It is a Jewish custom to remember family members and friends on the anniversary of their passing. A memorial prayer is recited, a candle is lit, and donation is often given in memoriam. After not gathering in person for more than one year, Beth Sholom Village held a very special service to remember those who passed away.
On the warm evening of August 25, approximately 50 family members, loved ones, and local clergy gathered outside, socially distanced, and wearing masks. The goal for the Service of Remembrance, emerging from an unparalleled difficult time, was to provide healing and hope to the families and friends of all who had called Beth Sholom Village home.
“It was truly wonderful to see family members whom we had not seen for over a year, and to remember and honor their loved ones,” says David Abraham, president and CEO of Beth Sholom Village.
Hedda Kirschbaum, whose husband, Mel, passed away in March of 2020, says, “It was nice to see staff and other family members. I visited with Mel every day for seven and a half years. So, it was good to see people we had not seen for a long time.” The Kirschbaums were married for 56 years. Hedda Kirschbaum and her children came to honor Mel’s memory.
Rabbi Adam Ruditsky, director of Religious and Spiritual Services at Beth Sholom Village, revised the memorial program that had been put on hold due to the pandemic.
“It was essential for us to acknowledge and remember those who lived with us, so their memory lives on,” says Rabbi Ruditsky. “We recited the Mourners Kaddish and read each person’s name that left us, and asked family members to come up and put a stone in a bowl of water. Water represents their lives, and the stone represents their death. We were fortunate to have local Cellist Lei Lei Berz play meaningful and beautiful music.”
Rabbi Ruditsky will continue this tradition every six months to memorialize the passing of loved ones who influenced and inspired during their lifetimes.
-Marcia Futterman Brodie