by Zosia Zaks
Considering all that we hold sacred, let us come together to bless our country, our government, our leaders and advisors, and all those who exercise authority. May they come to understand insights we find in Torah that they will administer affairs of state wisely, deconstructing and disrupting patterns of racism and other forms of oppression that have destroyed far too many lives, leaving our land one of sorrow not just bravery. May our leaders shift to new forms of governance and leadership that lift up the lives of the oppressed, and that ensure basic rights and justice and freedom for all.
Let us take a moment to bless all the different kinds of people who live in our country, work here, and love here. At important moments of transition, let us commit to the lives of all citizens as well as the strangers who dwell among us – all races, religions, ethnicities, genders & sexualities, disabilities, and diversities of all sorts too numerous to list, understanding deeply that our diversity is our greatest strength. Help us and help the leaders we choose to represent us to make the dream of liberty for everyone a legitimate aspiration.
We acknowledge humbly that the United States has not yet achieved a democratic society that unites people in this land and around the world in peace, but we pledge to work toward the vision of our prophets: “Justice, justice shall you pursue." And let us say: Amen.