A message to a new voice - The Jewish Standard

Dearest, newest little girl, you who entered our family, our people, our world, a mere half day ago, welcome!

It was near the closure of an expectant Shabbat when you first appeared amongst us. We could not hear your cry of joy, eager to take your place with your parents and brother and grandparents and us, your great-grandparents, and all of Am Yisrael. It was a cry of determination, to join and proudly wear the mantle of your people. You bring us hope. Your feisty cry tells us that you and your cohort are ready to strengthen our nation and lead us in our yearning for peace.

Our dear brand new baby girl, we have awaited your arrival, eagerly, joyfully, and hopefully. You, and those other newcomers just like you, already have an agenda to fulfill. We, the so-called adults have failed to make things better in a troubled world. You have been born into times of war, challenging times when your people, whose commitment will shape you, and instill ahavat Yisrael in your very soul, need you to create a world of love and joy and blessing and peace. It’s a big burden for a tiny person, but you have entered a time in our history when the rest of the world scorns your people.

The plans are already made. You will be a proud Jew and you will be an educated Jew. You will live your life according to the Jewish calendar. You were born on Shabbat. That news was not shared, even with your closest loved ones, until that holy day ended. That will be a paradigm for your life!

You will learn the tenets of your people every single moment of your life. You will be surrounded by holy books and adherence to holy actions and traditions. You will not be an accidental Jew. You will be a determined Jew.

Israel, so much a part of your family’s life, will soon welcome you to its shores, and your footsteps will join theirs on the familiar, sacred, and holy streets of Jerusalem.

You have entered a world where Jews in their land are accused of despicable crimes and Jews throughout the world are, yet again, being treated as pariahs, and where internecine fighting is threatening to tear us apart. You need not even ask what the task is! It is to bring respect and love to the fore and to allow those of the future of our people, people just like you, to grow up in tranquility, freedom, and joy.

Dearest beloved child of ours, we do not even yet know your name, but we know with certainty it will be a name that identifies you instantly as one of us, a name you will bear with pride. We pray that your name and your dedication and loyalty will inspire you to become a fearless leader, a woman of valor. We pray that you will live a long and healthy life, dedicated to maasim tovim.

We wish you l’chaim and we wish you shalom. Ken yehi ratzon!

Rosanne Skopp of West Orange is a wife, mother of four, grandmother of 14, and great-grandmother of 12. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and a dual citizen of the United States and Israel. She is a lifelong blogger, writing blogs before anyone knew what a blog was! She welcomes email at rosanne.skopp@gmail.com

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