Chaverim y'karim - dear friends,

In anticipation of July 4th, I want to share a prayer we studied in a recent Lunch & Learn. "A Prayer for the Medina" (medinah = country or state in Hebrew), is found in the Norton Anthology of American Jewish Literature. The book's editors wrote about the prayer: "Written for the Beth Shalome Congregation of Richmond, Virginia, this Prayer for the Medina is typical of many that emerged from synagogues during the Revolutionary War period. Richmond’s was a small Jewish community, having just been settled toward the end of the Revolution. When George Washington proclaimed the first annual Thanksgiving Day in 1789, Jewish congregations, even tiny ones like this prepared for a service to held in the synagogue in which all would unite to give thanks."

The language speaks to the era and to ours as well. While the nation has changed mightily over the centuries, our hopes and wishes remain largely consistent. Perhaps you will want this one or the one following for your weekend's commemoration.

A Prayer for the Medina

Written (c. 1789) by Jacob Cohen (z”l)

When we call on thee, O righteous God, answer us.

Hearken to the voice of our cry and show us grace.

Have compassion on us and hearken to our prayer.

For thou, Most High God, hast removed distress far from us.

O gracious God, thou has[t] delivered us from all our enemies;

Thou has[t] redeemed us form those who rose up against us;

Thou has girded us with strength to smite the pride or our enemies;

In shame and disgrace they fell beneath our feet.

O God of Hosts, thou has set peace and tranquility in our palaces

And has set the President of the United States as our head [ruler?],

And in prayer we humble ourselves before thee, oh, our God.

Unto our supplications mayest Thou hearken, and deliver us.

A mind of wisdom and understanding set in the heart of our country;

May he judge us with justice; may he cause our hearts to rejoice and be glad.

In the paths of the upright may he lead us;

Even unto old age may he administer and judge in our midst.

Pure and upright be the heart of the one who rules and governs us.

May God Almighty hearken to our voice and save us.

We will prolong our prayer before God, our Redeemer.

May he guard and keep the Vice President, senators, and representatives of the United States.

May he give good sense and understanding to the officers of the courts.

May the hearts of the governors be upright and faithful.

May he prosper and bless our country,

And deliver us from the hand of outside enemies.

May our sons, in their youth be like growing plants.

May our daughters be like [cornerstones?]

May our storehouses be full and bursting from end to end, multiplying in places.

May our God bless all friends of our country and their judges,

And give glory to the Lord God, our Redeemer.

May Judah be saved and Israel dwell securely,

And May the Redeemer come to Zion, and let us say, Amen.

By way of contrast, allow me to share something a little more recent, with references to Langston Hughes, Woodie Guthrie, the Torah, and Emma Lazarus.

A Prayer for the Country

Written (c. 2007) by Sarah Rose Horowitz (z”l)

Ribono Shel Olam,

Let America Be America

Let it be my Land

Let it be your Land

From (the curvaceous hills of) California

to the New York Island

Let our tired, our poor, our huddled masses

(finally) breathe free

Let our leaders pursue justice, justice, (justice.)

Let them be mindful that we are all created equal, b’tzelem elohim

Protect our leaders from the seductions of power

Protect our right (to protest,) to insist we can do better

Protect us all from those who would do us harm

Let America be America

And let us say, Amen

I share these words on this week as we approach the 249th celebration of America's independence from England and the founding of our great nation. Democracy is fragile and, as has been said, is only as strong as the current generation that is willing to fight for its defense. There is both work to be done and much gratitude to give as well. I am very much aware of America's recent defense and aid to Israel in attacking the common enemy to Western Civilization, embodied in Iran, as a reminder of the uniqueness of this country that has come to our people's defense on more than one occasion and has given us a rich land to both grow in and contribute to. I know that we can embrace July 4th with gratitude and pride as well as a keen awareness to the sources and sites of tension which are a part of our American Republic.

May we work with dedication and commitment, compassion and strength to affirm, to uphold, and to guarantee the foundational values of this nation as a liberal democracy with liberty and justice for all!

Happy 4th of July!

L'shalom,

Rabbi Mark Cohn, 2 July 2025

Note: Our Friday night services have been following a reasonably regular schedule of 1st and 3rd Fridays ... as of this month we are switching to 2nd and 4th Fridays. As always, the list of upcoming services and events are included on the bottom of the email and on our website.

And: The banner, displayed above, was found on a Reddit site by someone (Deutschestexas) who describes himself as an Ashkenazi Jew, living in America who created this banner to highlight the home of America and Jews. He's got 12 stripes (12 tribes) with the 7-branched menorah (reminiscent of the great menorah of the Temple and Israel's State Emblem), and the Star of David, which for the creator is a somewhat universal sign of secular Jews (and a symbol which is not religious per se).