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The opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence provides:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Have you ever taken a moment to consider how incredible that sentence is. No country before, or since, has stated it better. While far from perfect, no country has, in practice, been better to its citizens, including us Jews.
Unimpressed with what the Declaration of Independence means to the Jewish people? Look at what President George Washington wrote to the Jewish people of Newport in 1790:
It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my Administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and Fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
Because of the 24-hour news cycle, social media, and because of the huge surge in antisemitism and the seeming acceptability of hate toward the Jewish people, it may be harder to recognize how lucky we are to be living in this country, at this time. Even with its the flaws, America the beautiful still represents the best of what humanity can dream. Can we do better? Of course. We should each make it a goal to make it a better country today than it was yesterday, and a better country tomorrow than it is today. We call this Tikkun Olam. It is a core value of our people to make the world better.
Read the prayer below, which was written in 1945, and hear the echoes of its message today. The work of “creating a more perfect union” continues.
Do not forget to help the JCC celebrate 75 years of Fatih, Family, Friends, and Fun. There are many, many opportunities for you to assist the JCC to continue its mission of enriching Jewish life on and around our beautiful Island!
A Prayer for the Fourth of July written by Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan in 1945
(From the Open Siddur Project Opensiddur.org)
That America Fulfil the Promise of Its Founding
O God, who is Liberator and Redeemer, Lawgiver and Judge,
who rules over all mankind
and presides over the destinies of nations,
we invoke your continued blessing on our Republic,
which your grace called into being,
and your love has sustained to this day.
May America remain loyal
to the principles of the Declaration of Independence,
and extend their application
to ever widening areas of life.
Keep out of our life all manner of oppression,
persecution, and unjust discrimination;
save us from religious,
racial and class conflicts;
may our country be a haven of refuge
to the victims of injustice and misrule.
Instruct us in the art of living together,
of reconciling differences of opinion
and averting clashes of interest,
of helping one another
to achieve a harmonious and abundant life.
Give us the wisdom to elect to leadership capable,
conscientious (people), (people) of integrity
who will govern our people
according to your law of righteousness.
Bless the enterprise of the American people,
that they may utilize the natural resources of the land
for the highest good of all (people).
May America be ever hospitable
to new revelations of truth in science and philosophy,
ever sensitive to the appeal of beauty in nature and art,
ever responsive to the call of duty
and the spirit of religious consecration and worship;
And may Americans so love their country
that they shall withhold no sacrifice required
to safeguard its life and to fulfil its promise;
That the Star-Spangled Banner,
the symbol of our American democracy,
may ever wave o’er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
(PS: Don’t forget to join the JCC for our beach service next Friday, July 11th, at 6:00 PM, on 24th street in Spray Beach! On July 4th we are in the building at 6:00 PM)
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