This Jewish Life was on my must-read list for several months but every time I settled down to read it circumstances prevented me from doing so.  Now that I’ve read the book, I resent those circumstances deeply.  This Jewish Life is one of the most joyous, honest and loving books I have had the pleasure of reading in a very long time. 

Ms. Darvick’s stories cover many aspects of Jewish life, some which have been written about extensively in the past, and others that have received short-shrift up to now.  While the religious aspect of Judaism is dealt with in some vignettes, most of the stories dig into the everyday life, realities and personal experiences of Jewish people and the way their heritage and culture influences their existence.   

A story that touched me on a personal level is the second one in the book entitled, “Oh, But She’s Perfect!”  It’s the story of a couple with three children born through natural means. Due to complications resulting from the three pregnancies, it was decided that adoption would be the best way to go.  But they did not adopt just any child. Oh no.  They adopted what are known as “special needs” children.  Their first adopted daughter was born with spina bifida, a terribly deforming and often crippling condition.  Yet when they saw her for the first time their immediate reaction was “Oh, she’s perfect.”  They did not look at the lesion on her back caused by the spinal deformity, nor her club feet.  What they saw were her big, soulful brown eyes and her angelic face; the bonding was instant. 

This experience was so satisfying that they went on to adopt two additional children, one of them also born with spina bifida.  Their love for their children was so strong and pure that there really was no difference between the three natural born siblings and the three adopted members of the family.  All they knew is that they were a family, and that is all that mattered. 

The reason this story has such a profound effect on me is that I too am an adopted child.  My parents never treated me differently than the parents of my friends who were born into their families.  My life was no different than theirs and my sense of safety, love and belonging was no less than anyone else in my peer group.  It takes very special people to willingly bring another person’s child into their home and bond with them in a way we attribute to that of birth parents and their offspring.  This family is heroic in the true sense of the word. Not just the parents, but their original three children are heroic as are the wonderful later additions.  All of them are heroes for the way they support, love and cherish each other. 

This is just one example of the marvelous stories within This Jewish Life.  Many other themes are covered such as war, work, divorce, education, travel, celebrations, tzoris, mitzvahs and other aspects of living we all face.  This Jewish Life shows us the power of our heritage, faith and values and how they influence the way we confront and deal with our daily lives. 

I urge everyone in my Megillah family to read This Jewish Life.  I promise you, it will bring a tear to your eye, a smile to your face, and a true feeling of warmth in your heart and soul.

You can visit Debra's informative Web site at: http://www.debradarvick.com