Aliza and Sima

One of the many rituals in the Jewish tradition is the conferring of a Hebrew name for use in religious ceremonies. These names are in addition to commonly-used secular names and are sometimes chosen to honor a recently deceased relative. Rabbi Bloom performed our naming ceremony last Friday, giving me the name Aliza and Polly the name Sima. Aliza means "joyful" in Hebrew and Sima means "treasure". The derivation of Aliza from Eliza is not only an obvious choice but captures my general good nature and joyfulness. Sima, on the other hand, was specially chosen to honor my Omma who passed away October 24, 2008 and whose 62nd birthday would have been today. She was one of our family's treasures and the S from Sima was taken from her first name: Sandra.Here is what Pop read to us at the ceremony:

Polly Stevens Van de Water . . .

. . . as you receive your Hebrew name today, I am honored to tell you about the woman linked with that name. She is your paternal grandmother, Sandra Close Mansfield Van de Water. I will try to convey the values she dearly wanted to impart to you.

Your Omma – my wife Sandy – was a beautiful person in mind, body, and spirit. She was strong and independent yet so caring and nurturing. She was always “there” for your father and his sister, your Aunt Julie, as she was for me and many others; and as she had hoped to be for you.

One of her last wishes was to meet you and hold you and welcome you to the world. It was not to be. If she had had the opportunity she would have taught you about the importance of family, love, caring, honesty, tolerance, and openness. She would have encouraged you to use your mind fully, to help others, to set your sights high, and to be a positive force in the world.

You are fortunate that your Omma’s values are shared by your remaining grandparents and reflected so well in your parents. May you come to know your Omma through them.

With love and every good wish for a wonderful life,
Pop