At the Hand of Anti-Semitism: A Yizkor Prayer

imagesThis Yizkor prayer is for victims of anti-Semitism and it includes prayers for victims in every generation, for the defenders of Israel and for the righteous of all nations. I wrote it on the day of the funerals for Rabbi Jonathan Sandler z”l and three children, Gabriel Sandler z”l (age 4), Arieh Sandler z”l (age 5) and Miriam Monsonego z”l (age 7) – killed in Toulouse, France, in a brutal act of hatred. This prayer appears in my book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

At the Hand of Anti-Semitism: A Yizkor Prayer
Creator of all,
Source and shelter,
Grant a perfect rest under your tabernacle of peace
To ______________________ (name),
My [father / mother / sister / brother / child / wife / dear one/ friend]
Whose life was [lives were] cut off by violence,
An act of witless aggression
And calculated anti-Semitism.
We remember his / her / their wisdom, talents and skills,
Joy, laughter and tears.
We remember the works of his / her / their hands
And the message of his / her / their heart[s].
Let these memories continue to bless us
Even as we pray for him / her / them to find peace
In the world to come.
Remember the virtues of those who’ve died
At the hand of malice
In every generation.
Bless the defenders of Israel
With safety and strength,
And the righteous of all nations who
Provide protection, shelter and comfort
To our people.
Put an end to anger, hatred and fear
And lead us to a time when no one will suffer at the hand of another,
Speedily, in our days.
May the memory [memories] of _____________________ be sanctified with joy and love.
May his / her / their soul[s] be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.

© 2012 Alden Solovy and tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.

Postscript: This prayer is an adaptation of two of my other Yizkor prayers: “At the Hand of Violence” and “At the Hand of Terror.” Please also read “For the Jews of France,” a prayer for safety and healing. This prayer appears in my new book, Jewish Prayers of Hope and Healing.

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Photo SOurce: KacholVelavan

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