The arrival of a new year invites us to think beyond ourselves and consider the kind of world we want to help create. This thoughtful prayer calls on us to pursue justice, embrace compassion, and work toward peace for all people in the year ahead.

May we hold lovingly in our thoughts those who suffer from tyranny, subjection, cruelty, and injustice, and work every day towards the alleviation of their suffering.

May we recognize our solidarity with the stranger, outcast, downtrodden, abused, and deprived, that no human being be treated as “other,” that our common humanity weaves us together in one fabric of mutuality, one garment of destiny.

May we pursue the Biblical prophet’s vision of peace, that we might live harmoniously with each other and side by side, respecting differences, cherishing diversity, with no one exploiting the weak, each living without fear of the other, each revering Divinity in every human soul.

May we struggle against institutional injustice, free those from oppression and contempt, act with purity of heart and mind, despising none, defrauding none, hating none, cherishing all, honoring every child of God, every creature of the earth.

May the Jewish people, the state of Israel, and all peoples know peace in this New Year, and may we nurture kindness and love everywhere.

-Rabbi John L. Rosove