Choose one or more of these terms: Sovereign of the world. Almighty G‑d. Master of the Universe. (Do not use “Father in Heaven” and the like.)

Look favorably upon the mayor and the members of the City Council of our great city of (Location), and bestow upon them and all of us gathered here today the joy of life, good health and prosperity.

Bless these people, chosen to make laws and decisions for the citizens of our city, with wisdom and understanding in their noble pursuit of justice and equality.

This is not only a civic responsibility but also a holy endeavor. Our tradition teaches that G‑d gave mankind the Seven Universal Laws through Noah, including the instruction to foster a moral society governed by law.

Our tradition teaches that You gave all humanity the Seven Noahide Laws—universal principles of justice, reverence for G‑d, respect for life, honesty, family, and compassion. These timeless values remind us that freedom flourishes only when guided by morality and responsibility.

I will begin this prayer with an act of charity.

It behooves us to reflect on the statement In G‑d We Trust printed on our currency, to appreciate that all our success is a blessing from above and we ought to utilize these blessings to spread goodness and kindness, one routine action at a time, thereby fostering unity and friendship, preparing the world for an era of true peace and tranquility.

In the spirit of unity and the power of a single deed, I take this opportunity to place this dollar bill - upon which is printed IN G-D WE TRUST - into a charity box. The charity box reminds us of our obligation and opportunity to be a force of goodness and sharing for our families, our neighbors, and society at large.

Next week marks the beginning of the Jewish month of Elul. This month is a time for introspection and self-improvement in preparation for the Jewish New Year, celebrated on Rosh Hashanah, which is about 5 weeks away.

Throughout the month, it is customary to blow a Shofar, a ram’s horn, in a specified series of sounds. The simple sound of the Shofar serves as a spiritual wake-up call to us all. It reminds us that our existence on earth serves a divine purpose and goal.

It reminds us of our mission and capacity to make this world a better place by leading lives rich with meaning and guided by a moral compass. A life suffused with acts of charity and caring for others.

On the Jewish calendar, this week is the first of the Jewish New Year. Last Tuesday and Wednesday, Jews around the world celebrated the new year on the festival of Rosh Hashanah with the sounding of the Shofar - a ram’s horn.

The simple sound of the Shofar serves as a spiritual wake-up call to us all. A reminder that our existence on earth is for a divine purpose and goal. To make this world a better place by leading lives rich with meaning and guided by a moral compass. A life suffused with acts of charity and caring for others.

This coming Wednesday evening and Thursday will be Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which teaches us that even when we fail in our duties, we can correct the past and make good resolutions for the future.

This week, Jews in (Location) and throughout the world are celebrating the Jewish festival of Sukkot. A holiday in which we commemorate the miraculous ways G‑d provided our ancestors as they journeyed in the desert for forty years to the Promised Land. Although they were laden with plenty of treasures from their former captors, there was simply no way to secure proper accommodations for a few million people in the wilderness – regardless of the price! They were provided shelter, food, water and security directly from G‑d.

Therefore, for one week, we are commanded to live in a “Sukkah”. A structure with walls sturdy enough to brave the wind, but roofed exclusively with foliage separated from the ground. The exposure to the elements and the relative insecurity of the sukkah remind us of the precarious conditions our ancestors faced in the infancy of their nationhood, and that G‑d is the ultimate provider of all our needs. This is an exercise in gratitude and therefore appropriately called “The Season of Rejoicing” as we acknowledge the kindness granted to us each and every day.

In the beginning of G‑d’s creation of Heaven and Earth, the earth was desolate and dark, and the divine spirit hovered above the waters. And G‑d said, “Let there be light, and there was light.”

Darkness is not new. It’s been part of our world’s narrative from the very beginning - and the first recorded divine action in the Torah is the fact that G‑d created light.

Darkness and light are not two opposites of the same realm. If they were of the same kind, logic would dictate that one would need an equal amount of one to cancel out the other. But everyone knows this is not true. In a vast space filled with utter darkness, one needs to shine only a single light, and much of it will go away.

The opening narrative of our Torah teaches us all we need to know about battling every type of darkness. Identifying it is a start, but fighting it on its terms is futile. The only way to banish darkness is G‑d’s way, by introducing light.

The Jewish world is currently studying the chapters of the Bible focused on the story of Abraham, an individual who had the courage to discover the truth and share his newfound awareness of G‑d with everyone with grace and generosity.

Shunned and mocked at first by even his closest associates, he did not have it easy. Called upon to sacrifice his life for his beliefs, he did not hesitate to affirm his devotion to G‑d and ultimately gained the respect and admiration of all humanity. He introduced to the world such noble values as hospitality and sharing, and his legacy continues to this day.

As G‑d declared, “I cherish Abraham because he instructs his children and his household after him to keep G‑d’s ways by acting with righteousness and justice.”

Abraham’s life of service and leadership paved the way for a better, more ethical world. The timeless lessons of Abraham’s fascinating life beacon to us all today: Stand up for what is right - and be confident that a better tomorrow is on the horizon.

Sovereign of the World, grant us all the wisdom and courage to apply the powerful lessons of Abraham so that we may be able agents of goodness and peace to ourselves, our families, our communities, and the entire world.

This week the Jewish world is studying the Biblical story of Jacob’s ladder. Fleeing his brother’s evil plans to kill him, Jacob falls asleep on the Temple Mount and, in his dream, sees a huge ladder rooted in the earth that reaches the heavens. Angels are climbing up and down the ladder, and G‑d promises Jacob that all will turn out for the best.

While one person's dream may be private, Jacob’s ladder carries a profound message for all humanity. Our life is a continuous journey of connecting heaven and earth. While we must focus on ensuring our physical and material well-being, we must always be cognizant of a higher purpose and goal. That our days and nights do not revolve only around earthly matters, but that we create a ladder or a bridge between the physical and the spirit.

To always be aware of the divine blessings in our lives and to ensure that we continue to be agents of goodness, kindness, unity, liberty, and justice to the world around us.

In two weeks we will celebrate Chanukah. It commemorates a great miracle that occurred over 2000 years ago in ancient Israel. Oppressed by a ruthless enemy that endeavored to destroy the treasured traditions of the Torah, a small band of devout and courageous Jews - famously known as the Maccabees - revolted against their oppressors and miraculously won the war.

After regaining control of the Holy Temple, they found only one day’s worth of ritually pure oil to kindle the Menorah, the ritual candelabra. Undeterred, they lit up the lamps and hoped for the best. A great miracle occurred, and the one day’s supply of oil burned for eight days and nights.

Each year, we celebrate the miracle of the oil and religious freedom by lighting a Menorah. Starting with one candle on the first night, we add another candle each night until the eighth night. The lesson of the Menorah is simple yet profound.

In a world of darkness, all it takes is one single flame - one selfless good deed - to usher in a reality of light and hope. However, once you have lit one flame, it is crucial to keep increasing it. Never suffice with the positive accomplishments of yesterday. A new day brings fresh opportunities for goodness and kindness.

The Chanukah flames tell us a story. The story of how we can brighten our world every day through routine, consistent acts of goodness and kindness.

On the Jewish calendar, this week is the first of the Jewish month of Adar. It is the month in which we celebrate the holiday of Purim, commemorating the salvation of the Jewish people from the genocidal schemes of the evil Haman in the ancient Persian empire over two millennia ago, as described in the book of Esther.

The miracle of our survival gave birth to a holiday observed with boundless joy, and the entire month is considered a month of joy. Although joy is a mood, we have a moral obligation to be joyous all the time. Not by ignoring the real problems we face, but by realizing that G‑d, the creator and master of the universe, guides every detail of reality and has our best interest in mind. When we appreciate that we inhabit a world guided by detailed divine providence, not a lawless jungle, we are never crushed by our circumstances and can face everything joyfully.

Joy is boundless. It brings people together and makes everything possible.

Next week the Jewish world will celebrate the holiday of Purim, the anniversary of the miracle recorded in the biblical book of Esther. In synagogues and homes worldwide, the book will be read twice, inspiring us to apply its lessons in our daily lives.

When Mordechai asked his cousin, Queen Esther, to use her influence to avert Haman's diabolical plot of genocide, she was frightened. She didn't believe she had much chance of success, and the attempt would put her life at risk.

Mordechai rebuked her for this cowardice: "If you are silent at this time, relief and rescue will come to the Jews in some other way, but you and your family will be lost. And who knows? Perhaps it was for just such a time that you achieved royalty." You did not get where you are by accident; G‑d put you there, and for a reason. It may well be that G‑d made you queen to give you this opportunity to act for your people and go down in history as a heroine. If you let it go, G‑d will find another way to achieve His will, but you and your whole family will be consigned to infamy.

The lesson is clear. We did not achieve our respective positions by accident, or by our own efforts; G‑d selected us and put us there so that we could do His will. When we are challenged to do what is right rather than what is convenient or safe, we must choose what is right.

We pray that we always ensure that the meaning of Passover becomes visible in our daily lives. The biblical narrative of the exodus is the story of the Israelites being redeemed from Egypt. The Biblical Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitzrayim – which means limitations and boundaries. Today, we are all enslaved to personal limitations, and we pray to be delivered from those obstacles that limit our potential, to create a better future for ourselves, our families, our city, and the entire world.

We pray to be grateful for what we have, and rejoice in what we can become. Let us pass over our personal shortcomings, and let us rise from despair to freedom.

After Passover, the festival of redemption, Jews traditionally count the days until the anniversary of the revelation at Sinai, which occurred seven weeks after the Exodus.

After the Israelites were granted their freedom, they joyfully counted down the days until they would be told of their responsibilities at Sinai. How they would play an integral part in perfecting our universe together with all that exists.

We count the days to show that every day is truly valuable. Time is our most precious commodity, and it is up to us to make every moment count. Use our time to bring healing and joy to others, bringing peace and tranquility to ourselves and the entire world.

Next week, the Jewish community will start celebrating the two-day festival of Shavuot, the anniversary of the revelation at Sinai, which occurred 3,338 years ago. During that historic event, G‑d communicated the famous Ten Commandments as they are recorded in the Bible. These Ten Commandments contain lofty theological messages as well as clear, self-evident prohibitions against murder and theft. This teaches us that trust and faith in the A-lmighty are truly genuine only when it is evident in our everyday behavior. Conversely, only the constant awareness of the Supreme Divine Being can truly motivate a life of morality and purpose.

This week we study the Bible narrative of the procedure the Israelites followed throughout their forty-year journey through the desert to the Promised Land. The divine cloud that hovered over the Tabernacle would ascend, indicating that it was time to travel forward to the next destination.

While the Israelites packed their tents, the Levites hurriedly dismantled the Tabernacle and loaded its various parts onto their designated wagons. A trumpet blast signaled the beginning of the journey, and the entire camp of several million strong marched forward. When the cloud stopped, the Levites reconstructed the Tabernacle under it, and the Israelites camped around it in the designated pattern.

There was no set schedule as to how long they would camp in a specific area. At times, they were stationary for years, and sometimes the cloud signaled a new journey after only one night! Regardless of the convenience or lack thereof, the Bible states, “At G‑d’s bidding they encamped, at G‑d’s bidding they traveled.”

This gives us a powerful lesson for our own lives. Wherever we find ourselves on the journey of life, we must remember that G‑d sets our path, and every stop is an opportunity to perpetuate goodness and bring light to places where darkness prevails. To accomplish the divine task of perfecting our world one step at a time.

On the Jewish calendar, this week commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people from their homeland close to 2,000 years ago. Our sages state that the destruction and subsequent exile resulted from the senseless hatred and division rampant in society at the time.

The vessel for G‑d’s blessing is unity and peace. While we are all entitled to our opinions and views, we must learn to disagree without being disagreeable.

When remembering the Holocaust, we can choose to focus on how dark it was and all that was so tragically lost - which we must do- but we should also be mindful of the tremendous light that shone forth from the millions who were imprisoned and affected by Nazi tyranny but whose spirit never succumbed to the darkness and sought to help others to the point of literal self-sacrifice.

Darkness can manifest in many ways, but light can neutralize it every time. It is up to us. Every human being possesses the light necessary to combat the darkness we face. It just needs to be revealed.

As the nazis marched millions to their deaths, many of them sanctified G‑d’s name with the cries of Shema Yisrael and by invoking the age-old belief in the arrival of Moshiach. Even in their darkest hour, they knew that light was still possible.

We must follow their call and recognize that by doing one mitzvah and encouraging others to do so as well, we can rid our world of the age-old darkness of hatred, jealousy, and apathy and usher in an era of global peace and tranquility for all.

We gather today with gratitude as we commemorate 250 years since the founding of the United States of America. We thank You for the blessings of liberty and for the generations of Americans whose courage, sacrifice, and service have preserved the freedoms You have endowed all people with.

We recall the teaching of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, that difference need not lead to division. True unity is achieved when people recognize that, despite their differences, they are all Your creations, endowed with dignity and purpose.

Almighty G‑d, teach us to listen before we judge, to understand before we criticize, and to seek common ground before conflict. Help us build communities marked by mutual respect, kindness, and a shared commitment to the common good.

Let us be inspired by the shining example of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson, who taught that every individual, and in fact, every individual action, has an impact on the entire universe. The Rebbe emphasized the importance of education and good character and instilled hope for a brighter future in the lives of countless people in America and across the globe.

The Rebbe taught that education, in general, should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career; rather, the educational system must pay more attention, indeed the main attention, to the building of character, with emphasis on moral and ethical values.

Education and Sharing Day is observed annually on the anniversary of the Rebbe’s birth, in tribute to his commitment to teaching the next generation of Americans the values that make our country strong. This day gives Americans the opportunity to pause and recognize our responsibility to ensure our young people have the foundation needed to lead lives rich in purpose and fulfillment.

A call to all residents of (Location) to reflect on the vital role of education in preparing our youth to be the leaders of tomorrow, with an emphasis on inspiring them of their moral and ethical obligation to serve a cause greater than self and by the anchor of virtues, including courage and compassion.

Based on traditional interpretations of the Bible, the Rebbe taught that our turbulent world is a divine garden, and we are its gardeners, revealing its true beauty through acts of goodness and kindness.

The Rebbe taught that every individual, and every individual action, impacts the entire universe. He emphasized the importance of education and good character and instilled hope for a brighter future in the lives of countless people in America and across the globe.

On the brink of the exodus, Moses gathered the Israelites and spoke to them not of the promised land or the long walk ahead, but of the duty of parents to educate their children, repeating similar messages until his final days. Why the obsession with Education? Because to defend a country we need a strong army, but to defend a civilization we need good schools.

The great leader and teacher, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson, often emphasized the need to ensure that our schools’ mission not merely be to convey information and skills to their young charges, but rather to to influence their character, to teach them values, to raise them to be good citizens, decent human beings, and to fulfill the purpose for which You dear G‑d put humans on this earth in the first place.

This is not only the mandate of educators, but the responsibility of every adult person. Our actions affect the children around us. They ultimately emulate our example.

G‑d of mercy, look with favor upon the people gathered together here today who assist the medical professionals You have entrusted with the power of medicine.

Grant them clarity, wisdom, and foresight to use the strength of Your Spirit to faithfully and unerringly carry out their holy work.

They join you in a Divine mission. To perfect the world, and usher in the Messianic era: a time when people will no longer bear the pain and hurt of illness. A time when the suffering and agony of disease will be but a collective memory.

Dear G‑d, please illuminate our way and inspire our hearts to remain dedicated servants of humanity. We pray that our gathering today be an opportunity to gain strength and motivation to continue our crucial work.

As the Healer of all Flesh, we pray that you grant a speedy recovery and continued good health to all those in need of your blessings.

Al-mighty G‑d. Give us all assembled here today the wisdom and good judgment to appreciate the blessings of life and empathy for those who are suffering. As we grapple as a nation with tragedies near and far, we pray that pain and suffering end. May love, acceptance, and true brotherhood reign supreme, ushering in an era of true peace for the entire world.

Moments ago we proudly proclaimed this recognition and our commitment to unity and justice in our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance: “One Nation - Under G‑d – with Liberty and Justice for all.”

We don't need to agree on anything to be kind to one another.

A great sage once offered the following analogy. Three men were imprisoned in a dungeon, and food was thrown down to them through the opening above. In the pitch-black darkness, it was very difficult to eat the food. Two of them managed to work it out while the third, no matter how hard he tried, could not find a way to eat. He sat and wailed from hunger while one of his fellow prisoners worked unsuccessfully to help him out. After a while, he called out to the third prisoner and asked why he wasn’t helping their poor friend learn how to eat in the darkness, to which he responded, “Fool, I’m trying to find a way out of this place!”

In the intended lesson, both of them were wrong. Learning to live with the darkness is defeatist, and trying to escape the inescapable is unrealistic. Bringing light into the darkness is the way to go.

Maimonides famously declared that every individual must view the world as equally balanced between good and evil. One single positive action, one positive spoken word, and even a good thought can tip the balance and bring salvation to the world with the arrival of Moshiach.

Almighty G‑d, inspire us all to nurture an environment of love and acceptance. A deeper appreciation that within each individual lies untapped potential. In the words of the twelfth-century sage Maimonides, “Each person must view themselves as though the entire world were held in balance and with a single good deed, spoken word, or even thought, they could tip the scales,” ushering in the era of redemption as proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah when, “nation shall not lift the sword against nation, nor shall they learn war anymore.”

It reminds us that the entire world is measured by a giant scale where the sides of good and evil are equally balanced. One good deed, word, or thought from a single individual can tip the scales in the right direction and usher in an era of true peace and tranquility for the entire universe.

Please, G‑d, give strength to our elected officials to be cognizant of Your presence, so they can elevate the quality of life for everyone in (Location) and inspire us all to come together in unity. That we truly care for our peers, society, and our environment and work together to make our world a better and happier place for all.

May (Location) serve as a beacon of light, strength, and moral courage as we do our part in preparing the world for an era of global peace and tranquility. May this occur speedily in our times.

And let us say: Amen.

Give strength to our elected officials to be cognizant of Your presence and conduct their deliberations accordingly. Grant them the ability to turn adversity into opportunity and transform the hard challenges we face today into the seeds from which tomorrow's growth will sprout.

May (Location) serve as a beacon of light, strength, and moral courage as we do our part in preparing the world for an era of global peace and tranquility. May this occur speedily in our times.

And let us say Amen.

Al-mighty G‑d. Give us all assembled here today the wisdom and good judgment to appreciate life's blessings and to have empathy for those who are suffering. As we grapple as a nation with tragedies near and far, we pray that pain and suffering end. May love, acceptance, and true brotherhood reign supreme, and may this season of joy usher in an era of true peace for the entire world.

Now, let us say: Amen.