Conservative Judaism/Morning Prayer

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Expert: - 3/29/2004


Question
Dear Rabbi Lerner,

I an a Catholic who loves my Catholic faith and I love the Jewish faith also. I heard a Jewish Morning Prayer recited and it was a beautuful prayer. I'd like a copy of it to pray. Its introduction has a humble beginning approaching God. It contains lines like: protect me from my enemies, keep me from dishonest men, spare me the cruelty of another, keep me free from disease protect me from a ill intentioned companion and so on. It is a beautiful prayer. If you know This prayer would you send me a copy.

Also, how would I be received if I visited a synagogue for services.  Would I be welcome?  I want to understand my own faith more by understanding Judaism also.

Thank you,
Frank  

Answer
Dear Frank,

Thanks for writing.

While I can't identify the prayer precisely from your description - it coudl be several - you suggest the obvious course to follow: go to the local synagogue where you will be welcomed without strings attached.

Speak to the Rabbi after services and/or make an appointment and you'll find the prayer together.

Best wishes for this holiday season for us both.

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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