By Ace Leveen, Co-Founder JCAN NYC
Green Faith is calling us to “confront this moment with moral clarity and collective action. We are calling for the repeal of HR 1 (known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’) and renewal of the Federal government’s commitment to justice.” On August 28, 2026 I joined a pilgrimage in New York City in support of this campaign as a member of JCAN NYC along with fellow member Joan Seidman.
I had never been on a pilgrimage (in contrast to marches and rallies). After inspiring remarks by a multi-faith group of clergy in front of the Federal Plaza in Manhattan we slowly made our way across the Brooklyn Bridge to head toward the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park in support of those detained by ICE. We sang songs and then, even more powerfully, walked in silence accompanied by a lone drum beat. My heart beat along as I felt a deep solidarity with those of all faiths to continue the struggle for justice, peace and care of our one precious earth. As we crossed the bridge many tourists enjoying the view stopped and read our signs, heard our songs and took some photos. What a hopeful moment. For more information on this campaign go to https://usa.greenfaith.org/campaign/covenant-for-our-future/
On the day of the pilgramage, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, was just 11 days away and at pilgrimage’s end Rabbi Lisa Grant offered words of prayer:
Today is the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, a time of introspection and taking stock of our lives as we come close to the holiest time of the year in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah begins two weeks from tonight. One of the central prayers of the Rosh Hashanah service celebrates God’s majesty in our world. It is designed to be an experience of awe and wonder to inspire us to serve a larger purpose in our lives.
And that is why we are gathered here today, at this spot, for this purpose. To raise our voices against the so so many injustices in our world, to stand in solidarity with immigrants who did nothing wrong other than try to make a better life for themselves and their families. To acknowledge that the climate crisis is of our own making and that it is in our hands to stem the tide of disasters plaguing our world.
The prayer we recite is called the Great Aleynu, meaning it is on us – Aleynu l’shabayach l”adon ha’kol. It is on us to praise the Holy One, the creator of all. To acknowledge the greatness of the works of creation - It is on us, to honor and do all that is in our power to fix our oh so broken world.
When we recite this prayer on Rosh Hashanah, many prostrate themselves completely on the ground to acknowledge our humility and our full-bodied acceptance of this mission. We are reminded this task not just on RH but every time we pray as the Aleynu is part of every service in Jewish liturgy.
Marcia Falk, a contemporary feminist poet offers this interpretive translation of the Aleynu prayer.
It is ours to praise the beauty of the world
even as we discern the torn world.
For nothing is whole that is not first rent
and out of the torn we make whole again.
May we live with promise in creation’s lap,
redemption budding in our hands.
May the favor of the divine presence, our God, be upon us; let the work of our hands prosper, O prosper the work of our hands! Psalm 90:17
Rabbi Lisa Grant August 28, 2026