Vidui: Yom Kippur 5786

By Ana Kurzer- Zlotnick

This Vidui is partially inspired by Aurora Levins Morales and many other BIJOCSM artists and community leaders

We have prioritized our comfort over others safety 

We have silenced people by filling spaces with our own voices, instead of sharing that space
with others 

We have used our words in ways that divided our communities 

We have let fear hold us back from doing what is right

We have stolen land, culture and dreams from others 

We have opened the door for inclusion while failing to recognize that opening the door is not enough 

We have benefitted from the oppression of others

We have not allowed ourselves grace or compassion, and we have forgotten to honor our humanity

We have not protected our neighbors 

We have failed to center our ancestors and those yet to come in our community work and daily practices

We have exploited our Earth Mother and neglected her land

We have been led astray into believing that our pain is special, allowing our grief to consume us and holding us back from demanding safety and justice for all who suffer

We were given a broken world and we have broken it further 

We have forgotten that every life is precious and we must leave no one behind, it is all of us or none of us.