Remembering Loved Ones
Remembering Loved Ones
Honoring the yahrzeit of a loved one is a long-standing and wonderful Jewish tradition. The yahrzeit is the annual date in the Jewish calendar on which a close relative passed away. Traditionally, we observe these dates for parents, spouses, siblings, and children, although a yahrzeit may also be observed for any close relative or friend that one feels especially close to. The traditional manner of observing yahrzeit involves several rituals: saying the Mourners’ Kaddish during each of the three services (Ma'ariv – evening, Shacharit – morning, and Mincha – afternoon) on the day of yahrzeit, lighting a yahrzeit (twenty-four) candle in one's home the evening that the yahrzeit begins, making a donation to a charity in memory of the deceased, having an aliyah close to the date of a yahrzeit, and in some traditions fasting on the yahrzeit for a parent who passed away.
At Beth El Temple, we honor our members' yahrzeits in several ways:
- We send a yahrzeit reminder notification to all our members. If one wishes to have someone listed for yahrzeit notification, please contact Rabbi Sowalsky at hsowalsky@bethelwh.org and he will take care of that.
- We will say the "kel malay rachamim" prayer on behalf of your loved one during the week when we read Torah (generally Saturday afternoon, Monday & Thursday mornings) if you request to have that done. A form for such is sent along with every yahrzeit letter reminder. Additionally, you may wish to donate to Beth El Temple in memory of your loved one. The form for the "kel malay rachamim" prayer may also be found by clicking here.
- We list in our weekly flyer all the names of the yahrzeits of our members. The list is on the back page of our flyer and starts with Shabbat and ends the following Friday. if you wish, you can also come on a Friday night around the date of your loved one's yahrzeit and have their name read at services and also say Kaddish. If you wish to do that, please contact Rabbi Sowalsky at hsowalsky@bethelwh.org.
- For those who wish, one may purchase (for $600, effective July 1, 2022) a yahrzeit plaque. This metallic plaque is a permanent remembrance of your loved one at Beth El Temple. All the yahrzeit plaques (we have over 1000) are in our beautiful chapel, and each week, the plaques corresponding to the yahrzeits for that week (Shabbat to Friday) are hung on a special board in the chapel. If you wish to purchase a plaque for a loved one who has passed, please click here.
- Lastly, in our Sanctuary Lobby, we have a beautiful "Tree of Life" for which one can buy a leaf (for $500, effective July 1, 2022) and memorialize your loved one. If you are interested in such, please click here.
Thu, July 3 2025
7 Tammuz 5785
Upcoming Events
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Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2025Chai Society Picnic at Beth El
Tuesday, Jul 29th 11:30a to 1:00p
The Chai Society invites you to a picnic at Beth El on Tuesday, July 29, at 11:30am. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, along with all the trimmings. We will be treated to entertaining music by Walter Mamlok on the clarinet, and Michael Schiano on the accordion. There will be a charge of $10 for our summer picnic. We'll gather rain or shine! -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Aug 9th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 10 , 2025Red Cross Blood Drive
Sunday, Aug 10th 8:30a to 1:30p
You can make a lasting impact with an amazing mitzvot by helping the American Red Cross! Please help us make a difference by donating blood at Beth El Temple. Please call 1.800.733.2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter: WeHa to schedule your appointment. Volunteers are also needed for registration and snacks, please call the office to sign up to volunteer. You can also save up to 15 minutes on the day of your appointment, by simply visiting www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions. Everyday heroes like you can help save up to three lives with just one blood donation. Thank you for giving the gift of life.
Contact Us
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
Office Hours:
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Monday-Thursday: 8:30am - 4pm
Friday: 8:30am - 2:30pm
SULAM Beth El Educational Program:
Upcoming Events
-
Saturday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Jul 12th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person -
Friday ,
JulJuly 25 , 2025Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Jul 25th 5:30p to 7:30p
All are invited to join Beth El friends for a Shabbat Potluck Picnic! We'll meet at a fellow member's home to celebrate Shabbat with food, singing, and community. Bring a dairy/vegetarian dish to share (details in the registration). RSVPs are required. Click in to register! -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 29 , 2025Chai Society Picnic at Beth El
Tuesday, Jul 29th 11:30a to 1:00p
The Chai Society invites you to a picnic at Beth El on Tuesday, July 29, at 11:30am. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers, along with all the trimmings. We will be treated to entertaining music by Walter Mamlok on the clarinet, and Michael Schiano on the accordion. There will be a charge of $10 for our summer picnic. We'll gather rain or shine! -
Saturday ,
AugAugust 9 , 2025Exploring the Siddur: A deep dive into the language, meaning, music, and origins of our prayers
Shabbat, Aug 9th 5:30p to 7:00p
Second Summer Saturdays: June 14, July 12, and August 9, 5:30-7:00 Join Rabbi Rosen and Rabbi Zerin on select Shabbat afternoons throughout the summer for a light dinner/Seudah Shleesheet, learning, and zemirot/Shabbat songs. Each week, we will take a deep dive into one or two of the prayers in our Siddur, exploring topics such as the meaning of the prayer, the way it functions in the service, the different biblical and rabbinic texts that it quotes or refers to, new and traditional musical settings for the prayer, ways that music enhances the meaning of the text, and the history of how the prayer came to be a fixture in our prayerbook. Adults and teens of all backgrounds are welcome to join; no prior knowledge of Hebrew or the Siddur necessary. Light dinner will be served RSVP required (click in to register!) $10 suggested donation per person
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