Rabbis For Human Rights - North America

Prayers

“May the Holy One send a healing of body and a healing of soul to those who have suffered torture, whether at the hands of agents of our own country or at the hands of others. May those who engage in torture cease and desist, and turn away from this path that corrupts their souls and debases the Great Name of God.” (Misheberach for Victims of Torture by Rabbi Gilah Langner)

Prayers

• A Ten-Part Prayer on the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11/01: By Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW.

• Hanukah Reading for Synagogues: By Rabbi Ed Feld.

 

• A Hanukah Candle Lighting Prayer: Beautifully presented, printable document with a special Hanukah candle lighting prayer which connects the Hanukah story to a rejection of torture.

• Eleh Ezkerah: By Rabbi Melissa Weintraub and Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg.

• For the Sin of Torture by Americans: By Rabbi Simcha Y. Weintraub.

• Haggadah l'Yom Zechuyot Shel Adam: A Human Rights Haggadah: Rabbis Margaret Holub and Sheila Weinberg wrote a Human Rights Haggadah for Rabbis for Human Rights. The Haggadah was edited by Gilah Langner and recently published in the journal, Kerem. You can think of using the Hagadah in a variety of settings: a special service in synagogue, kiddush following Shabbat services or at a family gathering at home.

• Passover Economic Justice Hagaddah: This Hagaddah on economic human rights for use in the Pesach Seder was brought together and edited as a Shalom Center project by Lee Moore, on behalf of, and for distribution by, Rabbis for Human Rights North America and Rabbis for Human Rights Israel in 2003.  

• Next Year May We Be Free: Discussion Questions for Your Seder by Rabbi Ed Feld and Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster.

 

• Misheberach for Victims of Torture: A beautiful prayer of support and compassion for victims of torture by Rabbi Gilah Langer. The prayer can be used during synagogue services or before an anti-torture program to remind us of the important spiritual dimensions of our holy work.

 

• First Nail in the Sukkah: Prepared for Sukkot 2005/5766 by Rabbi Margaret Holub.

• Hashkiveinu: Asking God to Shelter with the Promise of Peace for All Those Who Suffer: A prayer for victims of torture by Rabbi Ed Feld.

• Service for a Gathering to Address U.S.-Sponsored Torture: Created by Rabbi Margaret Holub.

 

• Al Chet: A Public Confession for the Sin of Torture for Yom Kippur 2007/5768 by Rabbi Ed Feld.

 

• Embracing Justice: Alternative Educational and Prayer Materials in Celebration of Yom Ha'Atzmaut 2008 for Israel's 60th Independence Day – These materials were used as part of an alternative mincha service during the 2008 RHR-NA Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration in New York City. Rabbi Simkha Weintraub, who compiled these texts, led services with noted singer-songwriter Debbie Friedman, z”l.

 

• Mussar Practice for Torture Awareness Month by Rabbi Margaret Holub.

 

• A Family Prayer for the Lighting of Candles and the Blessing of Challah: Prepared for Rosh Hashanah, 2008/5769.

 

• A Prayer for Human Rights Day by Rabbi Brant Rosen.

 

• A Prayer for Human Rights by Rabbi David Freidenreich.

 

• An Interfaith Human Rights Prayer from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

 

• Prayer from the National Summit on Torture, September 11, 2008 by Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster. 

 

• Prayer from the National Summit on Torture, September 12, 2008 by Rabbi Charles Feinberg. 

• Ideas for a Human Rights Service by Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster.
  

• A Misheberach for Victims of Slavery. A beautiful prayer of support and compassion for victims of slavery, written by Rabbi Joshua Boettiger, that can be used during synagogue services or before an anti-trafficking event, to remind us of the spiritual dimensions of our holy work.

 

• Taking Action for Justice: A Human Rights Prayer: This prayer for Human Rights Shabbat 2009, written by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone, calls for the strength to take action to end modern-day torture and slavery.