12 Years Out Of The Mikvah

12 years ago, I came out of the mikvah at Tiferet Israel. I had just had an epic screaming match with my mom over her place in my new Jewish life and while I was uncertain about so much, I knew that converting was absolutely the right choice. 

I say this every year, but this path has had more than its fair share of hard moments. Despite that, I have never regretted that decision. Even my mom came to realize how important that turn in the road was for me and what a huge role the community would play in my life once she was gone. 

Stephen and I took Eliza to tot Shabbat tonight. She was giggling with Stephen and walking around, just watching and exploring. Then we went to the grown-up Shabbat, where Eliza was whisked away by Livia and Shira, two of our friends and Eliza’s aunties. They played with her in the back of Stern Chapel, helping her go up the stairs and eventually soothing her when she started fussing. She ended up falling asleep in Livia’s arms. What a perfect Jewish moment and way to mark this anniversary. 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.