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Synagogues across the UK will pray for the safe return of missing
4-year-old Madeleine McCann this Shabbat.
It is now a fortnight since the little girl was abducted from her
parent's
villa in the Algarve, Portugal, and the Jewish community has joined
the nation's
anguish for her to be found.
While Portuguese police were continuing their investigation after
questioning three people and searching a nearby villa this week, TJ
has been working with orthodox, reform and liberal rabbis to compose
special prayers for congregations to recite this weekend.
Chief Rabbi Cabinet member Rabbi Yitzhak Schochet wrote and
distributed a prayer across the Orthodox community. It reads:
'May
it be your will, O Lord our G-d and G-d of our fathers, to lead
Madeleine McCann safely back to her parents along with other missing
children wherever they may be. May you grant strength and fortitude
to her parents in this difficult time and may they find the solace
they seek in the speedy return of their daughter in good health. May
you banish all evil and iniquity from off the face of the earth and
restore harmony and stability amongst all mankind. May this be Your
will and let us say, Amen.'
The UK's
34 Liberal Synagogues will recite a prayer written by Rabbi Pete
Tobias of the Liberal Synagogue Elstree, which reads: "Let us hold
in our hearts the thought of a terrified little girl, far away from
her grief-stricken parents...may God guide those who search for her
and give strength and courage to those who wait for her."
The Jewish community in the Algarve, where Kate and Gerry McCann
were staying with Maddy and their two-year-old twins, has also shown
concern.
Senior community figure Ralf Pinto said:
'Everyone
is taking about it. It is very sad, our thoughts are with the
family. My son once disappeared for ten minutes and even from that I
know the sick feeling you get. I don't
think there's
anything worse than losing a child.'
Meanwhile, the local Jewish community in the McCann's
home town of Leicestershire, has already been praying for Madeleine's
return.
Leicestershire Hebrew Congregation Rabbi Shmuli Pink told TJ:
'We
said prayers just after she went missing. People were very moved and
touched. People are following the news and are very concerned.'
He said the 125 families in the community would continue praying for
her this weekend.
Jewish community members have also helped contribute to the legal
case. TopShop tycoon Sir Philip Green has donated to a
'fighting
fund'
set up by the McCann's
lawyers yesterday to help pay their legal bills.
A spokesman for the Chief Rabbi's
Office said:
'We
share the concerns of the country over the fate and welfare of
Madeleine McCann and pray for her safe return.''
The community support has been welcomed by the McCann family. Kate
and Gerry McCann told TJ: "We have taken huge strength from the
prayers and support from people of all faiths |
