One that really stands out is the Rosh Hashanahs we had until the pandemic of covid 19 in 2020.
We started about 45 years ago , 1976, with just OUR immediate family, probably 10 people. My parents, Ginger, David, Rachael & Eddie. My parents would come in from Florida a few days early to help get things ready. I loved doing the flowers thru the years and I felt so accomplished when everyone commented, we used 3 sets of China, silverware, and linen napkins. I made everything…Challahs, chicken salad, noodle kugel, poached salmon, potato pancakes , vegetables & fruit & all the desserts! Everything had to be easy to eat, no cutting, as we now had a lot of people and everyone sat around, holding their plates in their laps. Dad & I loved the planning & creativity, and always kept in mind we were creating a “memory for our children” of how beautiful we as a Jewish family celebrate one of our holiest of holidays, in the most warm and beautiful way possible, as a family, with dear friends old and new.
Through the years the extended family was invited along with many friends , ours friends and Lauren and Allison’s it grew each year as our Rosh Hashanah open house lunch. Dad and I loved having our family and dear friends and their parents with us in our home.! Pretty soon Jacob was here in 2001! It was especially fun to share with the next generation, Zach made it complete.
As the elders left us the younger generation came with their Baby’s. It was especially a treat, when the children of the children got to be 3ish many of their parents bragged to them how they played on the” hop scotch bright colorful carpeting” (cleaned of course many many times) in basement . It occurred to me that, along with importance of the holiday celebration of our New Year, that if we wanted our grandchildren to be happy we need THEIR friends! So Jacob and when Zachary came along, they each invited 2 or 3 families, Jewish or not! We sent out a lunch invite and it came from, Miles, Addie ,Allison ,Lauren, Mike ,Jacob and Zachary! It was a treat for so many years looking out and seeing 8 or 9 boys tossing the ball around while the girls, played with the doll house built for Lauren and shared by Allison and Rachael! By then we were having much of the holiday catered, though I still made the desserts and kugel. This grew and We cherished each year until the pandemic of Covid-19. In 2020, we only had Us, David & Ginger Rachael & Steve, Serena and Celeste. We put both boards in our table and socially distanced as much as possible. It occurred to me we are almost right back where we started…just immediate family. It also occurred to me that now WE are the elders! Today is July 1, 2021…. not sure what will become of our Rosh Hashanah soiree!
Part of those memories were Allison’s college graduation, Lauren and Mikes engagement . The years Jacob asked to come early to be part of the set-up! Thank you Jacob!
Jacobs Bar Mitzvah was an extraordinary event. Jacob was wonderful, Lauren and Mike planned every detail from the English, Spanish service to everything one could do!
One of the highlights for me was making the beautiful Challahs with Jacob, we battered a little but it gave me enormous pleasure, to do this for both of our grandsons
People will always remember that service with the Rabbi and Cantor participating in the duel language!.
Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah May 2,2020 was cancelled COVID 2020 ,just days after the beautiful invites were received. Zachary wasn’t really upset, but Lauren and Mike were…..we finally had the service July 11,2020 at North Shore congregation, Lauren made masks saying Zachary’s corona virus bar mitzvah..a small party followed at their house and Zach said it was the best party ever!
.Zach did all well but….
Zach gave me a gift…no one else could . Zach’s speech was about carrying my fathers name Emmanuel which is Zach’s middle name. He hit everything on the head and realizes that living up to my Dads reputation as the “kindest, sweetest man in the world” , thinking of others, is a gift God gave Zach . Also My Dad only liked coconut and Mint….Zach also! Thank you Zach!
Both Jacob and Zachary wore the telilis we all bought together on our wonderful trip to Israel when Jacob was bar mitzvah on Masada. Quite a moment in time. Jacob did excellent and we were all very proud.
Another highlight was our family trip to Italy in 2019. Our hope is that these trips & exposure to other places will encourage Jacob and Zachary to “see the world”.
We hope these memories will be “happy memories” Jacob and Zachary with remember fondly and will share with their children!
I must add I was SO happy to pick J&Z up separately from pre-school every Wednesday…Jacob and I played “spy the red truck”, of course he always won!
Zachary sang to me all the way home “small world”, though I could NOT look at him in the rear view mirror! Zach also insisted on driving through McDonalds to get French fries, which HE never once ate! I just loved this time with both!
I must say Lauren and Allison gave me (us FANTASTIC moments from the beautiful speeches made at all the beautiful birthday parties Miles, Lauren and
Allison gave me through the years to the things they wrote. Allison found a tablet where my mother & father wrote about their life. Allison bound it and called it Dad and Me Lovingly Papa and Nonnie! Its a treasure!
I will include it at the very end of this. Blessings on your heads, LAUREN AND ALLISON FOR BEING SO WONDERFUL TO MY PARENTS, I know you prolonged their life! Lauren and my mom were on the same page, they adored each other….Allison and my Dad were connected in a way few people are lucky enough to experience!
