Nitzavim: how do you really tell if someone is Jewish?

GIL 20.9.25

Sasha – this morning was an historical occasion in the life of your family. For the first time in four generations, a child is coming to the Torah and emerging as an adult. And, as you said in your speech, you are able to do it proudly and openly, and do not need to hide the fact that you are Jewish or that you are practising Judaism.

My first encounter with your family was through your grandmother, Isabelle, in January last year, very soon after I moved to Geneva and started working in this synagogue. She wanted to become a member of the community and I needed to check that she was eligible, that is to say, that she was Jewish. Well – how to check such a thing, how to judge – it’s always a question. Perhaps the names gave a clue – Nayman…Goldenberg… perhaps the life story helped a little bit, the looks corresponded too. I wasn’t in much doubt but of course the clincher came when she told me that I would never get her husband, Boris, to set foot in the synagogue, let alone to join the community. I understood that being Jewish, proudly Jewish, despite all the troubles and all the history, being Jewish was present – is present – in every bone of your grandmother’s body. And it’s not necessarily a question of being secular or anti-religious, or having “zhid” or “yivraiski” on a passport. It's the nurturing of a Jewish flame that burns strongly in the heart and survives to be transmitted to the next generation, despite everything the world can throw at us.

This Shabbat you have been passed a torch. It’s on you now to keep it burning and carry it to future generations. Here in Switzerland it’s not Ukraine in the Shoah or under Communism. It’s not even the battle of new immigrants to integrate in the United States. You grow up with all the advantages of a multi-lingual intelligent and talented girl, following in the footsteps of your mother and grandmother, but you do so in a settled and stable environment. Naturally we hope that these are ideal conditions for a torch to burn bright. And that you - and your sister - can hold this torch proudly, and continue the Jewish humour and intellect, the music, the food and the rich culture of your ancestors. This is no small task that lies ahead of you, but we see you make your first steps as an adult Jew today, and we are reassured.

As you told us, Sasha, your parasha Nitzavim is about standing up and being counted. It’s a reminder that our lives have cosmic significance, that we can make this world better if we choose to, and between blessing and curse, life and death – we should choose life. The idea that we were all there, that we were all present at Sinai, present and future generations, and even those who were not there were somehow there too, this idea is a powerful one. It helps us see that our lives are one link in a chain of tradition, and our acts have ramifications for generations to come. For the most devoutly atheist Jew to hear their granddaughter talk in the synagogue about God and repentance, Teshuva, well – for me this is proof that there is God up there laughing at us! - and this is a reminder that for all our own individual beliefs and theologies or lack thereof, that we are all only small parts in the chain of something bigger than ourselves. And while belief can be helpful, it is through acts that the chain continues. Acts of love, acts of loving kindness, being a mensch, looking after those around you, and never ever forgetting who you are.

We make you learn a lot of things as a bat mitzvah, Sasha, we make you learn Hebrew, we make you stand up there and sing, chant the Torah, read the prayers, we make you think and write and give a speech. Some of these things are intellectual, others are technical, but ultimately what counts is your presence – like in Nitzavim – and taking your place as a member of the community. Clearly you are here thanks to both your mum and your dad – and it’s great to meet all your grandparents this morning, - and even your aunt Jess – and their support, the support of all your family is so essential. But seeing you lead your family to the synagogue, getting even Boris to enter the building not just for the chess club but to sit in the synagogue – I hope you understand just how meaningful this is as an act of return, an act of teshuva, that brings full circle a chapter of your family.

I didn’t tell them – but your bat mitzvah in a way was a triple bat mitzvah – your mum and grandmother were called to the Torah too, and even your grandfather too could be said to have celebrated his bar mitzvah this morning. You’ve done the hard work for them today – reading the parasha – you may feel that - but ultimately it’s their perseverance and spirit over many years, their bravery in overcoming hardships and difficulties, their hard work in being Jewish too, that we celebrate with you and with Nitzavim this shabbat.

After all, how do you really tell if someone is Jewish? It’s not if they have a Jewish grandparent, but rather, if they have Jewish grandchildren.

Mazal tov to you Sasha, mazal tov to all your family, and shabbat shalom.