as we prepare for the High Holy Days, this prayer from last year is still, sadly, relevant
In the morning it is written and in the evening it is sealed:
- Who shall die jogging
- Who shall die relaxing in their home
- Who shall die seeking help after a car crash
- Who shall die holding a cellphone
- Who shall die decorating for a party
- Who shall die leaving a party
We say their names: Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, Jonathan Ferrell, Renisha McBride, Stephon Clark, Claude Reese, Jordan Edwards, Sean Bell.
In the morning it is written and in the evening it is sealed
- Who shall die enjoying music
- Who shall die selling music
- Who shall die sleeping
- Who shall die studying the Bible
- Who shall die for a traffic violation
- Who shall die coming from the store
We say their names: Jordan Davis, Alton Sterling, Aiyana Jones, Breonna Taylor, the Charleston Nine, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin.
In the morning it is written and in the evening it is sealed:
- Who shall die playing cops and robbers
- Who shall die lawfully carrying a weapon
- Who shall die on the shoulder of the road with car problems
- Who shall die in the first hours of the new year
- Who shall die shopping at Walmart
- Who shall die cashing a check
We say their names: Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Freddie Gray, Corey Jones, Terence Crutcher, Oscar Grant, John Crawford, Yvonne Smallwood
In the morning it is written and in the evening it is sealed:
- Who shall die reading a book in their own car
- Who shall die taking a walk with their stepfather
- Who shall die reaching for their wallet
- Who shall die running away
- Who shall die asking a cop a question
- Who shall die begging just to breathe
We say their names: Keith Scott, Clifford Glover, Amadou Diallo, Walter Scott, Randy Evans, Eric Garner, George Floyd.
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone 