Jewish tradition is rich with prayers and blessings for virtually every occasion and every moment of the day.  For instance, upon waking up from sleep, one should say the Modeh Ani, “I am thankful before You, living and enduring King, for you have mercifully restored my soul within me.  Great is Your faithfulness.”  Then, after getting out of bed and washing your hands, another blessing is recited.  Step by step throughout the day, Jewish tradition honors the moments by acknowledging the Divine’s presence in our lives and expressing gratitude for creation.  Even after using the bathroom, a blessing is said, the Asher Yatzar, thanking God for creating us so completely and wondrously that our bodies are in good working order.  I love this feeling of continual reminders that our days and our lives, even the small moments we usually take for granted, are holy.

The last time I was on the Havenwood campus was Thanksgiving Day, when I offered a blessing to Lodge residents before their meal in the dining room.  I ended my prayer for that day with the Sheheecheyanu, translated from Hewbrew as “Who has given us life.”  This blessing is traditionally offered to mark a special occasion, when something is happening that occurs infrequently or is quite momentous.  It felt appropriate for that day, as I looked into the dining room and saw all the Lodge residents gathered together for the first time in months, though separated by plexiglass barriers.

As the HHH community is completing its vaccination process and our nation is embarking on an astounding endeavor to vaccinate the public, this blessing feels appropriate once again.  No doubt we still have hurdles ahead of us, and these new COVID variants present some uncertainty.  Still, we’re approaching an historic moment.  And so I invite you to join me in reciting the Sheheecheyanu:  

“Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and allowed us to arrive at this Time.”

Blessings & peace to you,

Jennifer, CPE Intern