Share the Vigil: Bearing Witness to Honor the Living and the Dead
(As of 6/1/2025)
Grounded in ancient practice, remote vigil-keeping is a way to bear witness and extend ultimate kindness to ALL: near and far, whether named or unknown.
Vigil-keepers of all backgrounds and creeds are welcome — with full respect for our diversity of faith and non-faith traditions, and with the understanding that we hold diverse understandings of current tragedies in our world on fire.
As the current Israeli/Palestinian cycle of bloodshed extends beyond 600 days of violent devastation, we remain especially mindful of the tens of thousands of bodies yet to be reclaimed, identified, and buried — in keeping with our kindred Abrahamic traditions.
That's where vigil-keeping comes in.
As we did for 500 days of pandemic, we continue to keep vigil as volunteers across faith traditions, generations and time zones, at regular hours around the clock. The power and beauty of vigil-keeping is that we can bear witness to ALL of our imperatives to mourn AND organize — each in our own personal way.
Please join us.
1) Who can participate?
We are honoring the dead and bearing witness to the suffering of the living. Vigil-keepers of all backgrounds and creeds are welcome — with full respect for our diversity of faith and non-faith traditions, and with the understanding that we hold diverse views of the current crisis.
2) How do I get there? Do I need a computer link?
This is a remote vigil, from your home or wherever you may be sitting. No computer access is necessary. Please choose a place that you can sit quietly for an hour, and start from there.
3) How much time do I need to commit?
Our vigil intention is to bring as much compassionate presence as possible to the suffering around the clock. As one of our past volunteers commented, “I think if we did get [full weekly coverage], the Earth would shift.”
Most individuals and groups have joined us with weekly commitments, and we are currently covering one out of every ~8 hours 24/7. We are now also extending an invitation to volunteers who would like to take a single uncovered hour as the spirit moves you — and as well as special one-time commitment opportunities on January 9-10 (the Day of General Kaddish).
Please write to SharetheVigil@gmail.com to receive roster updates, and indicate whether you would like to cover a regular hour or to take a no-obligation uncovered hour at your discretion.
4) What should I be doing during my vigil hour?
Some of our veteran vigil-keepers have shared their experiences here. Vigils can be kept alone or shared, sitting in mindful silence or singing, playing musical instruments, chanting sacred texts or reading other appropriate material. Your focus and experience are likely to change from day to day.
Those who already maintain a regular meditation practice are welcome to include this vigil in their practice. If you would like further guidance or suggestions, please contact us via SharetheVigil@gmail.com.
We hold periodic online vigil-keeper gatherings to debrief and share experiences.
5) Shouldn't we be working for change instead of just sitting there? What about “Don't mourn, organize”?
“Don’t mourn, organize!” abbreviates a telegram of immigrant labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill before his execution in 1915 — but his final words actually expressed concern about what would happen to his body.
At these times of crisis, when so many of us face deep questions about how to be most effective, the capacity to sit quietly for an hour to honor the dead can help us continue to clarify our priorities for engaged action on behalf of the living.
One way to connect the vigil with engaged action is to consider the range of lifesaving and life-affirming organizations that need our financial support at this time — not only for the crises that are currently making headlines, but for all those struggling near and far. Please see Just-Giving in Action for possibilities.
6) How long will we be doing this?
Each of us will need to answer this question for ourselves. We don't know how long this crisis will last, but we do know that the suffering will continue for a very long time to come. We encourage you to let us know if and when your schedule and commitments change, so that we can thank you and offer any debriefing that may be supportive.
Pausing to find stillness at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of our busy days, we can continue to honor all those whose deaths and lives intimately connect us with our own humanity. For some of us, this may be part of a lifelong process.
7) Yes, but _______?!
If you have read this far, there may be something in this opportunity that speaks to you. Please write to SharetheVigil@gmail.com with any further questions or concerns — as well as to join the vigil if you feel ready.
Thank you for considering this imperative of ultimate kindness. Your caring presence means more than anyone can ever say.
Ar Hyd y Nos / All Through the Night
Original Welsh poem by John Ceiriog Hughes (1832-1887)
New singable English rendering lovingly dedicated
to all the dead, survivors, and vigil-keepers everywhere
All the eyelids of the stars say—
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
“Vale of glory beckons this way”
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
Suffering at these times is winter
Yet to beautify life further
We’ll put our weak light together
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT
“Share the Vigil” is a How to Mourn AND Organize initiative of WAYS OF PEACE. For more information, please see Share the Vigil: Looking Back, Moving Forward. To support or join the vigil, please write to SharetheVigil@gmail.com.