Free Verse

To the people that have been in my life since I was born.

To the people that have supported me, trusted me, loved me.

To the people that have made a difference without realizing or intending to.

This is for you, all my thank yous and love. I hope that you read this and realize the immense impact you have had in my life.

            My parents first opened our home to college students when I was two years old. Since then we have welcomed thousands of people from all over the world. My father, an orthodox Rabbi, founded the San Diego Jewish Experience at the University of California San Diego. It is an organization that connects Jewish college students to their religion, culture, and other Jewish students. Every week, throughout my life we have had between fifty and 150 people come to our home to learn and experience the beauty of Judaism. Growing up, I had to make the choice to take all the people coming into our home with a smile, or to lock myself in my room and wait for them to leave. I decided to be at the center of the party - always having a good time. This was easy because I did not see these people as intruders, but as family. From the age of two, I have been hanging out with the “big kids”, and whether it was Alex singing nursery rhymes to me or Erik giving me rides on his shoulders, I have always felt cherished.

            As I grew older and the age gap between college students and me narrowed, I had the opportunity to have a second family and a larger social circle. Attending high school in a class of four is trying. When other friends ask how I got through it, my answer is always the same: “The college students.” I love my friends I will graduate with, but going through the most difficult teenage years with three girls can be suffocating. Now that I am older, the college students seem more like friends when they come to our home on Wednesday for a Challah bake or on Friday and Saturday for Shabbos meals. I can talk to them about anything - school, movies, life, and music. If there’s anything bothering me, I can get a lot of different opinions and advice from the college students.

      Throughout my childhood, I watched my parents welcome students and their parents regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Seeing this acceptance, I learned to care about people for their inner potential. This openness did not always come easily- I remember watching a frat boy walk into our home and thinking that this guy, who seemed only to care about popularity, would never understand the spiritual depth of Judaism. But he proved me wrong upon his return from a trip to Israel with my father. He was totally in tune with himself and with those around him. He taught me not to judge anyone by outward personality, but by real potential.

        When students graduate, it is always bittersweet. Logically, I know they are moving on to bigger and better things, but in my heart I feel as though I am losing a sibling. However, every time I see former students return to visit with their families, I feel proud and honored that my family and I were able to make an impact, and that students want to return to celebrate their happiness with us.

            When I think of what the future may hold, faces of students I have met and idolized pop into my head. The students who flowed through my house are the next generation of lawyers, engineers, mathematicians, and doctors. They will keep the world advancing and changing, so that when my classmates and I are ready to change the world, we will have a platform from which to start, just as previous generations have had. The students showed me the beauty and importance of extending help to everyone, because anyone may someday accomplish great things. I have been witness to this fact over and over again throughout my entire life. The message is about staying true to yourself and celebrating the fact that our potential is limitless — all we have to do is find it.         

I love you all, it has been beautiful and inspirational watching you on the journeys of life; I hope you realize how much of an impact you make on the world around you. Sincerely,

Baila Ertel

Rabbi E’s Daughter