A prayer to end Antisemitism.

Do You Know Me?

Almost from the beginning, Lord, we have blamed one another!

Through our own fault we accompany the sinner in sin – but

Then we blame anyone but ourselves and work hard at denying

What we have done to be due to our fault, ignorance or malice.

Do you know me?

My blindness, Lord, is hard work, growing over my open eyes,

Year by year, unseeing myself and unseeing others, I see shapes,

Stereotypes, not simple people, but creations of my imagination,

Stalking the world and filling me with fear, rage and suspicion.

Do you know me?

You know where I worship – so you can disfigure or kill us.

You know where I live – so you can intimidate our families.

You know where I work – so you can invent your conspiracies.

You know who we are – so you can vent your blame on us.

Do you know me?

You, Lord, chose us of old, not because of our wealth, strength,

Intelligence, fraternity, wisdom or dominance but because we were

The weakest of nations and in the greatest need of your help,

Helping us, you showed your greatness to us and to the nations.

Do you know me?

Even in modern times, you keep calling us to come together,

To recognize that the variety of our ways belies a common calling,

To meet you, Lord, of the First Covenant, amidst the crises and the

Times in which we live, and to listen to the voice of Old calling us.

Do you know me?

You, Lord, know the terrible price of our social isolation, when we

Were corralled, herded, gassed and despoiled, our bodies marked with

What was done, the memories of those who lived, telling of what

Happened, remembering what was done in the hope of undoing …

Do you know me?

I met you in a synagogue and admired the Tabernacle of the Word, And prayed; I met you, my wife and I, in a European city with your Family and you talked of the Old and the New, the New you praised With the Old; I met you travelling and you answered many questions.

Do you know me?

Lord, you are the Faithful One, the promise of redemption is the core

Of the Covenant, which you ever renew, both throughout the Old and Into the New, bringing the nations with you, both whole peoples and Each one of us, my wife and I and those we have met, together in you.

Do you know me?

by Francis Etheredge, author of “Unfolding a Post-Roe World” and 12 other books on Amazon