Yahrzeits at Temple Emanu-el
While remembering a departed loved one brings to mind poignant memories and recollections of good times shared, dealing with a loss is often a difficult and lengthy process. At Temple Emanu-El, honoring anniversaries of these passing’s is some of the most important work we do.
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. 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
Here are some frequently asked questions that will help shed light on our process at Temple Emanu-El:
When are Yahrzeits honored at Temple Emanu-El?
Names of departed loved ones are read at Shabbat evening services on Friday and at Saturday morning services. We also read names of anyone who died in the previous year at each of the festival services.
I don't think I received my reminder letter. When do they get sent out?
Hardcopy letters and donation envelopes are mailed out generally at the beginning of the month prior to the yahrzeit month that the name will be read (based on the information we have from your family profiles). Example: Your mother's Yahrzeit is to be read July 5 & 6. The notice would be mailed June 1.
I am a new member, how will the synagogue know about past deaths in my family?
Generally, Yahrzeit information is requested on the information form required for membership. Since we need complete information in order to enter it into our database, the office follows up in the case that information is incomplete. Any member should feel free to call the synagogue office at 305-538-2503 to add names to their family list, ask questions about Yahrzeits or to get information on purchasing a memorial plaque for their loved one.
My sibling's synagogue sends his/her notices for our parent at slightly different times than I get them from Temple Emanu-El. Why is that?
At Temple Emanu-El, the member notifies us as to whether the family wants to observe the English or Hebrew date. We use a Sunday to Saturday date capture, so if your loved ones name is being read at the Friday and Saturday services, it is because they passed away sometime in that week. Example: January 6-12 names are read at January 11 & 12 services.
Your relative may have asked his/her synagogue to track the anniversary according to the English date, but our default (when preference isn't specified) is the Hebrew. Any member can request to have their anniversaries tracked either by the Hebrew/Lunar calendar or English/Secular. In most cases, people prefer Hebrew tracking in the case that their relative passed on/near a Jewish holiday so that the anniversary will continue to coincide with that holiday.
I am going to be away at the time my Grandmother's name will be read at services. What can I do not to miss it?
You are encouraged to call the synagogue office at 305-538-2503, to have the name read at a different service when you are able to attend and say kaddish with your own community. If you would like to ensure a minyan for Kaddish, please call the office in advance, so we can make sure that is available for you.
In what ways can I observe Yahrzeit at home?
It is customary to light a Yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of a death. The candle is lit the evening before and burns for 24 hours. Making a donation to the synagogue in increments of 18 (Chai) $18/$180, $36/$360, etc. is also customary.
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. 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
Here are some frequently asked questions that will help shed light on our process at Temple Emanu-El:
When are Yahrzeits honored at Temple Emanu-El?
Names of departed loved ones are read at Shabbat evening services on Friday and at Saturday morning services. We also read names of anyone who died in the previous year at each of the festival services.
I don't think I received my reminder letter. When do they get sent out?
Hardcopy letters and donation envelopes are mailed out generally at the beginning of the month prior to the yahrzeit month that the name will be read (based on the information we have from your family profiles). Example: Your mother's Yahrzeit is to be read July 5 & 6. The notice would be mailed June 1.
I am a new member, how will the synagogue know about past deaths in my family?
Generally, Yahrzeit information is requested on the information form required for membership. Since we need complete information in order to enter it into our database, the office follows up in the case that information is incomplete. Any member should feel free to call the synagogue office at 305-538-2503 to add names to their family list, ask questions about Yahrzeits or to get information on purchasing a memorial plaque for their loved one.
My sibling's synagogue sends his/her notices for our parent at slightly different times than I get them from Temple Emanu-El. Why is that?
At Temple Emanu-El, the member notifies us as to whether the family wants to observe the English or Hebrew date. We use a Sunday to Saturday date capture, so if your loved ones name is being read at the Friday and Saturday services, it is because they passed away sometime in that week. Example: January 6-12 names are read at January 11 & 12 services.
Your relative may have asked his/her synagogue to track the anniversary according to the English date, but our default (when preference isn't specified) is the Hebrew. Any member can request to have their anniversaries tracked either by the Hebrew/Lunar calendar or English/Secular. In most cases, people prefer Hebrew tracking in the case that their relative passed on/near a Jewish holiday so that the anniversary will continue to coincide with that holiday.
I am going to be away at the time my Grandmother's name will be read at services. What can I do not to miss it?
You are encouraged to call the synagogue office at 305-538-2503, to have the name read at a different service when you are able to attend and say kaddish with your own community. If you would like to ensure a minyan for Kaddish, please call the office in advance, so we can make sure that is available for you.
In what ways can I observe Yahrzeit at home?
It is customary to light a Yahrzeit candle on the anniversary of a death. The candle is lit the evening before and burns for 24 hours. Making a donation to the synagogue in increments of 18 (Chai) $18/$180, $36/$360, etc. is also customary.
Other giving opportunities in memory of a loved one
Shabbat Flower Fund $90
Postage Sponsorship $90
Shabbat Email Sponsorship $108
Shabbat Service Sponsorship $180
Program Sponsorship $270
Tree of Life Plaques $360
Kiddush Sponsorship $500
Yahrzeit Plaques (below) $1,000
Catered Kiddush Sponsorship $2000
Hall of Remembrance Hexagon $4,000
Hall of Remembrance Star $6,000
Postage Sponsorship $90
Shabbat Email Sponsorship $108
Shabbat Service Sponsorship $180
Program Sponsorship $270
Tree of Life Plaques $360
Kiddush Sponsorship $500
Yahrzeit Plaques (below) $1,000
Catered Kiddush Sponsorship $2000
Hall of Remembrance Hexagon $4,000
Hall of Remembrance Star $6,000
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding Yahrzeits, please reach out to Rabbi or Barbara in the office barbara@tesobe.org or rabbimarc@tesobe.org call the synagogue office at 305-538-2503.
YAHRZEIT PLAQUES
We are commanded not merely to grieve but also to remember and to observe.
Temple Emanu-El’s Yahrzeit plaques both perpetuate the cherished memory of the loved ones
we have lost and create a permanent family legacy. Each nameplate is inscribed with the name of the departed in English in addition to the secular and Hebrew calendar dates of death. At the side of each nameplate is a memorial light, which burns bright each year on the Yahrzeit date and for all Yizkor Services.
Memorializing our loved ones in this way fulfills the commandment to give tzedakah in their honor.
Temple Emanu-El’s Yahrzeit plaques both perpetuate the cherished memory of the loved ones
we have lost and create a permanent family legacy. Each nameplate is inscribed with the name of the departed in English in addition to the secular and Hebrew calendar dates of death. At the side of each nameplate is a memorial light, which burns bright each year on the Yahrzeit date and for all Yizkor Services.
Memorializing our loved ones in this way fulfills the commandment to give tzedakah in their honor.
To order your yahrzeit plaque(s) or to reserve a space, please email
Barbara L Breslow (Barbara@tesobe.org),
call (305.538.2503, ext. 222)
Barbara L Breslow (Barbara@tesobe.org),
call (305.538.2503, ext. 222)