It’s hard to think of a much more exciting or heartwarming
event in life than the arrival of a new baby. Everyone is moved by the miracle
of a new life, by the unlimited potential of the new baby, and by the joy of
the parents and the whole family. So, this Israel-based blog takes a turn to
the North, as we are in Buffalo to celebrate the arrival of the newest Mazer,
Ezra Moshe, born last Wednesday May 25th, 2016 to Daniella and Monty
and to big sister Tali.
We (Bruce, Barbara and Grandma) left Montreal for Buffalo on
Tuesday, in order to celebrate the baby’s Brit Mila, or ritual circumcision, on
Wednesday morning. If you think about it, this creates another link in an
unbroken chain that connects Ezra to the Jewish people starting from Abraham through
the millennia to today. The custom is that a baby boy is circumcised and receives
his name on the 8th day of life if he is in good health. Thank G-d
that all was aligned and Monty and Daniella and Daniella’s parents Rochel and
Chuck Wagner, planned out a lovely celebration with the help of the local
caterer Bob Alt. We chipped in with some Montreal delicacies from Kosher Quality,
including cheese bagels, mini-danish and pretty cookies. The cheese bagels will
get some repeat business for Mr. Klein, that is almost guaranteed! The service
was performed by Rabbi Koropkin of Toronto, the Rabbi of the Wagner’s Synagogue. We were joined by a large number of the Young
Israel of Buffalo Community, as well as family and friends who came from near
and far to join; Daniella’s siblings Yonati, David and his wife Sharona, and
Adin; Elan and Shoshana came from Toronto, Chuck’s sisters Jeannie and Evy,
Andy and our nephew Jonah, as well as friends from T.O., the Greens (x2), the Shields,
the Piwkos, the Hermanns, and Zev Kessler from Cleveland. To top it off, we had
a surprise special appearance from Nina and Rabbi Mordechai Glick from Teaneck
NJ! All went well with the baby, the breakfast was terrific and a great time
was had by all. 
After the Brit, we spent time at our hotel (conveniently
located across the street from the synagogue and only a few minutes walk from
Daniella and Monty’s house. We spent the afternoon chatting with Zev and Andy,
and playing with Tali, hanging around the pool, playing soccer (Sabi has to
learn how to play goalie; the ball kept going through his legs!!) and starting
the numerous art projects that Savti is THE expert at. As long as it has purple,
we are cool, right Tali?
Like any new baby, sleep time for the parents is precious,
and Daniella’s mom and dad have been super helpful. We have chipped in with
errands and some of the cooking as we head toward Shabbat. Yonati is coming
back for Shabbat and we will soon pick up Tali from school. I think we can all
agree that there is nothing like family being together and we treasure these
special moments.
To end, I think it is appropriate to include a thought from the
D’var Torah Monty delivered at the Brit. The weekly Torah portion is called B’chukotai,
meaning “with my laws”; it begins “If you observe my laws and follow them” and
proceeds to describe the blessings of following the laws and subsequently the curses
of not following G-d’s ways. The concept is really that of a covenant, or “Brit”
in Hebrew. In the next week we will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, which is the
holiday commemorating when the Ten Commandments and the Torah were given, the
most concrete sign of the covenant between G-d and the Jewish People. We
welcome Ezra with the Brit Mila to be a full member of a people who have had
many ups and many downs, just like the blessings and the curses that are
described in the Torah Portion. We pray that our new arrival, Ezra Moshe, will
have nothing but blessings and many many years as a healthy productive member
of our people and society!
We wish you all an amazing Shabbat!
Happy Yom Yerushalayim!
Happy Birthday to Grandma!
Happy Birthday to our niece Aviva!
Happy Anniversary to Nomi and Elan!
Happy Anniversary to Daniella and Monty!
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