REMEMBERING AND HONORING – May 2020
YOM YERUSHALAYIM
May 21-22, 2020
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED
May 25, 2020
MEMORIAL DAY
This year, Memorial Day is being observed on Monday, May 25, 2020. Often this holiday is associated
with remembering soldiers who died in World War II. In many places, it is customary to give a donation
for and to wear red paper poppies. Interestingly, the historic roots of this holiday date to 1868 after the
American Civil War ended; it has had different names at different times and places.
Nowadays it is a federal holiday for honoring and mourning all military personnel who died while serving
in the United States Armed Forces. In years past, Americans have observed this holiday in a variety of
ways. It is anyone’s guess what those will look like this year in this time of COVID-19.
The following thoughts and prayers adapted from “Mishkan T’filah/A Reform Siddur” are offered:
From PSALM 133:1
Hinei mah tov uma na’im shevet achim gam yachad.
How good and how pleasant it is that brothers and sisters dwell together (as one/in unity).
From ISAIAH 2:4
Lo yisa goi el goi cherev, v’lo yilm’du ‘od milchamah.
Nation shall not take up sword against nation; and they shall not learn any more war.
From the Mourner’s KADDISH
(as it appears at the end of the Amidah)
‘Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom ‘aleinu v’al kol Yisrael, v’al kol yoshvei teiveil, v’imru: Amen.
May the One who makes peace in the high heavens make peace for us, for all Israel and all who inhabit
the earth. Amen.
Adapted from EL MALEI RACHAMIM
God, full of mercy, Who dwells above, give rest on the wings of Divine Presence, among the holy, pure
and glorious who shine like the sky, to the souls of all those men and women who have died while
serving in the United States Armed Forces, especially those protecting us and defending the highest
ideals and aspirations of our nation. May they rest in peace and may their memories be for blessing.
Amen.
YOM YERUSHALAYIM – Jerusalem Day – 28 Iyar
This year, the Israeli national holiday of Yom Yerushalayim fell on May 21-22. It commemorates the
reunification of the City of Jerusalem during the June 1967 Six-Day War. In some branches of Judaism, it
is a minor religious holiday which marks regaining access to the Western Wall.
On YouTube there are some clips with beautiful renditions of “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (Jerusalem of
Gold) written by Naomi Shemer (1930-2004). One of them, with female cantors from the US and the
world, includes Cantor Roz Barak who I sang with at Temple Emanuel in San Francisco. Another with
three male cantors, including Cantor Azi Schwartz, that takes place in Amsterdam at the Portuguese
Synagogue, which was founded by some of my father’s ancestors in the 1670s. Finally, there is a
rendition by the late Yemenite singer, Ofra Haza, one of my personal favorites. Enjoy!
YOM YERUSHALAYIM
May 21-22, 2020
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVED
May 25, 2020
Shavuah Tov-Buena Semana, and
early Chag Shavuot Sameach!
-Ruben