Acknowledgments
Foreword: My Heart Is in the East ix Excerpts on Israel from the CCAR Platforms
Introduction
1. Prayers before Leaving for Israel
At a Congregational Service
Meditation for a Group
Meditation for an Individual
Shabbat Service prior to the Trip
Mi Shebeirach on Behalf of One Traveling to Israel
Mi Shebeirach Recited by the Traveler to Israel
T’filat HaDerech – The Traveler’s Prayer
At the Time of Departure
For a Trip to Israel
For Individuals, Families, and Congregations Traveling to Israel for the First Time
For Annual or Frequent Travelers to Israel
2. Prayers upon Arriving in Israel
Upon First Setting Foot in Israel
Meditation for a Group
Before Retiring on a First Night in Israel
3. Prayers and Readings for Visiting Special Sites
Jerusalem
Upon Seeing Jerusalem for the First Time
Upon Entering the Old City
The Kotel and Robinson’s Arch
Har Herzl
Upon Exiting Yad Vashem
Tel Aviv
Rabin Square or the Rabin Museum
Independence Hall
Caesarea
Tzfat
The Kinneret
The Dead Sea
Ein Gedi
For Other Bodies of Water
A Spring-Fed Stream
The Mediterranean Sea or the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat
For Mountains
Masada
4. Prayers for Unique Moments in Israel
When Planting a Tree in Israel
Tree Planting Prayer
When Visiting Kibbutzim or Other Agricultural Settlements
Where a Miracle Occurred
Where Idolatry Was Uprooted
When Visiting a Grave
At a Historic Synagogue
At an Archaeological Site, Museum, or Display of Antiquities
When Standing at or Crossing the Borders of the State of Israel 51 For Participating in Acts of Social Justice 52 Prayers for the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces 53 For the State of Israel 53 For the Israel Defense Forces 54 For Israeli Soldiers or Civilians Being Held Captive 55
5. Prayers for Specific Occasions
For B’nei Mitzvah Ceremonies in Israel
Recited by Parents Celebrating a Child’s Becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel
Mi Shebeirach for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel
Recited by a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel
Recited by a Bar/Bat Mitzvah at a Synagogue in Israel
For Dedicating Resources in Israel
For Attending a Convention in Israel
Readings for Peace and Fellowship
Interfaith Prayers for Peace
6. Prayers upon Leaving Israel
7. Prayers upon Returning Home
8. Blessings before and after Eating
Blessings for the Seven Species of the Land of Israel
For Fruit (grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates)
For Wine or Grape Juice
For Bread
Birkat HaMazon: Blessing after Eating—Short Form On Shabbat and Holidays
All Days
On Shabbat
On Yom Tov
All Days
9. Havdalah
The Wine or Grape Juice
The Spices
The Light
The Blessing of Separation
10. Songs of Israel
Afterword
Finding a Reform Congregation in Israel
Sources
