Mishkan Ha'am The Westchester-Riverdale Reconstructionist Group

Introduction to Our Baby’s Name By Way of a Shavuot Thought

            Shavuot might be the most underrated holiday on the Jewish calendar.  Typically understood as the celebration of the supernatural tale of G-d giving Moses the Torah on Mount Sinai, there are actually several other interesting themes embedded in the holiday.  I would like to point out two, often overlooked, subjects highlighted during Shavuot which I find particularly meaningful this year.  

            First is the idea of conversion.  Traditionally, the book of Ruth is read on Shavuot to connect us to the first story recorded of a Jew by choice.  Rabbi Zalman Schachter Shalomi says that “in today’s world, we are all Jews by choice.”   Nevertheless, people who convert to Judaism often pose intellectual and spiritual challenges for those who were born Jewish.  Their curiosity, commitment and motivation, not to mention their lack of baggage, can offer a fresh perspective on the “Jewish project” (whatever THAT means).  As a historically syncretistic religion,  Jews from every generation have been impacted by people and forces outside of our communities.  Having worked with over fifteen conversion candidates in the past three years, each fresh pair of eyes has brought an unpredictable newness that always feels unique and ripe with potential, sort of like a new child. 

            Speaking of which, the second symbol of Shavuot that I find meaningful comes from one of the holiday’s nicknames – Chag Ha’bikurim, holiday of the first fruits.  This is the name referenced in the Torah which ties the holiday to its ancient agricultural roots.  Some of you who are involved in CSA’s or farmers markets might be noticing that new fruits and vegetables are coming into season now.  So too, in Temple Times, there were major rituals to celebrate this seasonal moment.  New fruits deserve to be celebrated whether they are actual fruits or the fruits of our labor. 

           Which brings me to my final point.  As most of you know, Olivia and I are finally experiencing our first fruits with the birth of our son Benjamin.  Because of timing and location, most of you were not at Benjamin’s bris, but with the summer fast approaching, I wanted to make sure everyone could see how we chose the name. 

            The following is the speech Olivia and I delivered at the bris about how we named our Son Benjamin Joly Weinberg or in Hebrew Binyamin Simcha Weinberg  

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We are not by nature a very superstitious couple, but before Benjamin was born there was something really important about people wishing us a B’sha’a Tova, a blessing that everything should happen at a good time – and with G-d’s help – the right time.   We appreciated the mazal tovs too, don’t get me wrong, but you, Benjamin, you came at the Sha’a Tova, the time you were meant to come and it has already impacted who you are and how we came up with your name. 

Olivia: I'll start by saying a few words about Benjamin's English middle name. Joly is my last name. I got it from my dad, who got it from his dad and our ancestry can be traced back to the 16th century in France. By giving this name, I want to honor my paternal grandfather, Gerard Jacques Joly, but known to his 24 grandchildren as Bon Papa. Though an only child, my grandfather and my grandmother went on to have 6 children and 24 grandchildren. Benjamin is their 26th great grandchild. Joly is originally a Swedish name and means joyous.  There will hopefully be many joyous days in Benjamin's life.  

Ezra: For Benjamin’s Hebrew middle name we are choosing to call him Simcha, which  also means Joy.  It often refers to a joyous occasion.   Sometimes a simcha is obvious, like a wedding, but sometimes it is hidden.  It’s not always apparent, even at a bris, how to fully express the feeling of simcha, especially in a world filled with so much brokenness.  We expect that the experience of raising our son will give us many opportunities to learn about joy.  But ultimately through our life choices, connection to the Jewish community, and our marriage, it is our hope bring more simcha into the world.   B’sha’a Tova, may there be timely, clutch joy in all of our lives. 

Olivia:  Benjamin or Binyamin in Hebrew.  The B is to honor my maternal grandmother, Betty Swartz, who passed on only two short months ago.   She was 97 years old and had a tenacious personality all the years I was lucky to know her.  She lived long enough to meet her first two great-grandchildren, Mia and Lucy, so it feels fitting that we name our first child in Betty, or as we called her, Nana’s memory. 

Ezra:  When my great aunt Helen died, my cousin Benjy Weinberg Z”L, had a daughter and he named her Helen.  “I remember him saying when she was born, “It’s the new Helen Weinberg!”  Benjy had been one of my favorite cousin’s growing up.  Black sheep of the family to some, but one of the first people ever to treat me like my thoughts and opinions in the world mattered.  Cousin Benjy’s life was cut short ten years ago.  It was a family tragedy.  For me it was compounded by the fact that I never saw his daughter after his funeral.  For years I dreamed about meeting her again, to see if she had some of his spirit in her, but I could not find her.  And then, just about nine months ago Helen, now 18 years old, turned up. She showed up in Scranton to visit her father’s grave for the ten year anniversary of his passing.  Serendipitously, I happened to be in town that weekend and we somehow met up.  4 days later I found out that Olivia was pregnant.  Several month into the pregnancy, I visited Helen, with her mother Vita, in Orlando Florida to speak about her father’s name.  If it was a boy, could we name him Benjamin.  She agreed.  It give me incredible joy to finally announce the “new Benjy Weinberg.  

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We are excited to introduce Benjamin, “our first fruit,” to the community in the coming weeks.  Please stay tuned.

Hag Sameach everyone and have a great summer.

Reb Ezra