JEWISH COMMUNITY TO RECITE MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR QUEEN MOTHER

The Chief Rabbi of Britain and the Commonwealth, Dr Jonathan Sacks, has issued a memorial prayer for the Late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. This prayer will be recited in Synagogues across Britain and the Commonwealth this Thursday (4 April), which is the last day of the festival of Passover. The prayer will be recited after the prayer for the Royal Family which is read at all Sabbath and Festival services in British synagogues. The prayer will immediately precede the Yizkor (memorial) prayer which is recited on the final day of Passover. The full text of the memorial prayer for the late Elizabeth the Queen Mother is as follows:

O G-d who is full of compassion
Remember for good and for blessing
Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Who has gone to her eternal rest
Today we give thanks
For her long and gracious life
Dedicated to the service of her people
We remember her years as a true and faithful partner to King George VI
And the strength and solace she brought to the people of Britain
During the dark days of war -
Giving courage at times of danger
And comfort at times of loss
We remember the 50 years, when,
As mother of Her Majesty the Queen
She was a beloved presence in our nation's life
Dignified but never distant
Regal but never remote,
Winning affection by giving affection.
And gaining honour by honouring others
Truly this was one who, like another Queen of old,
"Won favour in the eyes of all beholders"
And we will cherish her memory and count it as a blessing.
O shelter her soul under the shadow of your wings
And may you, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
Bind her soul in the bonds of everlasting life
- And let us say: Amen

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