Halfway Through the High Holy Days

A Pre-Yom Kippur Prayer for Those Who Carry Us Toward Holiness

Makor HaKedushah

(Source of Holiness),

Halfway through these High Holy Days,

bless us with renewed strength

for the sacred work still before us,

for Yom Kippur waiting

just beyond the horizon.

Bless us as we face

the sermons still to sharpen,

the music still to make more melodious,

the details still to determine,

and the last-minute requests

that keep arriving.

Bless us all:

volunteers and board members,

greeters and ushers,

security and maintenance teams,

technicians and production teams,

youth workers and educators,

devoted staff and administrators,

executive directors and assistants,

musicians and choir members,

rabbis and cantors.

Holy One,

remind us to see ourselves

as You see us:

devoted, determined, doing sacred work.

Bless us with patience, purpose, and perseverance,

as together we carry our people

toward Sha'arei Selichah

(the Gates of Forgiveness).

Amen.