One of the most sacred traditions in Jewish life is remembering those who came before us. At Oheb Shalom, we hold that memory in our hearts. We remember loved ones at services during Yizkor prayers, by saying mourner’s kaddish, and on our very walls. Inscribing the names of deceased family members in our communal spaces is a reminder of lives lived, legacies carried forward, and the enduring presence of those we love.

We are pleased to share that we will soon be installing new memorial boards and plaques in Founder’s Hall (the lobby gathering space outside of the chapel and sanctuary), replacing the ones that have been out of service. We are deeply grateful to the generous donors who are making this renovation possible, and to the committee that has selected with great care new boards that will meet the needs of the community.

The installation comes with an opportunity for all of us to honor loved ones with newly dedicated plaques. These will reflect the dignity and warmth of our community, offering a beautiful and lasting way to commemorate family members and friends.

If you would like to dedicate a plaque in memory of a loved one, or reserve a plaque for future use, now is the time. Each plaque will be engraved with the individual’s English name and the date of their passing in both Gregorian and Hebrew dates. As is our tradition, plaques will be lit during the week of the yahrzeit (date of death) and when we recite Yizkor memorial prayers (including on Yom Kippur).

To reserve a plaque, please visit this dedicated order form. Costs are detailed below. The proceeds will help support the effort to renew the memorial boards and refresh the interior of Founder’s Hall with new wall coverings, which is an attendant part of the project.

If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Aaron at ghaaron44@gmail.com. 

Plaque reservations must be made no later than Friday, May 23. There will be space for more plaques for families to dedicate in future years, but that’s the deadline for names to be added prior to Yom Kippur this fall.

We hope you will take part in this meaningful act of remembrance, ensuring that the names and stories of those we love lluminate our community for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Abigail Treu
Lorraine Survis
Gloria Aaron