God, full of mercy, bless the souls of all who are in our hearts on this Transgender Day of Remembrance; let their souls be bound up in the bond of life. All of them are holy and pure, cedars of Lebanon and giants of Torah. Let their rest be in the Garden of Eden.

We rest under the trees of those who fought for their right to live as themselves, who bravely allowed the world to witness their strength and beauty. The shade of a shawl, the warmth of a hug, and the fierceness of spirit flows l’dor v’dor, generation to generation. 

For those uprooted before they could reach the sky, we remember and honor you. For those lost to violence and hatred, we remember and honor you. May the divine’s holy mercy hold those who have been lost to cruelty, of which there are too many.

May the branches of our ancestors spread over us sukkat shalom, a shelter of peace. 

May their roots ground us in our history as we reach toward our future. 

We plant the garden for those who come after us, and nourish it with the joy of community. The flowers for our people that flourish for those who fight today, breathe tomorrow, and live in every generation.

Blessed are you, Adonai our God, ruler of the universe, who transforms the memory of the dead into the strength of the living. 

ברוך אתה ה’ אלוהינו מלך העולם ההופך את הזיכרונותם הנפטרים לגבורותייהם החיים.

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Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity.  Stay connected by joining our email list and following us on social media.

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