13 Years A Jew

Today marks 13 years since I stepped out of the mikvah at Tiferet as a Jew-by-Choice. As I’ve said many times, this journey hasn’t always been easy, but it is one I have never regretted.

This weekend, Temple is hosting the incredible Jewish children’s musician Jason Mesches and we went to All-In Shabbat last night. At least three people came up to me just to say how much they love seeing Eliza at Temple and how she runs around like she owns the place. During the service, she wandered right onto the bimah without a second thought and danced her little heart out.

I can’t fully put into words what it means to watch her feel so completely at home there. Temple is already her second home. She is free and brave and joyful and so unapologetically herself. I hope she carries that spirit with her always.

When I converted, I dreamed of raising my future family in this community. And now that it’s real, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. What a gift it is to watch her fall in love with this community like I did all those years ago.

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.