Groundbreaking Ceremony Opening Prayer - June 4, 2006

Zeh ha-yom asah Adonay, nagilah ve-nismecha vo - This is the day that God has made, let us rejoice and celebrate!” (Psalms 118:24)

Eloheinu ve-lohay avoteinu - Our God and God of our ancestors, today our hearts are filled with joy as we begin to build a sanctuary to you. For 55 years, Shaare Tefila Congregation has served the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the greater Washington Jewish community. We have been a beit kenesset - a house of assembly – for many important communal events. We have been a beit midrash - a house of study – for thousands of students, young and old alike. We have been a beit tefilah - a house of prayer – providing support in times of tragedy and inspiration in times of great joy. We have done all these things in fulfillment of Your commandment in the Torah: “ve-asu li mikdash ve-shachanti be-tocham - Build Me a sanctuary so that I may dwell among them”. (Exodus 25:8)

And now, O Lord, we begin a new phase in our service to the community and our dedication to you. We are excited about the prospect of being able to continue to provide for the religious needs of our congregation. We are thankful for the hard work and tireless efforts of our very dedicated group of volunteers. Yet we are also anxious. Will this new building succeed? Will people come to pray and learn? We look to you, God, to reassure us and to strengthen our resolve. We pray to you to keep us focused on this sacred task. Let the 55 years of our history continue to motivate us. Let the continued loyalty of our charter members and the excitement of our new members forge common goals and continue to inspire us in a united purpose. We pray in the words of the Psalmist: “va-yehi no-am Adonay Eloheinu aleinu, u-ma’aseh yadeinu konenah aleinu u-ma’aseh yadeinu koneneihu - May the beauty of Adonay our God be upon us; may God establish for us the work of our hands; the work of our hands may God surely establish.” (Psalms 90:17) Amen. 

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