Memorial Prayer for Transgender Day of Remembrance

God full of mercy, bless the souls of all who are in our hearts on this Transgender Day of Remembrance.  We call to mind today young and old, of every race, faith, and gender experience, who have died by violence.  We remember those who have died because they would not hide, or did not pass, or did pass, or stood too proud, or looked like someone who did.  Today we name them: the reluctant activist; the fiery hurler of heels; the warrior for quiet truth; the one whom no one really knew.

As many as we can name, there are thousands more whom we cannot, and for whom no KaddishThe Aramaic memorial prayer for the dead. Mourners recite this prayer at every service, every day, in the presence of a minyan (prayer quorum) over the course of a year (for a parent) or thirty days (for a sibling or offspring). The prayer actually makes no mention of the dead, but rather prays for the sanctification and magnification of God's name. may have been said.  We mourn their senseless deaths, and give thanks for their lives, for their teaching, and for the brief glow of each holy flame.  We pray for the strength to carry on their legacy of vision, bravery, and love.

And as we remember them, we remember with them the thousands more who have taken their own lives.  We pray for resolve to root out the injustice, ignorance, and cruelty that grow despair.  And we pray, God, that all those who perpetrate hate and violence will speedily come to understand that Your creation has many faces, many genders, many holy expressions.

Blessed are they, who have allowed their divine image to shine in the world.

Blessed is God, in Whom no light is extinguished. 

Read “CBST’s Trans Ally Guidelines.”

Rabbi Reuben Zellman
Cooperberg-Rittmaster Rabbinical Intern, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah,
New York City
November 2005

Originally published in SiddurLit. Order of prayers. The prayer book. B’chol L’vavcha by Congregation Beth Simchat TorahThe holiday at the end of Sukkot during which Jews dance with the Torah late into the night. The yearly reading cycle of the Torah is completed and a new cycle is begun. Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah mark the end of the holiday season. In some congregations, the Torah scroll is unrolled in its entirety, and selected verses are read or sections noted. (pg. 198, 2008 edition).