Shabbat Gathering: Kaddish.

Brian D. Johnson

06 Mar 2026 • 4 min read

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

For reasons we all know all too well, my thoughts have been turning to mourning. Kaddish is the prayer we say when we're in mourning and tonight we are mourning because Stormy passed away this week. There are plenty of rules about who should say Kaddish and when it should be said. Our little group has a more expansive view of Kaddish. We say Kaddish almost every week. Tonight, we'll say Kaddish for Stormy. He was a vital member of our group for years. We supported each other through good times and bad.

Below is an English translation of Kaddish. As you'll probably note, the idea of death and mourning don't appear in the prayer. Instead, we pray about Hashem and Hashem's greatness.

Kaddish.

Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world
which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days,
and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon;
and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored,
adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He,
beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that
are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.