This prayer is an invitation to lean into your deepest values and truths, and a way of setting your intentions to take an active role in tikkun olam, repairing the world.

May we hear and recognize our own calling,

We are the ones with the capacity to heal,

To nurture, and to repair the harm we have caused,

And the harm of those who came before us.

May we strive to practice tikkun olam,

May we repair the world through collective action

So that we can not only survive this changing world,

But thrive here.

May we be courageous in the face of apathy,

In the presence of our own fear and indecision,

May we move together even through grief,

Remembering that there’s still time to act,

There’s still time to remember the world

Back into being.

Julie Emden is the Founding Director of Embodied Jewish Learning and the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, a global collaborative of leaders and seekers of movement practices infused with Jewish wisdom. Laura Hegfield is an educator, meditation guide and spiritual lay-leader, incorporating original liturgical poems and musical compositions to lift her voice in prayer, song and love. 

Julie and Laura have been chevruta (study partners), exploring and studying Torah together for more than 20 years. In their words: “In our weekly studies, we have found that our steady, long-standing witnessing of one another in relationship as we make connections between Torah and our day-to-day lives has been a plentiful well of nourishment and healing that sustains us over time. You may choose to explore this booklet together with a chevruta - a friend who may witness you and whom you may also witness, to enrich your experience.”

Published by Recustom in collaboration with Embodied Jewish Learning. All content created by Laura Hegfield and Julie Emden of the Embodied Jewish Wisdom Network, except where otherwise noted. All contributions from Laura Hegfield are copyrighted and shared with the author’s permission.

Deep appreciation to Rabbi Richard Address of Jewish Sacred Aging, Rabbi Evan Krame of Jewish Doorways and to Rabbi Laura Geller, Rabbi Beth Lieberman for their leadership in developing rituals for this stage of life. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations named in this booklet who shared their creativity and their writings, including those originally published in New Rituals for New Life Stages, edited by Rabbi Richard Address of Jewish Sacred Aging.

by Sheikha Ibtisam Mahameed and Rabba Tamar Elad-Appelbaum

This invocation, written by two mothers, one Muslim and one Jewish, invites us to take their plea for peace into our hearts and into the world. It has been shared widely by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie and the Lab/Shul community.

Let us Light Candles for Peace

Two mothers, one plea:

Now, more than ever, during these days of so much crying,on the day that is sacred to both our religions, Friday, Sabbath Eve

Let us light a candle in every home – for peace:

A candle to illuminate our future, face to face,

A candle across borders, beyond fear.

From our family homes and houses of worship

Let us light each other up,

Let these candles be a lighthouse to our spirit

Until we all arrive at the sanctuary of peace.