#BlogElul 10: Memory

In my mind, Rabbi Sylvan Kamens’ heartfelt poem, We Remember Them, is as much a part of Yom Kippur as is our break-the-fast a few hours later:

At the rising of the sun and at its going down,
We remember them.
At the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter,
We remember them.
At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We remember them.
At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of 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 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 joy we crave to share,
We remember them.
When we have decisions that are difficult to make,
We remember them.
When we have achievements that are based on theirs,

We remember them.
As long as we live they too will live,
For they are now a part of us as we remember them.

Now, though, there is a different rhythm by which I remember:

At the coming of the seder, I remember her.

On what will always be her birthday, I remember her.

On the anniversary of her death, I remember her.

In the company of amazing Jewish women, I remember her.

On September 11^th, I remember her.

On Fourth of July, I remember her.

But mostly “just because” I remember her.