Olam
hesed yibaneh, yai dai … (Song by Rabbi Menachem Creditor: May the world
be built on kindness).
SURVIVOR: Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is
consumed with grief, my soul and my body.
FACILLITOR:
Be gracious to survivors, who have been consumed with grief, who
strive to cleanse their souls and reclaim their bodies.
SURVIVOR:
I am the scorn of all my
enemies and exceedingly of my neighbors, and a dread to my acquaintances; those
who see me in the street flee from me.
FACILLITOR:
They are taught entitlement to your body and here you walk among
them demanding autonomy.
SURVIVOR: I am forgotten out of mind like one who is dead; I am like a broken vessel.
SURVIVOR: I am forgotten out of mind like one who is dead; I am like a broken vessel.
FACILLITOR:
To remember you would be to take responsibility for their creeds
and deeds that have led to your trauma, so they choose to forget.
SURVIVOR: For I have heard the slander of many; fear was on every side;
while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life.
FACILLITOR:
But in spite of their slander, you have been brave. In spite of
their counsel, you live on.
Group:
Let God’s face shine upon you. Let you not feel ashamed; let the
wicked be ashamed. Be of good courage, and let your heart be strong.[1]
Olam
hesed yibaneh, yai dai …
FACILLITOR:
When Tamar was raped by Amnon, she tore her clothing and bore signs
of grief out into the streets, wailing, even as her brother Absalom told her to
keep quiet. We come together now to support you in your own decision to be as
vocal or quiet about your experience as you choose, even as you, too, perform
this k’riah to mark your grief with us. [2]
Survivor
tears pillowcase (it may be the very same one on which her head lay as she was
assaulted, or it may be symbolic, and old one dug out of the closet or a brand new
one bought just for this occasion) and recites:
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Rend your garments and not your heart, for God is gracious and
compassionate, and full of kindness.
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קִרְעוּ בִּגְדֵיכֶם וְאַל לְבַבְכֶם,
כִּי-יי חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם, וְרַב-חֶסֶד[3]
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Group:
Wherever you go, we are there with you; whatever your need, we are
beside you. Be strong, be strong, and
may we all be strengthened.
Olam
hesed yibaneh, yai dai …
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