Zoey Eliana Fifer - Naming Ceremonies
May 18, 2024
Adas Israel Congregation
Washington, DC
Printed Program (PDF)
Remarks by Yael (Morning and Afternoon Ceremonies)
Zoey, your first name in Hebrew honors your great-grandfather, Chaim. “Zoey” and “Chaim” both mean “life.” Saba Chaim was a proud Zionist who came from Estonia as a young man. He was part of the movement that worked to secure a permanent homeland for the Jewish people.
Saba Chaim also had a career as a construction worker in Israel. He helped build the state of Israel – literally and figuratively.
Today, the Israel Saba Chaim helped build is more than 75 years old, and is home to dozens of your aunts, uncles, and cousins. We can’t wait to bring you there to meet them. This is a very difficult time for everyone in the region, and we pray that the birth of every new child will be a beacon of hope for a more peaceful future.
We have named you Zoey in both English and Hebrew so that whether you are down the street or on the other side of the world, you will always have a name and a home.
I never met Saba Chaim; he died shortly before I was born. But I know he was a strong and courageous man. I hope that his strength and courage will help you navigate whatever path you choose to take.
Your middle name is Eliana, which is Hebrew for “my G-d has answered me”. Like so many couples, your dad and I struggled to create our family. But, thankfully, we did not give up. And on March 26, the day you were born, the world became kinder, brighter, and more hopeful.
Zoey, you are the answer to our prayers. We will never take you for granted. We will spend every day of the rest of our lives working to create the most loving, nurturing, and hopeful environment we possibly can, just as our parents did for us and their parents did for them.
All the words and kisses in the world can’t express just how much we love you. Night after night while I was pregnant with you, we played a song up close so you could hear it:
“At long last love has arrived, and I thank G-d I’m alive. You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you. I love you, baby!”
Even as I hold you, it’s hard to believe that you’re real. I love you so much, Zoey!
Remarks by Craig (Morning Ceremony)
My Darling Zoey:
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. Today, the village has shown up for you. We are so grateful to have the love and support of so many family members, friends, and members of Adas Israel gathered here today.
We are especially grateful to Rabbi Krinsky for blessing you today, and for her support and moral leadership over the past few years. As your Ema and I struggled to have you, Rabbi Krinsky and Rabbi Novick chose to publicly share their own difficult fertility journey. It was such a comfort to know that we were not alone, and we are fortunate to be part of a congregation where hard conversations are safe to have. We promise to give you open arms whenever you need a hug and open ears whenever you need to talk. We hope you will always be comfortable talking to us about anything.
Zoey, your first name in ancient Greek means “life.” You mean life. You are our lives. Your Ema and I have spent our lives dreaming of you and praying for you.
You are named in English in honor of my mother’s mother, your great-grandmother Bernice, of blessed memory. Grandma Bernice was full of life. She loved music, art, dance, and food. She was active in her community theater group. She played basketball in our driveway in high heels. She had a wry sense of humor and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Her cards and notes came with bright red lipstick kisses. She grew up in New York City, later moved to Las Vegas, and eventually retired to southern Florida as is the custom of our people.
One of Grandma Bernice’s favorite songs was an old Broadway tune: “Grab your coat, and get your hat / Leave your worry on the doorstep… / Life can be so sweet / On the sunny side of the street.” I often find myself thinking of Grandma as I cross the street to the sunny side. I bless you with a life of sunshine and song.
You arrived a month before your due date, and not a single moment too soon. When we brought you home from the hospital, we put down the car seat, sat next to you on the living room floor, and cried. Our tears carried the words “Eli Ana,” “my G-d has answered me.” Your middle name is Eliana in both English and Hebrew because your Ema and I each thank G-d for answering our prayers for you.
May you be a blessing to the Jewish people and to the world, as you have already been to us. I bless you with a life of kindness, laughter, health, happiness, and cakepops. I promise to be there for you in whatever ways you need, for as long as I can.
I bless you to follow in the path of the great women who have crossed this bimah, this stage, before you. Perhaps you’ll be an entrepreneur and business leader like your own Ema. Perhaps you’ll make beautiful music like Cantor Brown or the many college a cappella groups that have performed here. Perhaps you’ll work for fairness and equality like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg or Judy Heumann, both of blessed memory. Perhaps you’ll lead an organization like Rabbi Holtzblatt and Rabbi Krinsky, or even lead an entire nation like Golda Meir. Or perhaps your bimah, your stage, will be much less public. We can’t wait to see what path you choose, and help you get there. Your Ema and I are already so proud of you for waking up each day (or many times per day) and working hard to learn and grow. We will always be proud of you, and we will always love you.
Oseh shalom bimromav – may the One who makes peace in the highest of heavens bless you with a life of peace.
Here’s to you, Zoey, and to life.
L’Zoey! L’Chaim!
I love you.
Shabbat shalom.
Remarks by Yael (Morning and Afternoon Ceremonies)
Zoey, your first name in Hebrew honors your great-grandfather, Chaim. “Zoey” and “Chaim” both mean “life.” Saba Chaim was a proud Zionist who came from Estonia as a young man. He was part of the movement that worked to secure a permanent homeland for the Jewish people.
Saba Chaim also had a career as a construction worker in Israel. He helped build the state of Israel – literally and figuratively.
Today, the Israel Saba Chaim helped build is more than 75 years old, and is home to dozens of your aunts, uncles, and cousins. We can’t wait to bring you there to meet them. This is a very difficult time for everyone in the region, and we pray that the birth of every new child will be a beacon of hope for a more peaceful future.
We have named you Zoey in both English and Hebrew so that whether you are down the street or on the other side of the world, you will always have a name and a home.
I never met Saba Chaim; he died shortly before I was born. But I know he was a strong and courageous man. I hope that his strength and courage will help you navigate whatever path you choose to take.
Your middle name is Eliana, which is Hebrew for “my G-d has answered me”. Like so many couples, your dad and I struggled to create our family. But, thankfully, we did not give up. And on March 26, the day you were born, the world became kinder, brighter, and more hopeful.
Zoey, you are the answer to our prayers. We will never take you for granted. We will spend every day of the rest of our lives working to create the most loving, nurturing, and hopeful environment we possibly can, just as our parents did for us and their parents did for them.
All the words and kisses in the world can’t express just how much we love you. Night after night while I was pregnant with you, we played a song up close so you could hear it:
“At long last love has arrived, and I thank G-d I’m alive. You’re just too good to be true, can’t take my eyes off of you. I love you, baby!”
Even as I hold you, it’s hard to believe that you’re real. I love you so much, Zoey!
Remarks by Craig (Afternoon Ceremony)
My Darling Zoey:
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. Today, the village has shown up for you. We are so grateful to have the love and support of so many fans of yours gathered here.
We thank Rabbi Moline for blessing you today, and for his friendship and advice for more than 20 years. Rabbi Moline has been an outspoken advocate for children in our community and beyond. He was also one of the first rabbis in the U.S. to write and conduct a naming ceremony for baby girls, and the most recent naming ceremony he led before today was for his own granddaughter. In a demonstration of beshert, or a divine connection, her name also happens to be Zoe Eliana.
Zoey, your first name in ancient Greek means “life.” You mean life. You are our lives. Your Ema and I have spent our lives dreaming of you and praying for you.
You are named in English in honor of my mother’s mother, your great-grandmother Bernice, of blessed memory. Grandma was full of life. She loved music, art, dance, and food. She was active in her community theater group. She played basketball in our driveway in high heels. She had a wry sense of humor and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Her cards and notes came with bright red lipstick kisses. She grew up in New York City, later moved to Las Vegas, and eventually retired to southern Florida as is the custom of our people.
Grandma never missed an opportunity to stock up on essentials. When we went out to eat, her purse became a doggie bag for the extra dinner rolls on the table, or the silverware, or the coffee cups. The last time we ate out together, I joked that she wasn’t taking anything from the table. She said, “Why would I do that? I already have the whole set.”
Despite these proclivities, Grandma became a favorite customer of many of the restaurants where she was a regular. After her memorial service in Florida – which, in keeping with her wishes, took the form of a talent show and party – our family went to eat at her favorite Greek restaurant. When we explained to the manager who we were and why we were there, he honored Grandma in the Greek tradition of celebrating by smashing a plate on the floor. For the last 15 years, a piece of that plate has been on the bookcase in my living room. Last night, our family went out to a restaurant around here. While we were reminiscing about Grandma, the manager was clearing our table and accidentally dropped a glass on the floor. I have no doubt that Grandma was letting us know that she’s here celebrating you with us. And now a piece of that glass sits on my bookcase as well. I bless you with a life of celebration and sentiment.
One of Grandma Bernice’s favorite songs was an old Broadway tune: “Grab your coat, and get your hat / Leave your worry on the doorstep… / Life can be so sweet / On the sunny side of the street.” I often find myself thinking of Grandma as I cross the street to the sunny side.
(Another of her favorite songs was a Yiddish zinger that’s probably not appropriate to recite in a house of worship, but perhaps I’ll share it with you when you’re older.) I bless you with a life of sunshine and song.
When I was a teenager and Grandma Bernice would call to say hi, she would often ask me, “Have you met a special girl yet? Or a boy, because I love you no matter what.” That was a pretty progressive thing for a grandma to say 30 years ago, or even in many cases today. I hope you will always be proud of who you are, and supportive of who others are. I hope you will love yourself no matter what, because your Ema and I will always love you no matter what.
You arrived a month before your due date, and not a single moment too soon. When we brought you home from the hospital, we put down the car seat, sat next to you on the living room floor, and cried. In our tears were the words “Eli Ana,” “my G-d has answered me.” Your middle name is Eliana in both English and Hebrew because your Ema and I each thank G-d for answering our prayers for you.
Your Ema and I will strive to give you the same warm and loving home our parents gave us. It is truly a blessing that Grandma Hopie, Grandpa Gary, Nana Roxanne, and Baba Rafi are not only here today, but were with you on the day you were born and are already active participants in your life. Your Great Aunt Jamie has always been there for your aunt and uncles and me, and now she is here to love you.
Your Uncle David, Aunt Rebecca, and Uncle Jordan give you strong models of compassion and public service. Learn from their work to protect people and places how you can help others, too.
We have been so impressed by the nurturing and intentional parenting modeled by your Aunt Abby and Uncle Avram in Los Angeles, your Aunt Maya and Uncle Mark in New York City, and your Cousins Sheryl and Jonathan in Maryland. Because they have worked so hard to raise kind, curious, independent, and resilient children, you have the most incredible cousins. Shai, Bo, Asher, Lillian, Ethan, Aaron, and Nathaniel are some of your biggest fans, and it has been a delight to watch you get to know each other so far.
We are fortunate to have three generations of cousins here today to cheer you on, including Gil, Susan, Ron, Beth, and Melissa. Along with even more aunts, uncles, and cousins who couldn’t be here today, you are blessed to have a wonderful extended family around the world, and they already love you.
We also thank all the amazing friends who have given us mazel tovs, advice, product recommendations, pro tips, and gifts, many of whom are also here today to celebrate you. Your Ema and I got to parenthood a little later than most, and that means we know a lot of great parents who have figured things out already and can help us be better parents for you.
In a few moments, your grandparents will bless you with the special benediction that has been recited for thousands of years: by Aaron and the ancient priests to bless the people, by clergy around the world to bless their congregations, and by families to bless their children.
May G-d bless you and keep you. May you have everything you need, and almost everything you want. May whatever you lack remind you of all you have, and may it help keep you humble and motivated Wherever your travels take you, may you stay healthy and safe.
May G-d’s make G-d’s face shine on you and be gracious to you. May G-d illuminate your life, revealing your greatest potential. May this light allow you to always see the best in yourself and others. As you receive grace -- kindness when you don’t always deserve it -- may you be kind to others.
May G-d lift up G-d’s face to you and grant you peace. May you have peace in your heart and in your home, and may you work to make peace in your community and throughout the world. The obligation to complete the work of Creation does not rest on your tiny little shoulders alone, but, as the Talmud teaches, neither will you be free to abandon the task.
May you be a blessing to the Jewish people and to the world, as you have already been to us. I bless you with a life of kindness, laughter, health, happiness, and cakepops. I promise to be there for you in whatever ways you need, for as long as I can.
Your aunt and uncles and I grew up listening to Debbie Friedman cassette tapes on repeat. One day when you’re older, I’ll take you to see a cassette tape at the Smithsonian. One of my favorite Debbie Friedman songs is based on the Talmud, and it is a blessing for you today:
May you be blessed with understanding,
With wisdom and compassion in your heart.
May your tongue be filled with song,
And your lips sing out for justice.
These are the prayers we have for you.
May your eyes shine with the light of Torah,
And your face be radiant as the brightness of the sky.
May your lips speak words of wisdom,
And may the world you live in be the world of your dreams.
We’re living in your world now, Zoey. Here’s to you, and to life.
L’Zoey! L’Chaim!
I love you.
Shabbat shalom.
Rev. 5/19/24