for the first
time, grant them peace.
AMEN