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Sept. 7, 2012
A time and a place to mourn
Annual memorials at Schara Tzedeck Cemetery merged.
OLGA LIVSHIN AND CYNTHIA RAMSAY
In Judaism, there are prescribed mourning practices, and we remember those we have lost both privately and publicly. Our private moments of remembrance happen when we visit the graves, pick up a photo album or recall some of our mutual experiences. In the public realm, among other rituals, there is Yizkor, a prayer recited four times a year in synagogue to commemorate those who have left us. Additionally, for the community, there have been annual ceremonies held at the Schara Tzedeck Cemetery, ceremonies that will become one this year.
“Judaism doesn’t leave anything to accident,” said Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt of Schara Tzedeck Synagogue in an interview with the Independent. “Giving to charity has a place in the Torah, repentance has a place, and so does mourning our loved ones. Institutionalization of memory allows us to have a time and place to mourn.”
Historically, Yizkor was reserved for one day only, Yom Kippur. It was complemented by charitable donations because, by donating funds – which has always been considered a good deed – the living could, in theory, elevate the souls of the departed and simultaneously enhance their own chances for personal atonement. After some centuries, Yizkor was added to three other celebrations, Sukkot, Passover and Shavuot.
About the annual memorial that the synagogue has observed for many years, Rosenblatt said: “There is no textual connection [between Yizkor and our ceremony], but both practices are inspired by the same idea. We are the living chapters in the lives of those who have passed; we inspire ourselves to live by the lessons of our departed elders.”
Also held at the cemetery every year between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur has been a memorial for Holocaust victims. The Holocaust memorial was started by Leo Lowy, z”l, some two decades ago, said current organizer Jack Micner.
“I got involved several years ago because Leo expressed concern that he couldn’t continue it year in and year out,” explained Micner. “It was a lot of work in a short period of time. I became involved about 10 or 12 years ago, and have been running it since. I got involved a few years before he died. He didn’t leave it to the end. We worked together in the first couple years, and then he just let me run it.”
As for the changes that have been implemented, Rosenblatt explained, “Up till last year, we had three separate services. One – to remember relatives and friends buried at the Schara Tzedeck Cemetery. Two – a ceremony for the fallen veterans. Three – a Holocaust memorial. They are usually conducted after people visit the graves of their family members.”
The rabbi noted that attendance at the first ceremony has always been high but, unfortunately, the other two groups have gotten smaller as the years have gone by. “There are fewer Holocaust survivors every year, sadly, and the third group has become the smallest of all,” he said. “This year, we want to amalgamate the three groups into one ceremony.... It’s especially important because the fallen vets and the Holocaust victims often don’t have any official burial place.”
Rosenblatt also said that a fourth group will be added to the service: the fallen soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). “For decades, the younger generations have been living under the umbrella of freedom provided by those who died,” said the rabbi. “It’s important that the young know and appreciate the sacrifice of those who fell protecting their freedom.... The young carry forwards the message ‘Never again.’ They are becoming custodians of Jewish traditions.”
Along with Rosenblatt and Micner, the group organizing this year’s service includes Dr. Robert Krell, chair of the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre programming committee, and VHEC president Ed Lewin.
Micner described as practical the combination of the different services into one.
“The Sunday between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a very significant day in our calendar,” said Micner. “It’s a day of remembrance, reflection and contemplation. There is sadness, and there is also hope. It’s a time of year also when we tend to look both behind and ahead.
“In this context, we want all persons who attend to be able to navigate the cemetery with minimal inconvenience, and be able to sit comfortably, listen to the speakers, remember and grieve. Combining the ... services at one place, consecutively, will, we hope, allow this to happen and perhaps make it a little more meaningful to everyone who comes (whether or not relatives are buried at the cemetery).”
This year’s ceremony will take place at the Holocaust Memorial at the cemetery on Sept. 23, beginning at 11 a.m., and it will last under an hour. “This is new approach for us,” said Rosenblatt, “but we’ll try to keep the entire program to 45 minutes to one hour. There will be prayers, Kaddish and eulogies in mixed order, representing all the involved groups.... There will be multiple contributors, and a lay leader will announce which individuals will fill which roles.”
According to Micner, the keynote address will be delivered by Wendy Oberlander, Second Generation, and hesped (eulogy of the deceased) will be given by the Louis Brier Home and Hospital’s Rabbi Hillel Brody.
“Cantor [Steve] Levin will chant the El Moleh Rachamim (in memory of the murdered Holocaust victims) and the Kaddish will be led by one of the community members,” said Micner. “I should add that, in the Schara Tzedeck service, Rabbi Rosenblatt will deliver the main speech, and Rev. Joseph Marciano will read the names of those persons (synagogue members) who have died in the past year. I believe that Rabbi [Michael] Nadata will chant the appropriate El Moleh Rachamim portion (different from the one chanted at the Holocaust memorial).” Micner added that Rosenblatt will also officiate at the veterans service. “I expect he will deliver a eulogy speech and that the service will be relatively brief. Sadly, there are few veterans left to conduct the service,” he said.
For those who have trouble reaching the cemetery by car, there is a free bus departing from Schara Tzedeck Synagogue at 9:30 a.m. The bus stops at the Louis Brier before heading to the cemetery. For those who drive a car, the cemetery address is 2345 Marine Dr., in New Westminster. If the weather is poor, the services will be conducted in the chapel.
Olga Livshin is a Vancouver freelance writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
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