It is an honor and a blessing for both of us to have the opportunity to continue our people’s tradition of giving. It is humbling to be a small link in the chain of Jews working for Tikkun Olam, from generation to generation.

We are so very fortunate. We have been given so very much.

We have been given so much by the San Diego Jewish community, gifts like caring, learning and belonging. And we have been given so much by parents who showed us how to be Jews. Parents who led lives of giving, lives of standing for our people. We fervently hope we can give this precious gift to our beloved son, Lewis, who gives us so much love and joy every day.

We have been given so much by our beloved homeland, Eretz Israel, and we have been given so much by our great United States of America.

We are proud to be Jews, proud to be members of our San Diego Jewish community, proud to be members of Clal Israel. Part of that pride is from knowing that we have strengthened our community, that we have given back to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

We had the privilege to hear Rabbi Yitz Greenberg speak about living Jewishly meaning that we must “choose life” in how we choose to live. We see signing the Book of Life of our San Diego Jewish community as choosing life in death.

We feel honored to do so.