Sager Family Blog: November 2010

11/29/2010

Saying goodbye

It sure is hard to leave Baby Gefen and her big sister and brother, but that's life.

We are posting some of the pictures from the last few days and we'll be posting more soon.

See you soon, Sabba and Sabbi.

11/22/2010

Baby gets a bath!

Who doesn't love a bath!

Gefen certainly loved her first bath! And oh what fun it is to be wrapped in a warm towel and then go to sleep....

11/21/2010

First the baby is born, then she is named, then it is time to party! Ariele & Avrami welcomed their new baby into the community by naming her on Shabbat morning, and then celebrating her arrival and naming with a party just after Shabbat ended on Saturday night.

Maya and Daniyel were quite excited to get the party started!

Avrami's sister, Sheba, planned and prepared a spectacular event with lovely food, desserts, wine, and plenty of chocolate.

Ariele, her father, and the rabbi of the community each gave a beautiful talk about Gefen's name and its meaning and significance.

Gefen ("grapevine") reminds us of the wine that is used to sanctify all Jewish celebrations and holidays. Yael, named for Ariele's grandfather Julius (Yoel), is a combination of two names for God. We wish for Gefen Yael that she be strong and steadfast like a grapevine, be gentle and loyal like her great-grandfather, and be godly in her world.

Mazal tov to the grandparents and the Rosen and Sager family!

11/20/2010

Baby gets a name

There is usually a "hum" in the synagogue -- not noise per se, but an outcome of the special joy of being in community. However, after our son-in-law, Avram, made the blessing dedicating a portion of the Torah reading, a profound quiet covered the crowd. "May the One who blessed our ancestors bless the newborn and may she be called in Israel: GEFEN YAEL." Silence erupted into celebration; people sang and threw candy. The parents smiled; the grandparents shed tears of joy.

Gefen means "vine" -- a sturdy, steadfast carrier of many kinds of fruits. Gefen has a long and noble history of being transplanted. Israel itself is called a gefen transplanted back to its home from Egypt.

All fruits that come from a gefen receive the blessing, "Baruch ata...borei p'ri ha'etz/Praised are You who creates the fruit of the tree." Only over wine is God celebrated as "borei p'ri ha-gefen"/creator of the fruit of the vine. Of course, wine is not a fruit nor is it a creation unique to God. Rather, wine attests to a unique partnership between the Creator and the creative. We give credit to the Creator and to the carrier of fruit and tradition -- for our Gefen.

The name Yael locates the baby in wide and small circles of memory. Yael was a biblical hero. But Yoel, Gefen's great-grandfather of blessed memory, was a hero of her family in recent memory. Yoel, Julius, was kindhearted and wise. He could build almost anything, specializing in building relationships with his grandchildren. May his fruits be carried by this new Gefen Yael, this steadfast vine nourished by soil and soul. Mazal Tov!

11/17/2010

Homecoming

Our newest granddaughter came home today!

Maya is so thrilled to be able to cuddle with her little sister -- she will be a fabulous mother's helper! Daniyel is not quite sure what to make of all this, but he stops by the baby periodically and gives her a quick, gentle kiss on the head. He then resumes playing with his new truck, which seems to be attracting much more attention than the little pink bundle! Stay tuned!

11/16/2010

Big Brother, Big Sister

Maya and Daniyel love their big brother, big sister gifts!

11/15/2010

Waiting for the baby to come home

How shall we pass the time while waiting for the baby to come home from the hospital. A trip to the park, of course! Enjoy some pictures of Maya and Daniyel while we await the baby's homecoming....