Rabbi Arnold Resnifcoff
U.S. Navy Chaplain, Retired
Washington, DC
Date of Prayer: 08/08/2023
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Almighty God, this month is filled with memories of war:
Guns of August 1914, the First World War, the war to end all wars, we prayed. How wrong we were?
Bombs of August 1945, unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki; built to win and end a second global war, and usher in a time of peace that never came to pass.
In Ukraine, brave citizens fight back since Russia has let slip the dogs of war; while here a different war: shootings in our schools, shops, and sites of prayer.
In politics, we find peace and common ground elusive. Compromise is now seen as weakness as some views drown out our neighbors' fears.
We need leaders brave enough to lead the way they thought they would before they came to power, who remember dreams of who they would be if they only had the chance.
Great heroes helped us win world wars. May heroic leaders help unite us to seek peace at home.
And may we say, amen.
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