Sunday, August 03, 2008

Ethan Asher - Welcome to the Tribe!

Today, our son Ethan Frederick Zhiqing became Ethan Asher in the eyes of the Jewish Community. He was converted and named. This was done by mikveh (immersion in the Ocean in his case) and then a service at the Temple with the Rabbi and a tribunal presiding.

When you name in the Jewish faith you correspond your Hebrew name to your given name. Ethan is a Hebrew name and the rabbi corresponded the Hebrew name of Asher for Ethan's Chinese name of Qing as Qing was given to Ethan after he survived his surgery. It means happiness and to celebrate and Asher means the same in Hebrew and is the name of one of the twelve Jewish Tribes from Israel. I love the process of choosing the name and how meaningful it is.

Shannon and Alan and family, who are Ethan's godparents along with us and Ethan's grandparents and one cousin all met the Rabbi at the beach at 7:30 am. Under rainy skies the immersion was performed. It was very rough out there and thankfully Marc took Ethan in as I think I would have had a tough time standing up to the waves. A couple of hours later we met at the temple with the rest of invited family and friends to witness the tribunal and then home to celebrate and eat as all good Jews do very well ;-) The sky cleared up and all of the children and a few of us adults ended up in the pool.

There were a few that were not able to be with us due to illness, distance and in one case a death in the family and we missed you all who were not able to be with us.

It was a beautiful and memorable day, just as Katie Starr's was. Another treasured memory.

Here are a few pics and I hope to post a lot more tomorrow when I receive a them.

Marc and Ethan being helped out of the water by the Rabbi

I love this shot (au natural)

BFF's Mia and Katie Starr


Mommy and The Dynamic Duo just before the service

Family shot

11 comments:

Heather said...

Congratulations to all of you and especially to Ethan! The family picture is fabulous! You all look so happy and healthy.

We5Chois said...

Mazel Tov!

What a wonderful day and page in your lives as a family. I wish we could have been there, but you know I don't do well with mornings, let alone the long commute.
Love ya and miss you,
Kim

Candy said...

Congratulations! Sorry we couldn't be there. What a wonderful celebration. I love the pictures. See you soon. Love to All! Mazel Tov!!!

Vivian M said...

Mazel Tov!!! What beautiful pictures. I agree with Kim, the commute is looooong!!
Congratulations Ethan on your conversion and naming. Huge hugs!

Julie said...

What a wonderful day it was! Ethan's girlfriends will love these pictures some day.
Congratulations!

Brownie Troop 157 said...

A beautiful name, a beautiful ceremony, and a beautiful family. We're so happy for you all.

Congratulations!

Tammie said...

Mazal tov on such a joyous occasion! It was an honor to be there & witness Ethan becoming a "member of the tribe." May your family know untold joy now & forever more.

Minouche said...

Congratulations, Ethan & family! :o)) The family picture is beautiful! :o)) What a happy family! ;o)

Carrie said...

What a gorgeous family photo! I've followed your family's journey for awhile and it is time I delurked. Congrats on this very special and memorable day for Ethan.

tumbleintodreams said...

Great photos! Love the family shot. It's priceless. I also love Ethan's vest and shirt. He is stylin! Glad the ceremony and celebration went well. Hope you are feeling better.

Unknown said...

Mazel Tov, Ethan! What a beautiful ceremony and a beautiful name. The pictures you captured are priceless!