Shout out to Nancy...

When I was growing up we lived in an area not too different from Hunterdon county - somewhat rural, a hefty but possible commute to the city, not too many Jewish families, and houses that were spread apart with the occasional dirt road around. We were lucky in that we had the Rosens, who were the classic family next door with kids close enough in age to us to become life-long friends. Nancy was the mom. Our two families shared lots of good times, we would eat dinners together, celebrate birthdays together and we went to temple together.  Like for many of us here and now, our temple was about a 20 minute drive away from where we lived. I can so distinctly remember my mom and Nancy (it was always the moms) rallying us on a Friday evening to head to temple.

Nancy was the fun mom. She had a way of making the most mundane activities fun and interesting for two tween-aged girls. Need to pick up some groceries? Nancy had us dressed in high heels and make up. Just dropped the chocolate mousse she had spent 3 hours making all over herself and the floor? We were laughing so hard tears were pouring from our eyes. Temple was no exception. Going to a boring Friday night service? Nancy was whispering to us and had us giggling throughout. Nancy was the one who convinced my mom that it was OK for us to go to temple wearing our overall jeans, she even wore them herself to make the point. She was the one who knew when to tell us to excuse ourselves from the service and go out to the Oneg room to "help set up" which invariably meant sitting in a corner gossiping about who liked who at school. One of my fondest memories of Jewish life and temple is sitting a Friday night service next to Nancy and watching as she made the experience, the service and the moment warm, joyful and happy.

It is without any doubt in my mind that when I had my own children and thought about their Jewish life this is one the critical memories in my mind. When I watch my two boys (now tweens themselves) sit at a service at Or Chadash and see them dancing with an Israeli dancer or receiving a pencil for their birthday and experience their joy and think of how Nancy was a role model for the warmth and joy that should come with a Jewish experience. 

I imagine you each have your own Nancy, someone who made Jewish life warm and happy for you.  Nancy passed away several years ago, way too early at the age of 57. We miss her greatly, and I think of her often, especially when I am at Or Chadash. I think she would have like our temple, appreciated our spirit, and embraced our joy. Nancy's birthday was August 17. If you have a moment, sometime this month, give a thought to the "Nancy" in your life. Who brought to you the joy and happiness of Jewish life? If you have the chance, thank them for doing this for you. I never had the chance to have this conversation with Nancy, but I know I will be thinking of her this August. 

Kim Turner