Jewish family memory
What is a yahrzeit?
A yahrzeit is the annual remembrance of a person's death according to the Jewish calendar. Its civil-calendar date can change each year, so save the Hebrew date alongside the original civil record.
By Pinkas · Updated September 28, 2026
A practical first step
Gather the person's name, date of death, place, and whether the death was before or after sunset. Keep a photograph or citation for the record rather than relying on a copied calendar entry.
An example to follow
A family may remember an October civil date while observing the Hebrew anniversary in September the next year. These can both be correct: label which calendar each date uses.
Keep the record useful for the next relative
Save the original item or recording, the source of each claim, and the date you added the note. Label estimates and disputed details. Decide who should have access before inviting other people to help.