Dear Beloved Community,

At this time of great uncertainty and anxiety, it is very important to keep our connections, both with people and with the Source of All. Before computers, cell phones, newspapers and TV's, the custom in ancient Israel was to gather in the marketplace very Monday, Thursday and Shabbat to hear the words of Torah. Today, traditional synagogues read Torah on those days--- keeping the wisdom tradition alive as frequent input into our lives. As we are socially isolating to help the larger community and decrease the impact of this pandemic, Nahalat Shalom wants to help support our members, spiritually, by sending out messages of spiritual support on Mondays and before Shabbat. Some of these have been widely shared on the Internet, others are original. The intent is to keep ourselves focused on prayer, hope, compassion and responsible actions in the midst of this unprecedented situation.

In blessing, health and connection,
Rabbi Min Kantrowitz

A Prayer of Hope During this Pandemic

by Rabbi Naomi Levy

We are frightened, God,
Worried for our loved ones,
Worried for our world.
Helpless and confused,
We turn to You
Seeking comfort, faith and hope.

Teach us God, to turn our panic into patience,
And our fear into acts of kindness and support.
Our strong must watch out for our weak,
Our young must take care of our old.
Help each one of us to do our part to halt the spread of this virus

Send strength and courage to the doctors and nurses
In the frontlines of this battle,
Fortify them with the full force of their healing powers.
Send wisdom and insight to the scientists
Working day and night across the world to discover healing treatments.
Bless their efforts, God.

Fill our leaders with the wisdom and the courage
To choose wisely and act quickly.
Help us, God, to see that we are one world,
One people
Who will rise above this pandemic together.

Send us health God,
Watch over us,
Grace us with Your love,
Bless us with Your healing light.
Hear us God,
Heal us God,

Amen.