In August, my friend Wade Bacon completed his conversion to Judaism.
Wade has been married to Rebecca (Weinstein) Bacon since 2002. They raised their daughter and two sons Jewish, all three graduating from Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School. The family has also been active at Anshe Emet Synagogue for many years.
In addition, Wade has been a member of my nearly all-Jewish bowling team, the Semitic Strikers+. When he joined the team last year, he asked that we add the "+" for him, as he was the only non-Jew on the team.
In November, Wade told us that he was going to convert. Of course, I was delighted, but asked him why now, after all these years?
Wade said that what he saw on October 7 made him realize he didn't want to only be an ally to the Jewish people, he wanted to be part of the Jewish people.
During the service where he completed his conversion, Wade announced his Hebrew name. He told us that when he married Rebecca, there was a
Ketubah
(a Jewish wedding contract), and he unofficially took the Hebrew name
Noach
. He chose the name because, like Noach, Wade is a builder (he's an architect).
On the morning of his conversion, Wade told the congregation that he was also taking a Hebrew middle name. Because the events of 10/7 inspired him to complete this journey, he wanted a middle name that would honor the people of Israel, namely their courage.
In Hebrew, one word for "courage" is "oz," and because the residents of Kibbutzim Nir Oz and Nahal Oz fought back against the terrorists with great courage--and continue to persevere with such courage--he chose "Oz" as his middle name. I was not the only one to shed a tear during services that August morning after Wade shared this one part of his conversion journey.
In September while in Israel for a wedding, Wade and Rebecca will visit Kibbutz Nir Oz to honor those who fought, fell, were taken, and who are still putting their lives back together. The kibbutz rarely opens its gates now, but they were so moved by Wade's decision, that they asked to bring him and Rebecca to their home.
In the meantime, the Semitic Strikers have removed that "+" from our name.
Daniel Goldwin is JUF's Chief Public Affairs Officer.
