Arriving back at the hotel after a day in Cairo, we had an hour to prepare for Shabbat. I had passed this delicious looking Swiss Icecream bar in the hotel for the past couple of days. Susan Levy and I thought this would be a great way to get ready for Shabbat and we each had a scoop of creamy coffee ice cream that was a Swiss form of gelato.
Before I left for the trip, I prepared abbreviated services from the new Sha’ar Zahav prayerbook, which helped us lead a beautiful service. The usage of the prayerbook was intentional since it had both masculine and feminine language choices, creativity and inclusivity. It is a product of some of the best progressive values reflected through tradition. I asked each of the Jews to reflect on one of the prayers that spoke to them.
It was such a sweet service with Susan, Z and Betsy each sharing what Shabbat means to them. We sang the Shabbos psalms and concluded within each others’ embrace. I felt people did not just learn about Judaism but they had a chance to experience it through the lens of the love imagery of the mystic’s adoration of the Sabbath. It was also a collective time to be centered and feel a sense of peace and rest.
One o f the concluding prayers made me smile hearing our diverse group read it together:
And then all what has divided us will merge.
And then compassion will be wedded to power.
And then softness will come
to a world that is often harsh and unkind.
And then both women and men will be gentle.
And then both men and women will be strong.
And then no other person will be subject to another's will.
And then all will be rich and varied.
And then all will share equally in the earth's abundance.
And then all will care for the sick and the weak and the old.
And then all will nourish the young.
And then all will cherish life's creatures.
And then all will live in harmony with each other and the earth.
And then everywhere will be called Eden once again.
Judy Chicago
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