Community at Temple Israel
Rabbi’s Message – September 4, 2025
We all experience loss. Whether it is the passing of an immediate family member, a distant relative, or a friend, each of us encounters death. Tradition teaches that death is as much a part of life as birth. Just as a naming or a bris marks a new life, customs and rituals guide us through mourning and remembrance.
Most of us are familiar with the sacred obligation to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish for an immediate family member on their yahrzeit, marking the anniversary of their death. Some may also know we are instructed to remember our loved ones at other appointed times throughout the year, on pilgrimage festivals and on Yom Kippur in a service known as Yizkor. But there is one more time, and it is coming up as we prepare for the High Holidays. The month just prior to Rosh Hashanah is the month of Elul, which is thought to be an auspicious time.
The High Holidays are a contemplative period, prompting us to think about who we are and what our actions say about our values. Our self-reflection during this time is intended to lead us to make changes to our behavior and ask forgiveness for what we have done wrong. Visiting the graves of loved ones is part of this process, as it helps us to remember the ideals we set for ourselves in their honor. As we place stones on the markers of those we loved, we remember their legacies and feel inspired to live our lives more fully.
Each year we hold a short Kever Avot memorial service at Riverview cemetery between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. For those who are ambulatory, it is a wonderful opportunity to pay a loving tribute. This year’s service will take place on Sunday, September 7, at 10:30 a.m.
The service will be held outdoors under a tent, with chairs provided. It will be located on a flat surface near the road, making it easily accessible for all who wish to attend.
We invite you to join us for this moving and meaningful service as we remember those who came before us and seek inspiration for the year ahead.