Prayers for the three missing Israeli teenagers |
June 20th 2014 Jewish communities across the world have expressed concern for the wellbeing of the three Israeli teenagers who went missing last week. As the mother of one of the boys said ‘All we want is to hug our children’. At the conclusion of Southgate Progressive Synagogue’s AGM last Wednesday, Rabbi Yuval Keren led prayers for the safe return of the boys.. Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism, who had spoken at the meeting added, ‘It is hard to imagine what these boys and their parents must be going through. The abduction of children and actions against civilians is wrong in all circumstances and will do nothing to further the cause of peace which would enable Israeli and Palestinian families. He forwarded to all Liberal rabbis and community leaders the following two prayers: Rabbi Yehoyada Amir, Chair of MARAM, the Reform Rabbinic Council in Israel wrote: "May it be your will, Lord our God and God of our ancestors, that you may lead to life and peace the abducted young men Eyal Ifrach, Gil-ad Sha'ar and Naftali Frenkel, and guide them to return safely to their families and loved-ones who fear for their safety; may you save them from the hands of an enemy and he who lurks them and all calamities, and may you send a blessing to all that they do; may you hear the voice of our prayer and the prayers of all those wishing upon peace and justice, life and goodness. You listen to entreaty and prayer. Blessed are you God, who hears our prayers. Amen." Our sister movement in the North America released the following prayer: God of the prisoner, Guardian of Israel, This dismay is almost too much to bear. Rock of Israel, ברוך אתה ה אלוקינו מלך העולם מתיר אסורים |