NEW YORK, NY—The Union for Reform Judaism and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have jointly released a new version of Birkat HaMazon, the brachot given after meals, that include the words “sour cream ( שָׂאוּעֵר כּרִים ),” in an effort to appeal to younger generations of Jews. The revised portion now reads as follows:





Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hazan et ha-olam kulo b’tuvo b’chen b’chesed b’rachamim. Sour cream. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֺלָם, הַזָּן אֶת־הָעוֺלָם כֻּלּוֺ בְּטוּבוֺ בְּחֵן בְּחֶסֶד וּבְרַחֲמׅים. שָׂאוּעֵר כּרׅים.





This approximately translates to the following: “Praised are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe, graciously sustaining the whole world with kindness and compassion. Sour cream.”





The Reform and Conservative Jewish movements explained in a statement released with this new version, “I guess sour cream is a food, even though it’s rather specific, but whatever.”





Siddur Sim Shalom will also include the phrase “oh baby ( בֵּבִּי אוֺ )” in the “emet” prayer and the words “doodoo doodoo ( דֻדֻ־דֻדֻ )” in “Adon Olam.” Future versions ofwill also include the phrase “oh baby ()” in the “emet” prayer and the words “doodoo doodoo ()” in “Adon Olam.”



