Yahrzeit and Mourner's Kaddish

 You are invited and encouraged to let Rabbi Dantowitz (rabbi@emeth.net) know the name and yahrzeit of your beloved ones who have departed from us. We will honor their memory by announcing their name at our synagogue during services. May you be comforted among all the mourners of Israel. You may also choose to remember your loved one in perpetuity by dedicating a plaque on Congregation Emeth's Memorial Board on the wall of our sanctuary. For details, download a Yahrzeit Plaque Order Form or contact our ritual committee. ritual@emeth.net In Jewish tradition, when the year of mourning is over, mourners are expected to return to a fully normal life. There are several occasions each year when our loved ones who have passed on are memorialized. The most significant of these is yahrzeit, the anniversary of the death, which is observed according to the Hebrew calendar. As is the case in all Jewish holy days, yahrzeit observance begins at night. A 24-hour candle is lit and one may attend synagogue to recite the Kaddish [the memorial prayer]. It is traditional to avoid attending any celebrations or parties on the day of yahrzeit, and some people fast on that day.

Mourner's Kaddish

The ancient words of the Mourner's Kaddish, while reminding us of our loved ones, offers the hope of a world where the Divine Presence is made known and peace fills our land and our lives.

Exalted and hallowed be God's great name in the world which God created, according to plan. May God's majesty be revealed in the days of our lifetime and the life of all Israel — speedily, imminently, to which we say Amen. Blessed be God's great name to all eternity. Blessed, praised, honored, exalted, extolled, glorified, adored, and lauded be the name of the Holy Blessed One, beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. To which we say Amen. May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us and all Israel. to which we say Amen. May the One who creates harmony on high, bring peace us and to all Israel. To which we say Amen. We think of our loved ones whom death has recently taken from us, those who died at this season in years past, and those whom we have drawn into our hearts with our own... Zichronam liv'rachah.