Adrienne Shelly's Yartzeit.

Some of you will be aware that Adrienne Shelly, the writer and director of 'Waitress', was murdered in her apartment by an intruder in 2006. At the time of posting we are rapidly approaching the first of November, the third anniversary of her death. Though Adrienne was an Agnostic, her background was Russian Jewish, and it is a Jewish custom to observe such an anniversary with the Yartzeit ceremony. Briefly, this ceremony involves the lighting of a candle in memory of the departed after the recitation of the appropriate prayer. The candle should technically burn for twenty-four hours, but it is accepted that sometimes this may not be possible. Personally, I intend to use an electric candle on the day. There is also the Mourner's Prayer which is known as Kaddish. This can be recited after the candle is lit. These prayers and rituals can be observed by Jews and Gentiles alike, and the ritual is no less appropriate for an Agnostic like Adrienne (or myself) than they are for the most devout of Jews.

Prayer before lighting the Yartzit Candle.

Life is finite. Like a candle, it burns, it is radiant with warmth and beauty; its substance is consumed, and it is no more. Yet we do not despair, for we know that we are more than a flickering flame. With our lives we give life. Something of us can never die. We move in the eternal cycle of darkness and light, of death and life. As in our hearts we name our loved ones, we pray that the Divine Presence will comfort us and all who mourn.


Mourners Prayer - Kaddish.

Maginified and sanctified be the great name of the One by whose will the world was created. May God's rule become effective in your lives, and in the life of the whole House of Israel. May it be so soon, and let us say. Amen

May God's great name be praised to all eternity.

Blessed and praised; glorified, exalted and extolled; lauded and honoured and acclaimed be the name of the Holy One, who is ever to be praised, though far above the eulogies and songs of praise and consolation that human lips can utter; and let us say. Amen

May great peace decend from heaven, and abundant life be granted, to us and all Israel; and let us say. Amen

May the most High, Source of perfect Peace, grant peace to us, to all Israel, and to all humanity, and let us say; Amen