This Sunday is Father’s Day, time set aside to celebrate the patriarchs who support our families and our community in so many generous ways. And yet, we know that our fathers are human and they are complicated—perhaps they don’t always show up in the ways we would like; perhaps they don’t always express themselves in the ways that we need; perhaps we simply didn’t have enough time with them, or we weren’t able to get to know them as wholly as we would have liked. We think of them on Father’s Day with all their imperfections and also their wholehearted attempts at sharing their genuine love with us.
This week, I’m thinking of my grandfathers, Stan (pictured above holding Cantor Emma) and Ben, both United States veterans who raised three or four children and were the most tender, loving, and hilarious grandpas. My heart aches that they will never know my children, that there were not enough days to celebrate our connection, that there were so many stories left untold, but I hold their memories close in my heart and smile at the happy times we did have together. And today, one of my greatest joys in life is seeing my dear husband, Adam, and my dad, Jared (pictured above holding Cantor Emma’s brother Lee), take care of and experience joy with little Ruby. Even amidst the mixed feelings Father’s Day might bring for many of us, I pray that there is a happy moment you will remember or a new memory that you will be able to create this coming weekend.
To every dad who led a Seder, who dropped off and picked up children at school, who made lunches, who changed diapers, who brought their children to Shabbat services, who talked to their kids with focus and intention, who devotedly offered their partners and parents and kids needed support, who sang Sh’ma at bedtime, who made silly jokes—we thank you. A blessing upon all of our fathers, strong and imperfect and loving and human—may they live up to our expectations and serve as the best examples for our children of how to be their best selves.
—Cantor Emma Lutz