As I travel through my seventh decade of life, I find myself reflecting on my life experiences and values that make me the person I am today, the person I will be tomorrow, and the person who will be remembered.

My identity as a Jew, my understanding of the history of the Jewish people, and the teachings of Judaism began at a very early age. I read and re-read the Old Testament books for children, with their fascinating color plates and illustrations. Even though Passover would be months away, I would search my mother’s dining room buffet for the old hagaddahs and pore over the pictures and the verses. I grew up in a mostly Jewish neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia. I never experienced anti-Semitism, because it seemed as though everyone was Jewish. My world was Jewish. I attended the Workman’s Circle School for many years, so that I could learn the Yiddish language and the culture, through literature and music. I read the weekly Jewish Exponent to see who was having a Bar Mitzvah and later, to read the engagement and marriage announcements.

I drifted somewhat from my Judaic roots in my younger adult years, while at the same time trying to instill in my children the core values ~ how you treat others, education, and giving back to your community.

And now I am back ~ back to the exploration of Jewish culture, my religion, my heritage, my people. I am grateful for my spiritual reawakening. I am grateful to my Jewish community here in San Diego. And I am grateful that I have the means to give back and to help sustain and grow the future of Judaism in San Diego.