“We Jews remember. We remember our history and honor our ancestors. We are called B’nai Yisrael, the descendants of those who came before us, whose stories make us who we are. In turn, we claim our place as the next link in the chain of Jewish history, turning the past into present and the future. Remembering strengthens us as individuals and sustains a people.” – Rabbi Judy Shanks
“For as long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us as, We remember them.” – “We Remember Them” by Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer
When you walk into Temple Shalom, as you venture to the gift shop or take a right to go to the Chapel, you pass our beautiful Temple Shalom Memorial Plaque. But how did this beautiful plaque come to be? A brief history:
- A Task Force was established to research a Memorial Plaque, headed by Howard Polakoff in the early part of 2000.
- At a Temple Executive Board meeting on September 25, 2000, two proposals were shown to the Executive Board. Of the two proposals, our current plaque, the Executive Board was told, would be privately funded.
- At the monthly Temple Board meeting on October 2, 2000, a motion was made by Mark Fishkind to accept the Executive Board’s proposal of a Memorial Plaque, with 300 lighted plaques. It was discussed that this plaque would be privately funded by two Temple Shalom members. The motion passed.
- As of June 26, 2001, the Temple raised over $14,000 from the sale of memorial plaques.
- The Memorial Plaque was dedicated in 2001 and has been a focal point ever since.
- As of September 18, 2022, we have under 20 plaque spaces available.
Our Jewish Tradition calls upon us to remember our loved ones. Our Temple Shalom Memorial Plaques do just this in a meaningful and lasting way. Memorial Plaques serve as a lasting tribute to our loved ones. Each plaque has two memorial lights that are lit to commemorate our loved ones on the Hebrew anniversary of their passing, and during the High Holidays.
As it is written in Psalm 112.6, “the righteous will be remembered forever.”