What a beautiful ceremony and rite of passage captured on video! You can feel the sense of community as baby Clara formally enters the covenant of the Jewish people. And what a moment when mom Jennifer lets go of her baby for the immersion. What could potentially be a hard thing for any parent is one wrapped in beauty and warmth — surrounded by family and the loving guidance of Rabbi Andy Vogel and Aliza Kline.

I hope that all families considering this rite of passage for their child will view the conversion and immersion of Clara. For me, the video de-mystifies the experience, explains one family’s reasons for conversion, and shows what an important and beautiful experience it can be. I also hope that all our children are blessed to have such loving parents and grandparents who embrace their Jewish choices. CJP is proud to support Mayyim Hayyim and thanks Aliza, Rabbi Vogel and the Grossmann family for sharing their experience with us.

Kimberlee Schumacher

CJP Director of Family, Interfaith & Community Programs