Join us for a soul-stirring Contemporary Yizkor Service, where we embark on a profound journey through grief, guided by the melodies of both classical and modern Jewish music. This unique experience is crafted to helps us collectively mourn and remember our loved ones.

This service will also serve as Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel’s senior recital in partial fulfillment of requirements for a Master’s Degree in Jewish Sacred Music at the Academy for Jewish Religion, California.

Please RSVP for planning purposes and to submit a photo of someone you mourn on Yizkor. (These photos will play a part in the opening section of the service). Join us in the Glickman-Galinson Sanctuary (YouTube).

Submitting photos: You’re welcome to submit a photo of someone you are remembering at this Yizkor service. You can drop your photos to me here: https://bit.ly/BIDrop. They will be used for a special slideshow at the beginning of the service.

Service Program: I also welcome you to peruse a full version of the program here: https://bit.ly/ContemporaryYizkorProgram.

Below are some FAQs about Contemporary Yizkor:
What is Yizkor?
Yizkor is a public observance for the community of bereaved. Yizkor means “may [God] remember.” Yizkor services happen on Yom Kippur, the final day of Sukkot (Sh’mini Atzeret & Simchat Torah), the final day of Passover, and Shavuot. The Yizkor service liturgy generally consists of some Psalms (notably Psalm 23 & Psalm 121), Eil Malei Rachamim, and the Mourner’s Kaddish. Oftentimes, a 24-hour yizkor candle is also lit.

Am I allowed to be at Yizkor?
In some communities, only those who have lost a parent, a sibling, a spouse, or a child attend Yizkor. However, we recognize that each of us encounters loss, and grief is not limited to those categories. All who have lost are welcome at Yizkor.

Why Contemporary Yizkor?
A traditional Yizkor service is about remembering and processing loss and grief. However, the liturgy only gives voice to the sadness of grief, with a chance for seeking comfort in tradition. Contemporary Yizkor attempts to give voice to whatever emotions of grief you have, or continue to experience. While Yizkor services generally happen as part of a morning service, evenings are often a time when we feel our mourning most deeply.

How is this service framed?
This service uses a variant on the Kubler-Ross stages of grief: Denial (“This can’t be happening to me.”), Anger (“Why is this happening? Who is to blame?!”), Bargaining (“Make this not happen, and in return I will…”), Depression (“I’m too sad to do anything”), Acceptance/Comfort (“I am at peace with what happened.”), as well as Meaning Making (“This is what I have learned from this pain”) and a moment of self-care and personal healing (“I haven’t been okay, and doing something about that is not selfish.”). Contemporary Yizkor will attempt to give voice to these emotions by pairing a Hebrew song, an English song, and a reading with each stage. While Kubler-Ross is not perfect and has its challenges, it is a useful frame for our purposes: providing a space for this community to process emotions associated with grief.

Is it okay to cry?
Yes, absolutely. And you should never feel the need to apologize for doing so. When we cry, the brain does not find peace – instead, crying allows emotions to rise with renewed intensity. Tissues will be available at the entrance, if you wish.

How should I enter the sanctuary?
There are two suggested rituals before entering the sanctuary:
1) Count the omer – As this is the Yizkor service for Passover, it is customary to count the days between Passover and Shavuot. Today you will recite:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al s’firat haomer.
Our praise to You, Adonai, Sovereign of all, who hallows us with mitzvot, commanding us to count the Omer.
הַיוֹם שִׁשָּׁה יָמִים לָעֹֽמֶר.
Hayom shishah yamim la-omer.
Today is six days of the Omer.

2) Set an intention for yourself with the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְנַחֵם לֵב אֲבֵלִים.
Baruch Atah Adonai, m’nacheim leiv aveilim.
Blessed is the Holy One, who comforts the hearts of mourners.

Should I bring anything?
There is a custom of laying a stone on a grave, rather than flowers. Perhaps the most familiar explanation is that unlike flowers which die, a stone is eternal. However, for this service, we invite you to bring a stone with you and hold it. Rather than placing a stone and walking away, use a stone as a way to bring your loved ones close to your heart.

Is clapping appropriate?
While this service also serves as Rabbi Gimbel’s senior cantorial recital, it is first and foremost a service for the community. If a piece particularly moves you, instead of applause, perhaps place your hands on your heart, or hold the hand of your neighbor.

Can I listen to the music that inspired this service?
Yes! In this Apple Music playlist, you’ll find all of the music that inspired the pieces used in Contemporary Yizkor. The first set of pieces are the ones used in the service, followed by other pieces of music that ended up on the proverbial cutting room floor. https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/contemporary-yizkor/pl.u-76oNpebFAvdBP.