As a new Jewish year is on the horizon, Yom Kippur will mark the first time we say Yizkor this year.

Last year, we published the Henya Federman OBM Yizkor Booklet as a permanent tribute to her memory.

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The Yizkor is recited four times annually; on Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah, Pesach, and Shavout.  The Yizkor book will be distributed amongst the congregation each of the four times the Yizkor is recited.

When we recite the Yizkor prayer- the prayer of memoriam of our beloved departed ones, we assure our beloved that they are not forgotten, and pray that their souls attain higher elevations in heaven.  In Jewish tradition, when reciting Yizkor for our beloved departed ones, we show our commitment to them in two ways; Firstly, through our prayer, and secondly, by pledging charity in their memory.

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The ancient custom of recalling the souls of the departed and contributing to charity in their memory is rooted in the fundamental Jewish belief in the eternity of the soul.  When physical life ends, only the body dies, but the soul ascends to the realm of the spirit where it regularly attains higher levels of purity and holiness.

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When this life is over, the soul can no longer perform good deeds; that method of attaining merit is the sole province of mortal man.  It is he who must struggle with the baseness and selfishness of his animal nature. But there is a way that the disembodied soul can derive new sources of merit.  History is a continuum.  If we, the living, give charity or do good deeds due to the lasting influence or in memory of a departed parent of other loved one, the merit is truly that of the soul in its spiritual realm. Moreover, G-d, in His mercy, credits our deed to the departed one because he or she too would have done the same were it possible.  But mere intentions do not suffice; only accomplishment can achieve this purpose.  The intention to give and the fulfillment of that intention are both necessary.

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The Yizkor booklet will include all the special prayers recited, and will also include the names of our dear beloved who we wish to honor and remember. 

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