A Caregiver’s Kaddish for a Patient

Is it possible to allow time in a medical practice to really notice who has died and what they have meant to those who have been involved in their care?

It is traditional to say Kaddish once burial has taken place. There are several forms of Kaddish in Jewish liturgy more familiar among them are the Reader's Kaddish, hatzi-kaddish, Kaddish d'rabbanan (respect for teachers) and Mourner's Kaddish.

This caregiver's Kaddish is based on the internal meaning of the traditional Kaddish, and is designed to be said by the professional staff. This could really be a Kaddish said by any professional care giver - chaplain, home health aide, therapist, etc.

Note: While family and friends certainly are often the primary caregivers, the traditional Kaddish seems more appropriate for them in its traditional times and places.

We gather for just a few minutes to acknowledge and mourn

the passing of ___________ __________ , whom we cared for

in this practice.

As his/her physician/nurse/caregiver, etc.

I have a few memories of him/her to share.

I also invite those our staff to engage in this mitzvah of "zakhor" - remembering.

[Allow time for sharing memories of person who has died, then continue below]

Those who are comfortable doing so, please join me in a Kaddish

prayer: Also, feel free to express your own words of prayer.

Yitgadal, v’yitkadash.

Ever expanding in our awareness is the miracle of life.

That connects every cell to each other and every life to one another.

Yet, in all the worlds of possibility only certain paths do cross.

Let us say, Amen.

Y’hay shlamah rabbah min shamaya

How surprising and what a blessing it is to serve

and when required, to help escort a soul past its ties to the body.

Let us say, Amen.

Oseh shalom bimrohmahv

May the Source of ultimate wholeness,

support us in creating peace and healing for all -

mind, body, spirit and planet.

Let us say, Amen.

May our memories of ___________ ________________

always be for a blessing.

Let us say, Amen.

[Note: Hold onto some silence here, try not to rush right into work.]

Jointly composed by Rabbi Dr. Goldie Milgram and Barry Bub, M.D.