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Your mom and I and the entire family are so very proud of you. I, (we), all love you beyond the ability to adequately express in words. You have surpassed my wildest expectations of what I thought was possible nearly five years ago when we first joined this congregation. I remember working with you when you were struggling uphill at the task of learning Hebrew, since you were starting as a 4th grader while most others had been in religious school for at least one or more years. I think back to the time we spent with flash cards, both of us learning the aleph bet in cursive and block letters, to the first time (of many times) you and I lead Friday night services, when you told me at the end that you could not stop your knees from shaking, and in the same breath asked when we could do it again. As this day has approached I have found my mind drifting to thoughts all of your Great Grandparents, Grandma Martha, Grandpa Al, Grandma Marga and Grandpa Herman, and Grandma Vella. I know that you do not have many memories of some of them, as you were either not yet born, or very young when they passed away. Unfortunately they are not physically here with us this day, nor is your Nana, mom’s mom Rosalie. In a way though, all of these family members are here because as our tradition believes, they are with us in the hearts and thoughts and souls of their family, the people who’s life’s they touched and helped to shape. I see bits of all of them in you. I am drawn though to thoughts of my Grandma Marga, your namesake. Your Great Grandma Marga did the impossible. At a time when Jews in Germany and surrounding areas were being imprisoned in jails and camps back in 1938, at a time when your Great Grandpa Herman was in jail simply for being Jewish, your Great Grandmother somehow bribed the guards and got Grandpa Herman out of jail, then grabbed their two and a half year old son, son, your Grandpa Tom, and walked out of Germany across the border to Holland, leaving behind everything they had and knew, but getting something much more important; life, freedom and a future. About a year later they came to the United States through Ellis Island. (***Whenever I think about Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, I think back to how it must have been for them on that day, and how 50 years later when the Statue of Liberty was being renovated and restored, our entire family made a donation in Grandpa Herman’s honor to that project. If it had not been for this strong willed wonderful lady, your Great Grandma Marga, we, your Grandpa Tom, me, my brother, sister, niece, nephew, and you would not be here this day.***) Grandma Marga was a wonderful, strong, loving lady who I wish you had been able to get to know. I know that she would have loved you. The two of you would have gotten along famously as you share much more than a name. You have many of the same qualities that she had, the same intense eyes and determined attitude and a good sense of humor. I also found myself thinking about the day you were born, when I held you in my arms and said to you that you could start dating when you turned 30! Yes I know you have heard me say that one before. I knew then, and know now that this is just one of many arguments I will not win! On the day you were born, I remember watching Grandpa Herman hold you with tears in his eyes that really started to flow when your mom and I told him that we had named you Marga. He would be unbelievably proud and full of joy if he could have been here to see this day, your accomplishment, and how you have grown into a beautiful, wonderful, caring, and thoughtful young woman. All of your relatives living and not are here with us at this time and in awe of your accomplishment. I know that today does not mark the end for you, but rather it marks the day you set your feet on a path of discovery and growth. By your actions today, you have shown that nothing that you truly desire to accomplish is out of your reach. For you nothing you desire is impossible. With determination and love you can overcome any obstacle. Continue to make yourself and all of us proud of you. I treasure all of the time we spend together, each and every moment. We are so proud of you. Your mom and I love you so much and will always be here for you.
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