We celebrated our first grandson’s Brit Milah in the beginning of April this year. He is the first grandchild on both sides of our family so, needless to say, our cups were overflowing with joy. It was deeply moving as we witnessed our son, Noah, and our beloved daughter-in-law, Melody, begin their journey as Jewish parents. Watching them embrace the moment of their own son’s Brit Milah and share their son’s chosen name filled us with tremendous pride. Maman Guita and Grandma Becky lit the candles and embraced as their grandson was carried into the ceremony by our daughter (now aunt) Ellie, and (uncle) Mel’s brother Matt. The new aunt and uncle. As Baba Mehran held little Milo Asher upon the enormous white, ornately decorated throne (see picture) that is the customary Chair of Elijah used at Persian ceremonies, our hearts were bursting.
Stephen Wise Temple Rabbi Ron Stern (right) attends the baby naming for his grandson, Milo Asher. (Photo Courtesy of the Stern Family)
Thanks to the marriage of Mel and Noah, our blended Ashkenazi Persian family has found incredible richness in the sharing and commingling of our cultures. The Brit Milah was just one more example. Our common love of Jewish custom and a willingness to make room for each other’s familiar practices can be integrated in magical ways. As the rabbi in the family, I sent Mel and Noah a variety of resources that they could gather to create a ceremony that reflected them. All four grandparents recognize that our most important role now is to step back and watch as our kids take the lead in raising their children. Noah and Mel created a beautiful ceremony, and we were all-too-happy to follow their wishes and fulfill our roles! The Brit became just one more uplifting example of our cultural blending as Noah invoked the names of members of our family and Mel’s to explain how they chose Milo’s name. There were kels of delight when the ceremony ended. Needless to say, the tables were piled high with Persian sweets and lox and bagels!
As we all gathered around Milo at the ceremony’s end, arms over each other’s shoulders, we recited the Birkat Kohanim (May God bless you and keep you) as happy tears filled our eyes in celebration of our growing family. This beautiful blending of ancient customs, modern innovations, Persian practices, and Americanized Ashkenazi Judaism filled our hearts with love and nurtured our souls with meaning.
—Rabbi Ron Stern