Rabbi Anna Wolfson – Co-Chair of the Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors – offered a prayer on behalf of the Jewish community at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.

Rabbis Debbie Young-Somers and Anna Wolfson at Westminster Abbey

Rabbi Anna, who is Director of Community Development at The Liberal Synagogue Elstree, chose an extract from the alternative readings in the Reform Siddur. She was joined in the procession by Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers, of Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue, who led last year’s blessing. The service was broadcast on BBC One.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in attendance along with the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior members of the Royal Family. The multicultural service featured music, poetry, dance and readings drawn from across the globe.

Rabbi Anna said: “We were asked to write or bring a blessing that touched on the theme of resilience, with a particular emphasis of the individual contributing to the whole. I chose one of my favourite readings and I felt it suited the tone perfectly. The piece is not credited in the Siddur, but I believe it was written by Rabbi Howard Cooper.”

You can read the blessing below:

The following text is taken from an interpretation of the Aleinu, a prayer which concludes each Jewish service with words of hope for a repaired and renewed world.

This is our hope, this is our security, in the light of eternity we have a significance we cannot measure. Together we build God’s kingdom. Our world is in the process of being repaired through us and within us. This is our redemption.

On behalf of the Jewish community, may the Commonwealth be blessed.