PRAYER:

 

A Prayer for International Human Rights Day

by Rabbi Brant Rosen

 

Ruach Kol Chai – Spirit of All that Lives:

 

Help us.

 

Help us to uphold the values that are so central to whom we are: human beings created B’tzelem Elohim– in the image of God. Help us to recognize that the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. The inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the world. May we find the strength to protect and plead the cause of the stranger among us, to ensure just treatment for all who dwell in our land.

 

Guide us.

 

Guide us toward one law. One justice. One human standard of behavior toward all. Move us away from the equivocation that honors the divine image in some but not in others. Let us forever affirm that the justice we purport to hold dear is nothing but a sham if it does not uphold the value of K’vod Habriot – basic human dignity for all who dwell in our midst.

 

Forgive us.

 

Forgive us for the inhumane manner in which we too often treat the other. We know, or should, that when it comes to crimes against humanity, some of us may be guilty, but all of us are responsible. Grant us kapparah – atonement for the misdeeds of exclusion we invariably commit against the most vulnerable members of society: the unwanted, the unhoused, the uninsured, the undocumented.

 

Strengthen us.

 

Strengthen us to find the wherewithal to shine your light into the dark places of our world. Give us ability to uncover those who are hidden from view, locked away, forgotten. Let us never forget that nothing is hidden and no one lost from before you. Embolden us in the knowledge that neshamot – human souls are neither disposable nor replaceable; that we can never, try as we might, lock away the humanity of another.

 

Remind us.

 

Remind us of our duty to create a just society right here, right now, in our day. Give us the vision of purpose to guard against the complacency of the comfortable – and the resolve in knowing that we cannot put off the cause of justice and freedom for another day. Remind us that the time is now. Now is the moment to create your kingdom here on earth.

 

Ken Yehi Ratzon. May it be your will. And may it be ours.

 

And let us say, Amen.

 

Originally published on Ritualwell.org

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

 

Calling for a tax on millionaires, Patriotic Millionaires promotes economic and political equality. Check out the values they promote including political equality, a livable wage, and fair taxes, as well as the tax legislation they have endorsed. 

 

Who lives in poverty? What are the causes of poverty? Poverty USA’s short video describes the complex web of poverty, how millions of people are trapped in this web, and how we can begin to change these systems to eliminate poverty.

 

Take time to read Poverty USA’s Stories of Hope to learn more about the root causes of poverty and examples of assistance and empowerment, including stories about food insecurity; supporting immigrant communities; busing, segregation, and education reform; and restorative justice.

 

What is hunger? What causes hunger? Bread for the World explains what hunger is, its causes, and how we can solve the problem of hunger.

 

Challenging policies that privilege a small number of wealthy individuals over the rest of the population, the Poor People’s Campaign’s National Fact Sheet highlights policies and legislation that contribute to the rise in poverty across the nation and provides links so that we can learn about related issues such as income inequality, the Child Tax Credit, SNAP benefits, healthcare, ecological devastation, and military spending. Likewise, their State Fact Sheets narrow in on each state to assess the current situation and offer proposals for a moral revival.

 

For more information about organizations dedicated to income inequality and basic human rights, click here.

 

ACTION:

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Fund Affordable Housing

According to recently released survey data by the U.S. Census Bureau, 43% of households earning $50,000 or less were spending over half of their income on rent.  Right now, a full-time worker needs to earn $25.82 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental home and $21.25 per hour to afford a modest, one-bedroom rental home. The Coalition on Human Needs urges us to tell Congress to fund affordable housing.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Demand Congress Act to Pass the Billionaire Minimum Income Tax  

In his State of the Union address, President Biden called on Congress to pass the Billionaire Minimum Income Tax, to ensure households worth over $100 million are paying a fairer share in taxes. This legislation would ensure the very wealthiest Americans are paying an effective tax rate of at least 20% on their full income each year. Americans for Tax Fairness urges us to tell Congress to pass President Biden’s Billionaire Minimum Income Tax.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Demand Congress Act to Protect the Freedom to Vote

Across the country, state legislatures are moving to restrict voting rights and limit democracy. The Freedom to Vote Act addresses this threat by creating national standards to protect our freedom to vote, getting big money out of politics, combating partisan election subversion, and guaranteeing that congressional districts are drawn to give fair representation to all. People for the American Way invite us to tell Congress to bring this important legislation to a hearing and a vote in both chambers of Congress.  TAKE ACTION