May we hold lovingly in our thoughts / Those suffering the loss of loved ones from Covid / And those struggling with illness and the health of family and friends.

May our hearts embrace / Those living under tyranny, subjugation, cruelty, and injustice, / And work towards the mitigation of their suffering.

May we recognize our solidarity / With the stranger, immigrant, and asylum seeker, / The outcast, downtrodden, abused, and deprived, / That no human being be treated as “other,” / That our humanity weaves us / Into one “fabric of mutuality, One garment of destiny.”

May we pursue the Biblical prophet’s vision / Of justice, compassion, and peace, / That we live harmoniously with each other, / Respecting our differences, / Cherishing our diversity, / Revering Divinity in every soul.

May we struggle / Against institutional injustice, / Xenophobia, racism, homophobia, antisemitism, and misogyny, / Governmental corruption and the perversion of truth, / The despoliation of the earth, seas, rivers, and air, / And attacks against America’s democratic institutions.

May we act / With integrity of body, heart, mind, soul, and spirit, / Despising none, defrauding none, hating none, denigrating none, / Honoring every creature of the earth.

May the Jewish people, the State of Israel, all peoples and nations / Know peace with justice in this New Year 5781. / May Americans embrace our higher angels, / And nurture kindness and love everywhere.

-A prayer written by Rabbi John L. Rosove – Rosh Hashanah 5781