Dear Hevreh,

I’ve experienced many firsts in my time at Beth Mordecai, from lifecycle events to preaching, teaching, and organizing. But none of these firsts can compare to another first that I experienced while being at Beth Mordecai…the first time I became a father.

The wonderful highlights (and rare lowlights) of first year of fatherhood are too numerous and overwhelming to describe in a simple journal. But what I can share is that during this journey, it feels like every step (literally) is a major lifecycle event, every conversation is a chance to teach (and sometimes preach), and every moment is replete with the little details that need to be organized.

And as I reflect on this first year, I realize how Beth Mordecai has been such an important part of the journey of Jonah’s first year. From his first climb up the steps of the Bimah, to his first  meal at kiddush (and so much more) you have bore witness to and participated in so many wonderful moments of Jonah’s first r. I know I speak for Rachel when I say thank you for being such a warm, welcoming and caring community for us, for Jonah and for or whole family. And with that feeling of gratitude, we hour that you can celebrate this journey with us tomorrow with a special birthday kiddush for Jonah after services and Tot Shabbat. May it be the beginning of an even more wonderful journey for this next year..for all of us.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Ari Saks

Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat
Tag : birthday celebration community family father grateful gratefulness rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat message