Print or bookmark this page and enjoy using these resources from Rabbi Norry to have a self-guided Kever Avot experience.
Please note we will have security available at Elmwood Cemetery from 10AM-12PM on Sunday September 12th. We encourage you to visit during this time for your self-guided experience.
‘We Remember Them’ by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer
At the rising sun and at its going down; We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter; We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring; We remember them.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer; We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the autumn; We remember them.
At the beginning of the year and when it ends; We remember them.
As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as We remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength; We remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart; We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make; We remember them.
When we have joy we crave to share; We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs; We remember them.
For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.
Psalm 23
מִזְמור לְדָוִד ה׳ רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר
בִּנְאוֹת דֶשֶׁא יֵרְבִּיצֵנִי, עַל-מֵי מְנֻחוֹת יְנַהֲלֵנִי
נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב, יַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְלֵי-צֶדֶק לְמֵעֵן שְׁמו
גַם כִּי-אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא צַלְמָוֶת לֹא-אִירָא רָע כִּי-אַתָּה עִמָדִי, שִׁבְטְךָ וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ הֵמָה יְנַחֲמֻנִי
תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי, דִשַנְתָּ בַשֶמֶן רֹאשִי כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה
אַךְ, טוֹב וָחֶסֶד יִרְדְפוּנִי כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָי, וְשַׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-ה׳ לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים
Miz-mohr leh-dah-vid, ah-doh-noi roh-ee loh ekh-sar.
Bin-oht deh-sheh yahr-bee-tzay-nee, ahl may meh-noo-khoht yeh-nah-hah-lay-nee.
Nahf-shee yeh-shoh-vayv, yahn-chay-nee veh-mah-geh-lay tzeh-dek leh-mah-ahn sheh-moh.
Gahm kee ay-laykh beh-gay tzahl-mah-veht, loh ee-rah rah, kee ah-tah ee-mah-dee, shiv-teh-khah oo-mish-ahn-teh-khah hay-mah yeh-nah-khah-moo-nee.
Tah-ah-rohkh leh-fah-nai shool-khahn neh-gehd tzoh-reh-rai, dee-shahn-tah vah-sheh-mehn roh-shee, koh-see reh-vah-yah.
Ahkh tohv vah-kheh-sehd yir-deh-foo-nee kohl yeh-may khah-yai, veh-shahv-tee beh-vayt ah-doh-noi leh-oh-rehch yah-mim.
A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 God makes me lie down in green pastures; and leads me to
water in places of repose;
3 God renews my life; and guides me in right paths as
befits God’s name.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
5 You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my drink is abundant.
6 Only goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me
all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Mourner’s Kaddish
Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba b’alma di v’ra chir’utei; v’yamlich malchutei b’hayeichon u-v’yomeichon, uv’hayei d’chol beit yisrael, ba-agala u-vi-z’man kariv, v’imru amen.
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach l’alam u-l’almei almaya.
Yitbarach v’yishtabah, v’yitpa’ar v’yitromam, v’yitnasei v’yit-hadar, v’yit’aleh v’yit’halal sh’mei d’kudsha, b’rich hu, l’ela min kol birchata v’shirata, tushb’hata v’nehemata, da-amiran b’alma, v’imru amen.
Y’hei sh’lama raba min sh’maya, v’hayim, aleinu v’al koi yisrael, v’imru amen.
Oseh shalom bi-m’romav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol yisrael, v’imru amen.
Magnified and sanctified is the great name of God throughout the world, which was created according to Divine will. May the rule of peace be established speedily in our time, unto us and unto the entire household of Israel. And let us say: Amen.
May God’s great name be praised throughout all eternity.
Glorified and celebrated, lauded and praised, acclaimed and honored, extolled and exalted ever be the name of thy Holy One, far beyond all song and psalm, beyond all hymns of glory which mortals can offer. And let us say: Amen.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, with life’s goodness for us and for all thy people Israel. And let us say: Amen.
May the One who brings peace to the universe bring peace to us and to all the people Israel. And let us say: Amen.
Reading Jewish Gravestones
The 2 Hebrew letters (Pey and Nun) are an acronym for the words “Po Nikbar” meaning “Here Lies. It appears at the top of Jewish monuments.”
Monuments in the shape of a tree trunk are symbolic of the “tree of life” cut down. Often used at the gravesite of someone who died young.
The ancient sign of the Cohayn. Originating from Aaron, Moses’ brother. The Cohayn holds his hands this way when performing the Aaronic benediction over the Jewish people.
The sign of the Levite. Descendants of the tribe of Levi. The Levi would assist the Cohayn in his holy tasks. Often a Levi monument will show a hand pouring water over the hand of the Cohayn with a pitcher of water.
Candlesticks. Most common symbol at the gravesite of a Jewish woman as a symbol of her piety.
