Dear Friends,
If I had to list some of the top transformative events of my life they would be: spending a gap year in Israel, becoming an educator, getting married, witnessing the birth of our four children, walking our first child down the aisle, and this week I would add to my top ten list welcoming our first grandchild into the world.
This last event, however, which includes witnessing our grandson’s bris this week on Tu B’Av will forever be marked with an asterisk in my personal history book. The bittersweet feeling of being unable and unallowed to join in the in-person celebration of one of my life cycle events was and is palpable
At times of challenge it can be productive and helpful to attempt to express creativity to channel the emotional energy stirred up by adversity. Rather than wallow in resentment at the governmental regulations limiting my international movements, I chose to write a poem to read at the Zoom Bris this week and I would like to share that with you.
A Long Distance Bris
We don’t want to dis
But something is amiss
We will miss in person this bliss
So I’m reading this at his bris
Please give the baby a kiss
From his grandparents and his father’s sis
Since it is what it is
Sababa, this Abba is a Saba of a Sabra
May he grow IY”H Mcahn Ulehabah
To become a Gavra Raba
Who lives a Long Life worthy of Olam Haba
Our Ahavah Rabbah feels richer than owning Alibaba
This Levi welcomes our baby Levi
With love into our lives
Who knew when our Levi lived in Machon Lev
He would leave Lev to live and love a Levy
And have a baby Levi Bris at the Levys
We’re sorry we can’t be leaving to be
In the land of the living
But our longing is lingering
Elisha Alissa Batsheva and Yaffa say Halleluyah
We hope LShanah Habaah BYerushalayim Habenuyah
As we all continue to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic we can strive to unleash our creativity to help deal with the inevitable unpredictable rapids as we kayak down the river of life.
May we all merit soon to attend all of our joyous occasions and celebrate them in person safely, together with our loved ones.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Elisha Paul
