Page 18 - Microsoft Word - Flip Pages Book of Life Aug 30 2016 final v1.docx

Caryn & Marc Tomljanovich Family
Growing up in a Conservative Jewish family in central New Jersey, synagogue was central to both my educational and social life. My parents were active members and sat on the board and my siblings and I were active in youth group, Jewish education and other social activities.
Being Jewish was so much a part of my identity that I couldn't imagine anything else for my future children. My mom's father, Zayde was an orthodox Jew and one of my earliest memories is snuggling next to him during Rosh Hashanah services, playing with his tallis. Zayde was kind, low key and had a great sense of humor. He believed deeply in his religion, but was also open to our celebrations and synagogue. He was the first person to show me that Judaism can indeed have many faces. My dad's mom, Grandma Esther, was one of my early cultural Jewish touchstones. My memories of her are full of the smells of her Brooklyn apartment, homemade potato knishes and chopped liver.
Marc and I met in college and he self identified himself as someone who opened presents on Christmas and ate ham on Easter. As we grew closer, our talks about religion and family grew more involved. By that time, Marc had attended most Jewish holidays with my family. The High Holy Days, Hanukkah and a few somewhat rowdy seders. We agreed that any future children we had should be raised Jewish. We both embraced the ideas of Tikkun Olam as well as a strong tradition of community and family. Over our many moves before we settled in New Jersey, we sampled several synagogues. At Or Chadash we both felt comfortable and welcomed. The emphasis on community and Tikkun Olam resonated with us and we knew it was our Jewish home.
Both Lyra and Evan have gotten involved with Or Chadash. The friends they have made there and what they have learned in religious school have both strengthened their Jewish identity and given them a sense of a Jewish community. We were thrilled to celebrate Lyra becoming a Bat Mitzvah in 2012 and are greatly looking forward to Evan's in 2016. We are excited that they are both planning on becoming confirmands at Or Chadash. Our support of the Legacy program helps ensure that Or Chadash remains a vibrant, growing community for years to come.
PIC