My Heritage

A GLORIOUS heritage is mine,

Attained through blood and tears,

Enhaloed of Light Divine,

My mission’s truth appears;

The olden benedictions crown

The strife of exiled years.

The noblest heritage is mine,

That valiant heart may know,

For annals of my Past enshrine

Life’s boundless depths of woe;

While Memory’s body watchword kept

Great Freedom’s light aglow!

E’en from the Ghetto’s drear abode

Hope’s world-wide message sped,

’Neath cruel Persecution’s load,

Though brave hearts truly bled!

And tyrant scorn in bitter tears,

Steeped Israel’s daily bread.

The suffering of long ages borne

With trust of faith sublime,

Now hail the radiance of the morn,

As joy-bells sweetly chime;

Grant Israel’s heritage of Peace,

Lord! over Space and Time.

To all who guard the ancient fane,

The purpose high and true,

The inspiration’s holiest aim

Endow with strength anew!

Keep from the worldliness of strife

The heart-life of the Jew!

The glorious heritage is mine!

The honored name I bear,

Refulgent with the Light Divine,

Empowers to Do and Dare!

To conquer Prejudice and Wrong—

In victory o’er despair!