By Eileen Levinson
Recustom
LONDON, England — As we enter Shabbat, our hearts and minds are heavy with the loss and devastation in Los Angeles. We are praying diligently for all those who are affected by the wildfires, and those who are working so hard to keep people, animals, and homes safe.
Recustom originated while I was living in Los Angeles, with deep inspiration and support from the vibrant and creative Jewish community there. Many of our closest supporters, allies, and partners are in the Los Angeles area, and every time I return to visit, I am engulfed in a sense of comfort and home. To all of you navigating this devastation—I see you, and I hope that Recustom’s collection of rituals can be a source of comfort and peace when you’re ready.
For anyone looking to help, I encourage you to visit the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles’s Wildfire Crisis Relief page. If you are able, please consider making a monetary donation to support the Los Angeles community during this time of great need. As the true scope of the devastation unfolds over the next few weeks and months, your financial support will go a long way in supporting those who need to rebuild.
And for those of you like me, who are watching the horror unfold on the news while far away, I invite you to join me in lighting an extra candle for all who are affected by this tragedy and for those working tirelessly to help. Together, let’s recite this prayer:
We Must Pray and We Must Do:
A Prayer for Lighting Candles by Trisha Arlin
We give thanks for the ones who offer prayers.
We give thanks for the ones who take action.
We cannot heal the world without both,
We must pray AND we must do.
When so many people
Have vanished into the darkness
We light these candles
And say the blessings
And pray for those who have been injured or killed.
And pray for those who are worried and homeless and hungry.
And pray for those who are lost to themselves.
May we all be joined in yearning holy conversation
And pray when prayer is needed.
We must pray AND we must do.
When so many people
Have vanished into the darkness
We light these candles
And bless those who are working so hard to make things better.
May we join with the stubborn
Of all places and religions and races and gender and sexual orientations,
Who, when times are hard,
Refuse to disappear,
Those who fight so hard for their communities
With food and advice and shelter and organizing and work and love and insistence and resistance.
May we all be joined in holy struggle
And act when action is needed.
We must pray AND we must do.
We give thanks for the ones who offer prayers.
We give thanks for the ones who take action.
We cannot heal the world without both,
Blessed is the Source of Light!
We are holy with the obligation to speak goodness and do good
As we light these Shabbat candles
We will pray and we will do.
Amen.
Sending peace and healing,
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Eileen Levinson is the founder and executive director of Recustom, a group that encourages new Jewish rituals.