Sponsored by: Community You Can Believe In
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.
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
Upcoming Events
-
Saturday ,
JulJuly 27 , 2024Shabbat Playgroup in the Park
Shabbat, Jul 27th 3:00p to 5:00p
Calling all 0-5 year olds and their grown-ups: come find your people at the park! Join Rabbi Zerin, Dr. Eliyahu, and your friends at Beth El for a relaxed Shabbat afternoon at Eisenhower Park. We will provide cold drinks and summer treats! Note: will be canceled in case of rain. RSVPs requested but not required. Click in to RSVP! -
Sunday ,
JulJuly 28 , 2024Men's Club Outing to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Harrisburg Senators
Sunday, Jul 28th 12:00p to 4:00p
Back by popular demand! Come join the Men’s Club at Dunkin’ Donuts Park to see the Hartford Yard Goats play the Harrisburg Senators (the Washington Nationals AA minor league affiliate)! Our seats, in the Hartford Terrace section along the first-base side, are in a shaded, private section. Your ticket will allow you free exclusive access to the Yard Goats Club, an air conditioned indoor section with great views of the game, comfortable seating, and higher-end food and liquor options not available at the general concession stands. And yes, fries, hot dogs, and beer are also available there. You can go to this private section when you want to take a break from your field seats, get refreshments, and schmooze with others. Our group will be recognized at the game. There will be a shout out for the Beth El Men's Club! One of us will get to throw out a first pitch! There may be other surprises! Kids run the bases after the game! Tickets are limited, so you are urged to put in your RSVP as soon as possible. You may request to be seated with others who are placing their RSVP separately. -
Wednesday ,
JulJuly 31 , 2024
Wednesday, Jul 31st 7:30p to 10:30p
Meet up with us at Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival for Hamlet! Click in for details. -
Sunday ,
AugAugust 4 , 2024Red Cross Blood Drive
Sunday, Aug 4th 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. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 16 , 2024Shabbat Potluck
Friday, Aug 16th 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!