Mourner's Kaddish - Interpretive Translation (The Amen Effect p. 17-19)

INT. SYNAGOGUE - DAY

The MOURNER - tired, disoriented, teary - rises. The community stops its quiet chatter and looks over as he begins, slowly, almost in a whisper.

MOURNER

I am in anguish -

In one, unified voice, the community responds.

COMMUNITY

Amen! We're right here. We see you.

The MOURNER takes a breath and continues.

MOURNER

I don't know how to hold this pain.

COMMUNITY AND MOURNER

Amen! We wish it could be different.

MOURNER

I'm afraid I'll forget the sound of her voice, the smell of her hair.

COMMUNITY

Amen. We will never let her disappear from this world. We will say her name and honor her memory. Amen!

MOURNER

I can't do this alone.

COMMUNITY

Amen. We're not going anywhere. We can't take your pain away, but we can cry with you and laugh with you. We can hear the same story as many times as you need to tell it. We can help you remember. Amen!