We are very happy because God blessed us with a new child, a son. However, as the Talmud explains, we increase our joy by bringing our son to the covenant of our father Abraham. The Talmud tells us –in the Tractate of Menachot- that once King David was taking a bath and was upset because he could not study Torah or perform any Mitzvah there. However, when he remembered that he was circumcised he rejoiced, because this mitzvah is with him at all times (Menachot 43b). While entering our son into the covenant of Abraham, we are also entering him into God’s commandments. We are telling him: ‘In being Jewish, your mother, father and sister found "light and gladness and joy and honor". We hope you’ll find them too’.

Having a child is a religious experience, and not only because of the miracle of life itself. Of course, each creature coming to the world brings the renewal of God’s covenant with humanity and life on earth. However, we believe it became a religious experience also for our own family: For Silvia, Daniela and me. Silvia and I can share our fears during these past nine months. Fearing for Silvia’s health during pregnancy, fear for the delivery itself, praying silently -even without sharing our fear- for a healthy baby. Daniela was also wondering how things would change, having a new member in the family, sharing moms and dad’s time and dedication. And finally, all this joy together, knowing that Silvia was OK, and Dr Michael Meyer telling us that the baby was healthy, and Daniela learning how to hold the baby and change his diapers as a proud big sister. Tears of joy expressed then what words could hardly say: Our unspeakable gratitude to God for His gift. As we pray in one of the most powerful prayers each Shabbat morning: "Could song fill our mouth as water fills the sea. And could joy flood our tongue like countless waves, Could our lips utter praise as limitless as the sky. And could our eyes match the splendor of the sun, Could we soar with arms like eagle’s wings. And run with swiftest grace of gentle deer, Never could we fully state our gratitude for one ten-thousandth of the lasting love which is Your precious blessing, dearest God, granted to us."

Finally, what makes this experience a religious one, is that we don’t take all these blessings for granted: We appreciate each day God’s gifts to us, and we thank God for them.

At this moment we also want to thank you for sharing with us this important moment in our life. Usually this type of transcendent experience is shared with family and friends. As you know, most of our family –although close in spirit- is far in distance from us. However, you, as members of Beth Israel and the Jewish community, are taking their place. By that, we mean not only being physically here today with us, but specially by fulfilling all the duties extended families fulfill. That includes taking care of Daniela, visiting us, cooking for us to make things easier at home and preparing this wonderful reception. Also included are referring us to a Mohel, calling people in order to invite them to this Bris and covering for me at work. This includes the extremely generous gift of time and professional experience that Doctor Julien Meyer JR granted to us during the last nine months. We are also grateful for the financial help that Beth Israel Synagogue and the Beth Israel Sisterhood, as institutions, gave us as well as the support of many members of our community, in paying the large bills that accompany our large joy.

We appreciate very much that Silvia’s brother, Rabbi Gustavo Surazski, is with us representing our family in this Simchah, and we want to thank also Rabbi Rappaport for coming from Baltimore to perform the Bris.

Silvia and I are profoundly thankful to you for all this help. Again, we don’t take it for granted and we hope to be worth of so much generosity.

"The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor" (Esther 8:25) – so it may be for us.

May God bless all of you and your families with health, joy, sustenance and peace.