The Yizkor Service

The last day of Passover (Tuesday, April 30 2024) is one of the four times of the year when we recite the series of prayers called the Yizkor service.

Yizkor (Hebrew, literally "remember") is a collection of memorial prayers recited by those who have lost a parent or a loved one. Yizkor is recited on Yom Kippur, on the eighth day of Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret), on the last day of Passover, and on the second day of Shavuot.

The earliest source for Yizkor is in the Midrash Tanchuma, which cites the custom of remembering the departed on Yom Kippur and pledging charity on their behalf. The Ashkenazi custom of reciting Yizkor on the last day of the festivals began during the Crusades when massacres wiped out many Jewish communities.

The central part of Yizkor is the paragraph beginning with the words Yizkor Elohim (may God remember). Our siddurim (prayer books) have individualized paragraphs to be recited for a deceased mother, father, male relative (including husband, son, and brother), female relative (including wife, daughter, and sister), as well as extended family.  These paragraphs have a space in which to include the name of those you are remembering at the service. We also add prayers to remember the martyrs of the Jewish people, those who perished during the Holocaust, and those who have died in the defense of the State of Israel.

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This year there will be two separate opportunities for the observance of Yizkor for our community.  Please see below for more information.

 

Yizkor Observance on Passover at the JCCP/CBT

 

Sunday, April 28 - Erev 7th Day of Passover

Early Yizkor Observance on Zoom

6:45 PM

 

Click here for Zoom link to service. Click here for Yizkor text.

 

Tuesday - April 30 - Passover Day 8

In-person at the JCCP/CBT or livestream

9:30 AM

 

Yizkor Observed

Traditional Service

 

We hope this additional opportunity will encourage all members of

the congregation to participate in this important memorial service.

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