5784 In Review

Written By Naima Hirsch

I had all sorts of plans for how I would frame this year’s blog post, but then a hurricane-induced power outage intervened. This year is perhaps the most eventful year of my life so far; I became a rabbi and mother exactly one month apart. One is more of an accomplishment than the other: I am well aware that motherhood is outside of our control as humans and I am so grateful for Shira’s presence in my life. Especially in a year filled with so much death and destruction in Gaza and Israel, I am hugging my daughter close and trying not to feel overwhelmed by grief and emotional whiplash.

That being said, here are some things that happened over this past year. In 5784, I …

  • Didn’t celebrate my birthday (because it’s on October 10th)

  • Applied to, got into, and started grad school

  • Studied for and passed my bechinot

  • Walked under “the banner” and became a rabbi

  • Wrote the longest article/essay I have in years only to have my pitches rejected or ignored

  • Had morning sickness for months

  • Learned how to swim

  • Had an emergency C-section my second wedding anniversary

  • Watched my husband grow into fatherhood

  • Named my daughter after my grandparents

  • Tried to listen to my ever-evolving body

  • Cried from anger and grief

  • Cried from gratitude and love

  • Cried from hormones

  • Had difficult conversations

  • Played with a prayer practice

  • Preemptively went to pelvic floor physical therapy

  • Kicked a nail biting habit I’ve had for about twenty years

  • Taught my first kallah students (recommend me to your friends!)

  • Said goodbye to my childhood home

  • Hugged my baby and made her smile

In 5785, I hope to:

  • Make my baby laugh

  • Hug my friends and their babies

  • Watch my friends and family hug my baby

  • Learn more Torah

  • Work on praying

  • Read more books

  • Keep up the swimming lessons

  • Finish my chaplaincy internship

  • Complete an interstate move with a baby and minimal breakdowns

  • Have more reasons to celebrate than mourn

  • Be in the moment

  • Repair my relationship with God

As always, I am wishing you all a boring year, even though I know it’s unlikely. I am wishing us all peace and answered prayers .

Naima Hirsch
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Joy Despite Suffering