Dear Congregation,
This Shabbat we celebrate Yom Yerushalayim, the 51st anniversary of Jerusalem’s unification in 1967. Our siddur, Sim Shalom, offers several readings for this special day in our calendar. There are texts written by contemporary authors, and there are texts dating back to biblical times, each offering a different perspective on our connection with Jerusalem.
While there are many famous songs about Jerusalem, such as Yerushalayim Shel Zahav, Lakh Yerushalayim, Sisu et Yerushalayim (and many more!), I set myself the challenge of writing a new song for this year’s Yom Yerushalayim. Here is Sha’alu Sh’lom Yerushalayim, my setting of Psalm 122:6.
CLICK HERE to listen to Sha’alu Sh’lom Yerushalayim (Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem)
Psalm 122:6
Musical setting composed, arranged and recorded by Cantor Sarah Myerson (voice)
Reading over this psalm, I remembered a magnet I had bought in Jerusalem four years ago. It was an image of the Old City, etched in olive wood, and above the skyline was etched this phrase, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” I gave it to my grandmother (z”l), who passed away a year ago. It meant a lot to her, having never made it to Jerusalem herself. This memory was my inspiration for the melody.
I want to encourage you, if you haven’t ever visited Jerusalem, to think about how and when you might. It’s impossible to know what effect being physically present in the city might have on you, but you’ll never know if you don’t go!
We pray facing Jerusalem, we frequently mention Jerusalem in our psalms, in our haftarot and in our prayers. This is so different once you have your own experience of being in the place. Shavu’ot in Jerusalem brings the idea of pilgrimage to life, as thousands of Jews stream towards the kotel as the dawn breaks. Sukkot makes so much more sense in a place where it is just starting to be cool enough to sit in the shade of the Sukkah during the day, where it is still warm enough to be outside overnight. Jerusalem is one of the few places worldwide where we can celebrate the holiday of Shushan Purim. Even apart from the religious aspects, Jerusalem is a city unlike any other.
I would love to hear your reflections and experiences of Jerusalem. Wishing you Shabbat Shalom, and Yom Yerushalayim Sameah!
Cantor Sarah Myerson
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism