A couple called me, last winter, to plan a baby naming for their beautiful, one-year-old daughter, Ava. The mother hailed from sunny California and had converted to Judaism. Her husband had been raised in a Jewish home and wanted to perpetuate the religion for his kids.We met at my apartment in NYC and I learned about their lives, past and present, as parents. He lived within ten minutes of his job and could come home for lunch to be with his kids. A true modem father. She seemed to handle both children effortlessly in a laid-back, warm, and empowering manner.
The service included the grandparents reciting short prayers and lovely blessings. I led a group of 40 people present in their living room in Hine Ma Tov . The English translation is “How good and pleasing if people could sit together in unity.” We joined hands and all sang it together.I explained that naming is a way the Jewish people have of linking the past,, present, and future, as a name of the child is taken from a deceased relative. It is the true realization of L’Dor va ‘Dor, which means “From generation to generation.”
