Companion piece to IDF memorial, with Jewish directive to “Remember,” surrounded by part of mourners’ Kaddish, “May there be abundant peace from heaven…and on all Israel.” Windblown branches represent turmoil and uprooting. Autumn leaves resemble fire, and 6 falling yellow leaves symbolize 6 million who were murdered and the yellow stars they were forced to wear.  The leaves on the ground rise to become the beginning of blossoms of rebuilding lives.

The words are the directive to “Remember” and part of mourners’ Kaddish, “May there be abundant peace from heaven...” The fringe, tzizit, with traditional blue tchelet--a sign of everlasting promise of Jewish continuity—transforms into an olive branch, notes from the national anthem, Hatikva, and the Israeli flag. Six stars with the IDF insignia resemble those on the HolocaustMemorial, and refer to six decades since establishment of the State of Israel.

The theme is the concept of “The Crown of a Good Name.” The verses from Talmud and scripture represent the values of the deceased, his legacy, what it means to leave a good name and his soul in heaven. The long passage is a midrash about the voyage of a soul to heaven.