How to use Yizkor

Introduction

World ORT's Yizkor programme is divided into four main sections. Three of these sections, Personal Practice, Synagogue Service and Insights and Ideas give you cultural and background information about Yahrzeit customs and practices.

In order to navigate around the programme, click on the graphic or text titles. Any text item that has a link will highlight in blue when the cursor is passed over it.

In the Synagogue Service section to navigate back to the contents section of Synagogue Service, click on the page heading.

We welcome your own ideas, thoughts and personal prayers for the Insights and Ideas section. They will assessed by our Yizkor moderator who will, if suitable, add them to the website.

Memorial section

This is the main section for the online memorials and email Yahrzeit reminders. You will need to register in order to use this section. This is so that we can create a unique ID for you and to preserve your privacy.

Click on the 'Register' button and fill in your username and name.

A password will be automatically generated and sent to you via email. Once you have received your password you can 'Login'. Logging in enables you to change and personalise your password to make it more memorable. You will also be able to create a new memorial or change any personal details. Please make a note of your username and password and keep them safe.

To create an online memorial, click the button 'Create Memorial & Reminder'. Enter the name of the deceased and choose whether you would like the online memorial to be viewed publically by ticking the box. If the box is unticked the memorial will be private and will only be viewable by private members.

Check the box for 'after sunset', if necessary, to make sure you receive the correct readings/prayers and Yahrzeit dates. Just these few details creates a basic online memorial and automatically sets up the email Yahrzeit reminder service.

All choices under 'Edit Memorial' are optional, however, you are given the opportunity to add many personal details about your loved one as well as adding a photograph. To add a photo click 'Browse'. This takes a link from your own computer and puts it into the memorial. You are also given the ability to type the deceased persons name in Hebrew and change the look of your memorial plaque.

Click 'Update & View' to see any changes you have made, and 'Update & Return' to go back to the admin. page.

Memorial prayer

Whilst setting up a memorial you can enter the deceased name in Hebrew. This will allow their name in the memorial prayer to be viewed in Hebrew and English by toggling a button. If no Hebrew name is entered, then the memorial prayer will appear in English only.

Please note that this function is not supported in all browsers. We suggest that the latest MS Internet Explorer browser is used for correct functioning.

Torah readings

Each memorial has a list of Yahrzeit dates for the next five years and a link for the appropriate Torah reading. If you click on the 'Torah reading' link it will take you to World ORT's Navigating the Bible II program. Click on the blue links to read the Torah or Haftarot reading. Feel free to navigate your way around this new program.

Email Yahrzeit service

On the Adminstrative page, you can also set up the 'Reminder' service. When you register, this service is automatically set up for you to recieve email reminders. Other members of your family and friends can recieve email reminders by nominating them on the admin. page. Once nominated an automatic email will be sent to them asking if they will accept or decline the use of this service. On the Yahrzeit of a loved one you and any nominated members will receive an email informing you of the Yizkor date and with a link to the online memorial.

How to hear the prayers

The prayers have been especially recorded for this programme by Cantor Chaim Adler. We offer them as Realplayer files. This means that you must have RealPlayer installed in order for the sound files to play on your computer. We recommend that you use the latest version of Realplayer.

Problems

If whilst browsing through the Yahrzeit memorial section the memorial prayer or the memorial plaque becomes confused or disappears, refresh the browser window.

Whilst navigating and editing a memorial, use the buttons that have been included as part of the Yizkor program. Clicking backwards or forwards using your browser's buttons could mean that changes are not stored.