Reflection: Kaddish Around the World

Kaddish Around the World

By Barb Nyman

The Rabbi asked if I would write something. It took a while, which made my sharing list longer. I am a travelling member of the Temple, the wandering Jew.

When COVID hit, Holy Blossom was able to pivot in a way that would personally be of great benefit. Holy Blossom enabled me to say Kaddish via Zoom for the two years following my parents’ passing. My father passed in September of 2020. At his funeral, Rabbi Splansky offered my brother and me full access to services. (My sister has been a member for many years.) I had never been a member of a synagogue. The invitation from the Rabbi and the beautiful welcome from the congregants were game changers. I am now a distance member.

When Dad passed, Holy Blossom morning and evening services were only online. I have never been very observant; however, I felt the need to say Kaddish twice a day. The Temple made it easy with the Zoom services. During COVID, when I was taking care of my mom, she loved to hear and watch the services. As I age and people in my life pass, my spiritual connection as a Jew has become more important.

When mom was dying (a year after dad), she asked if I would say Kaddish for her. “Of course I will! At least once a day and twice when I can.” This promise made Mom very happy. I said Kaddish twice a day when my mom passed in September of 2021, until I started travelling in March for a new job. My new job took me to many places in the East. The time differences were a challenge, but I was able to get to Zoom prayers at least once a day from March of 2022 until September to fulfill my promise to my mom. Promise or no promise, my heart felt that this was the right thing to do. I was able to show my respect to my mom from Toronto, Dubai, the Maldives, Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok and Hanoi. I was able to attend the Tuesday evening Bereavement Group, but for me, it was often Wednesday morning.

I will be forever grateful to Holy Blossom and the community for making me feel at home. Since the end of my mourning period, I have tuned in for Yahrtzeit and comfort from home when I’m so far away. When travelling these days, I continue to use services and the Temple as a kind of touchstone that connects me to home. This is especially necessary since October 7th. I am thrilled that the synagogue continues to deliver livestream and Zoom alternatives. It’s not the same as being there in person, but since I finished saying Kaddish for my parents, I continue to join in and connect from Arizona, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, Boise, Skamania, Seattle and Phuket. I’m sure as I continue my travels, I will always find my way back to Holy Blossom.