A Little Off The Top

Yesterday was Jonah's bris; we had some trouble getting him to sleep as the mohel told us not to let him sleep in the car seat and he doesn't really like his cradle but we eventually found a position that worked for him (read: nestled on my lap in the rocking chair against the boppy pillow). Carrie and I traded off on rocking chair duty but most of it fell to her. I'm not really sure why he doesn't like the cradle in our bedroom as he likes the cradle in the dining room just fine. Perhaps we'll be swapping those tonight because another night in the rocking chair will probably finish us both off.


Below is the speech I attempted to give before emotions overwhelmed me and I had to pass it off to Carrie to finish.

What's in a name? Parents often consider many factors when choosing names. They may want a name that sounds bold or unique; some choose a family name that has been passed down for generations; others choose names that aren't easily turned into taunts at the school yard. Carrie and I chose our son's name to help inspire him towards a great future but at the same time help him remember where he is from by honoring the past.

For our son we have chosen the name Jonah Wolf or in the Hebrew Yonah Zev.

His first name, Jonah, was chosen to honor Carrie's Great-Uncle John. Uncle John was one of the toughest men I've ever met. As a young man he was a tank commander fighting in World War II under General Patton. He returned from the war to a life as a dairy farmer in rural Georgia. I'm not sure which job is harder, but both require the stamina and fortitude we hope Jonah will inherit.

My favorite story about Uncle John is the time when a bull decided to charge at him and try to run him down. Your average person would run but not Uncle John. he stood his ground and punched that bull square in the nose.

He worked as hard as he could every day of his life, but always with a smile. We hope that from his namesake, Jonah will inherit the confidence to be comfortable with himself and a surety of action in everything he does.

Our son's middle name, Wolf was chosen to honor my cousin Wolf. After his parents' attempt to save their only child was foiled by treachery and duplicity, Wolf, a young boy, perished at the hands of the Nazis.

I knew Wolf's parents, my Great-Aunt Etta and Great-Uncle Israel. Sadly, they were unable to have another child after they were liberated from the concentration camps. My Aunt and Uncle were loving and kind people; Wolf would have been as wonderful as they were. We hope that our son's life will be full of the happiness and joy that was senselessly denied his namesake.

Uncle John and Wolf are connected by circumstances. As a tank commander in World War II, Uncle John discovered a concentration camp and became a witness to the horrors which befell millions of Jews; he recounted his experiences throughout his life. Our son's name, Jonah Wolf, honors those innocents who perished in the Holocaust, those fortunate enough to survive and those who so bravely served.

In the Book of Jonah we hear the story of G-d's willingness to forgive those who seek it. We hope that Jonah will have temperance of mind and compassionate judgment to help him through his life.

It is said that a man has three names: the name he inherits, the name his parents give him and the name he makes for himself. Well, Jonah Wolf, we've given you the best name that we can: the rest is up to you.