Mourning Black Lives and Police Violence · Kaddish itself is in ancient Aramaic (not Hebrew) and...
Transcript of Mourning Black Lives and Police Violence · Kaddish itself is in ancient Aramaic (not Hebrew) and...
Mourning Black Lives and Police Violencea JFREJ ritual toolkit
Introduction
This toolkit is an offering of prayer, ritual, and action for mourning Black lives lost to police violence and racism. It is structured after the following Jewish phases of mourning, acknowledging the natural course of grief and bereavement:
Shiva The first seven days following the burial of the deceasedShloshim The first thirty days following the burial of the deceasedYahrzeit The anniversary of the deceasedYizkor A moment to remember the deceased during Jewish Holidays
COVER: YEHI ZICHRAM BARUCH / MAY THEIR MEMORY BE A BLESSING CALLIGRAPHY BY ARIELLE TONKIN
2
REBECCA KATZ
The intention of this toolkit is to provide both immediate support for the bereaved as well as sustained practices to honor the memory of Black Lives lost through suggested offerings of prayer, ritual, and action. The prayers and rituals listed are offerings for Jewish communities to incorporate into their communal prayer services. Please adapt these offerings in ways that are most meaningful for your community.
PRAY
ER
RITU
AL
ACT
ION
El M
aleh
Rah
amim
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of
Blac
k pe
ople
lost
to ra
cism
(App
endi
x 1)
Kad
dish
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
lives
we
mou
rn (A
ppen
dix
2)
Ligh
t a Y
ahrz
eit ca
ndle
in yo
ur h
ome a
nd/o
r com
mun
al pr
ayer
spac
es.
Kriy
ah is
a ph
ysica
l em
bodi
men
t of m
ourn
ing
by
tear
ing
ribbo
n or
clot
hing
. Tea
r a cl
oth
when
thes
e tra
gedi
es o
ccur
at an
appr
opria
te sp
ace i
n se
rvice
s, pe
rhap
s bef
ore r
eciti
ng K
addi
sh o
r El M
aleh
Rah
amim
.
Mak
e a S
hiva
call
to B
lack
fam
ilies
and
com
mun
ities
in
mou
rnin
g. Fi
nd o
ut w
here
to se
nd fo
od to
or m
ake
dona
tions
for f
ood
to b
e deli
vere
d to
the f
amili
es in
m
ourn
ing.
Org
aniz
e a 7
-day
fund
raisi
ng d
rive f
or b
ail f
unds
and
mut
ual a
id fu
nds.
SH
IVA
3
Psalm
23
(App
endi
x 3)
El M
aleh
Rah
amim
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
peop
le ki
lled
by p
olice
/lost
to ra
cism
(App
endi
x 1)
Kad
dish
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
lives
we
mou
rn (A
ppen
dix
2)
Ligh
t a Y
ahrz
eit ca
ndle
in yo
ur co
mm
unal
pray
er sp
ace.
Hos
t a d
ay o
f lea
rnin
g in
mem
ory
of th
e Blac
k liv
es w
e m
ourn
. Sha
re st
orie
s of t
he p
eopl
e who
hav
e die
d to
ill
umin
ate t
heir
hum
anity
. We o
ften
lose
sigh
t of t
he li
ves
and
storie
s beh
ind
the n
ames
.
PRAY
ER
RITU
AL
ACT
ION
SHLO
SHIM
4
Psalm
23
(App
endi
x 3)
El M
aleh
Rah
amim
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
peop
le ki
lled
by p
olice
/lost
to ra
cism
(App
endi
x 1)
Kad
dish
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
lives
we
mou
rn (A
ppen
dix
2)
Une
tane
h Tok
ef fo
r Blac
k Li
ves (
Appe
ndix
4)
Ligh
t a Y
ahrz
eit ca
ndle
in yo
ur co
mm
unal
pray
er sp
ace.
Cre
ate a
calen
dar o
f Yah
rzei
t dat
es to
hon
or B
lack
lives
lost.
(S
ee A
ppen
dix
5 for
a lis
t of d
ates)
Org
aniz
e a m
emor
ial d
ay b
y vo
lunt
eerin
g or
fund
raisi
ng
a driv
e for
bai
l fun
ds an
d m
utua
l aid
fund
s (or
oth
er
appr
opria
te fu
nds).
PRAY
ER
RITU
AL
ACT
ION
YAH
RZ
EIT
PRAY
ER
RITU
AL
ACT
ION
El M
aleh
Rah
amim
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of
Blac
k pe
ople
lost
to ra
cism
(App
endi
x 1)
Kad
dish
with
the i
nclu
sion
of n
ames
of B
lack
lives
we m
ourn
(App
endi
x 2)
Une
tane
h To
kef f
or B
lack
Live
s (Ap
pend
ix 4
)
Ligh
t a Y
ahrz
eit ca
ndle
in yo
ur h
ome a
nd/o
r co
mm
unal
pray
er sp
aces
.
Kriy
ah is
a ph
ysica
l em
bodi
men
t of m
ourn
-in
g by
tear
ing
ribbo
n or
clot
hing
. Tea
r a c
loth
whe
n th
ese t
rage
dies
occ
ur at
an
appr
opria
te sp
ace i
n se
rvice
s, pe
rhap
s bef
ore
recit
ing
Kad
dish
or E
l Mal
eh R
aham
im.
In tr
aditi
on w
ith p
ledgi
ng tz
edak
ah in
the
Yiz
kor p
raye
rs, c
onsid
er m
akin
g a d
onat
ion
to o
rgan
izat
ions
in m
emor
y of
Blac
k Li
ves.
YIZ
KO
R
1. EL MALEH RAHAMIM with the inclusion of names of Black people lost to racism
Exalted, compassionate God, grant perfect peace in your sheltering presence, among the holy and pure, whose radiance is like the heavens, to the souls of all the Black people killed by police or by racist vigilantes: men, women, and children. May their memory be a blessing, and may they rest in paradise. God of mercy, may they find eternal shelter beneath your sheltering wings, and may their souls be bound up in the bond of life. God is their portion. May they rest in peace. And let us say: Amen.
(from Siddur Lev Shalem)
אל מלא רחמים שוכן במרומים המצא מנוחה נכונה תחת כנפי השכינה. במעלות קדושים וטהורים כזהר
הרקיע מזהערים את נשמות כל אחינו[Black people killed by police
and racist vigilantes] אנשים, נשים וטף שנטבחו ושנחנקו ושנשרפו
ושנהרגו. בגן עדן תהי מנוחתם, אנא בעל הרחמים הסתירם בסתר כנפיך לעולמים. וצרר בצרר החיים
את נשמותיהם ה’ הוא נחלתם, וינוחו בשלום עלמשכבותיהם. ונאמר אמן
Appendix:#SayTheirNames
REBECCA KATZ
suggested prayers to include in synagogue / prayer services
5
Yitgadal v’yitkadash George Floydsh’mei raba Breonna Taylor B’alma di v’ra chirutei Tony McDadev’yamlich malchutei, Jamel Floydb’chayeichon uv’yomeichon Sandra Blanduv’chayei d’chol beit Yisrael, Eric Garnerbaagala uviz’man kariv. Philando CastileV’im’ru: Michael BrownAmen.
Y’hei sh’mei raba m’varach, Bettie Jonesl ’alam ul’almei almaya. Tamir RiceYitbarach v’yishtabach Akiya Gurleyv’yitpaar v’yitromam v’yitnasei, Mary Truxillov’yit’hadar v’yitaleh Tyree Crawfordv’yit’halal India Kagersh’mei d’Kud’sha Lamontez JonesB’rich Hu, Billy Ray Davisl ’eila min kol birchata v’shirata, Janet Wilsontushb’chata v’nechemata, Victor Manuel Larosadaamiran b’alma. Alteria WoodsV’imru: Alton SterlingAmen. Y’hei sh’lama Atatiana Jeffersonraba min sh’maya, Akia Gurleyv’chayim aleinu Walter Scottv’al kol Yisrael. Demarcus SemerV’imru: Natasha McKennaAmen.
Oseh shalom bimromav, Hu yaaseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael. V ’imru: Amen.
May the one who creates peace on high bring peace to us and to all people. And we say: Amen.
עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ואמרו: אמן
This Kaddish, traditional Jewish prayer said for those who have died and to bring comfort to those in mourning, is adapted following a model that was created to uplift those lost in the Holocaust/Shoah. The Kaddish itself is in ancient Aramaic (not Hebrew) and is transliterated. As a resource, here is one well researched, but not comprehensive, list of names of numerous Black people killed by the police.
Adapt the example below for what is of most meaning in your community:
2. KADDISH with the inclusion of names of Black people lost to racism
6
SAM FIN
E
4. UNETANEH TOKEF FOR BLACK LIVESby Imani Chapman
Each day we hazard our Black lives in the Court of the White WorldWe know our worthYet the white world is judge-self-appointedWe pass before you to be counted12.5 million bodies stolen1.8 million mercifully avoided your shoresStolen shores, stolen land10.7 million arrived unsafely…times 401 years…times infinite human indignities…times 3⁄5 of a human beingWe now number 47.8 million
In the morning it is written and by curfew it is sealed• Who shall die while jogging (#AmaudArbery)• Who shall die while relaxing in the comfort of their home (#BothamJean #AtatianaJefferson)
• Who shall die while seeking help after a car crash (#JonathanFerrell #RenishaMcBride).• Who shall die while holding a cellphone (#StephonClark).
A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me to water in places of repose;
He renews my life; He guides me in right paths as befits His name.
Though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
You spread a table for me in full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my drink is abundant.
Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for many long years.
מזמור לדודיהוה רעי לא אחסר׃
בנאות דשא ירביצניעל־מי מנחות ינהלני׃
נפשי ישובבינחני במעגלי־צדק למען שמו׃
גם כי־אלך בגיא צלמות לא־אירא רע כי־אתה עמדי
שבטך ומשענתך המה ינחמני׃
תערך לפני שלחן נגד צררידשנת בשמן ראשי כוסי רויה׃
אך טוב וחסד ירדפוני כל־ימי חייושבתי בבית־יהוה לארך ימים׃
3. PSALM 23
7
• Who shall die while decorating for a party (#ClaudeReese).• Who shall die while leaving a party (#JordanEdwards #SeanBell)
• Who shall die while enjoying music (#JordanDavis).• Who shall die while selling music… trying to may a way outta no way (#AltonSterling).
• Who shall die while sleeping (#AiyanaJones)• Who shall die while worshipping the Lrd (#Charleston9).
• Who shall die while for a traffic violation (#SandraBland).• Who shall die while coming from the store (#MikeBrown and #TrayvonMartin).
• Who shall die while playing cops and robbers (#TamirRice).• Who shall die while lawfully carrying a weapon (#PhilandoCastile, #FreddieGray).
• Who shall die while on the shoulder of the road with car problems (#CoreyJones #TerrenceCrutcher).• Who shall die in the first hours of the new year (#OscarGrant).
• Who shall die while shopping at Walmart (#JohnCrawford).• Who shall die while cashing a check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood).• Who shall die while reading a book in their own car (#KeithScott).
• Who shall die while taking a walking with their stepfather (#CliffordGlover).• Who shall die while reaching for their wallet (#AmadouDiallo).
• Who shall die while running away (#WalterScott).• Who shall die while asking a cop a question (#RandyEvans).
• Who shall die while begging for their life, a breath (#EricGarner #GeorgeFloyd).• Who shall die by the effects of supremacy, greed, and apathy…who by beast, indeed
“But repentance, prayer and charity temper judgement’s severe decree”“But repentance, prayer and charity avert judgement’s severe decree”?But turning, connection and giving, these return us to our Gd?Whose repentance? Whose prayer? Whose charity?Temper, please temperTemper already! Temper…
For sins against Gd, the Day of Atonement brings forgiveness; for sins against one’s fellowman, the Day of Atonement brings no forgiveness till he has become reconciled with the fellowman he wronged.
“the Day of Atonement brings no forgivenesstill he has become reconciled with the fellowman he wronged.”When will you atone? How will you atone?
For you, like us, will be judged.You, like us, will return to dust.
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Ramarley GrahamFEBRUARY 2, 2012
Amadou DialloFEBRUARY 4, 1999
Amoud AberyFEBRUARY 23, 2020
Trayvon MartinFEBRUARY 26, 2012
Brionna TaylorMARCH 13, 2020
Rekia BoydMARCH 21, 2012
Freddie GrayAPRIL 12, 2015
George FloydMAY 25, 2020
Tony McDadeMAY 27, 2020
David McAteeJUNE 4, 2020
Delrawn SmallJULY 4, 2016
Alton SterlingJULY 5, 2016
Philando CastileJULY 6, 2016
Sandra BlandJULY 15, 2013
Eric GarnerJULY 17, 2014
Michael BrownAUGUST 9, 2014
Emmett TillAUGUST 28, 1955
Eleanor BumpersOCTOBER 29, 1984
Tanisha AndersonNOVEMBER 13, 2014
Akai GurleyNOVEMBER 20, 2014
Tamir RiceNOVEMBER 22, 2014
Sean BellNOVEMBER 25, 2006
Malissa WilliamsNOVEMBER 29, 2012
5. YAHRZEIT DATES
9
LAURA WEIL
Ritual Team
This ritual was crafted by Ruben Abrahams Brosbe, Ariana Capptauber,
Ayelet Cohen, Barat Ellman, Madeleine George, Cindy Greenberg, Melanie Kern,
Ellen Lippmann, Jeremy Nicholson, Meirav Ong, and Hannah Rosner
Design Team
This booklet was designed by Samantha Fine, Elana Hubert, and Baci Weiler, with support from Tom Haviv & Rebecca Katz
June 2020 / Sivan 5780