Q&A with Jill Tavlin Swartz
Q: Where did you grow up? Tell me about your family.
Jill: I grew up in Miami Beach, Bay Harbor to be exact. I moved to Miami from New York when I was in kindergarten. I grew up with my mom and dad and I have two older sisters. They are all still in South Florida.
I married Ken when I was 24 years old, two weeks after I graduated law school. We’ve been married for almost 16 years. We have two boys together, Eric (almost 12) and Justin (6).
Q: We are very fortunate that you decided to join our congregation. What originally drew you and now draws you to Emanu-El?
Jill: My husband & I first walked in the doors of the Temple on Rosh Hashana, in 2001, right after September 11th. We were in need of a very special place to have our spirits uplifted for the new year to come. Those were very special high holy days that we will not forget. Even with the change in clergy and the addition of the music, we find ourselves at peace with our choice to worship at Emanu-El. I’d say that now, it’s the music that keeps us coming back.
Q: What's your favorite activity or aspect of the congregation?
Jill: I love going to Temple on Friday nights. It’s a great way to cap off the work week. It truly separates the Sabbath from the rest of the week. After services and a bite of chocolate chip challah, I am ready to relax and enjoy my weekend.
Q: You recently learned to read Torah and became 'bat-mitzvah'. What inspired that? Tell us about that experience!
Jill: I grew up at a reform Temple in Miami. Having a bat mitzvah was not high on my list of priorities. I never regretted not having a bat mitzvah. Now I am the mother of two boys. They are being raised where having a bar-mitzvah is a priority. I did not want to force them to do something that I have not done myself. Some would say that girls don’t have the same obligations as boys. However, even though I am raising boys, I am quite egalitarian. Men and women do the same things in my house. I also wanted to set a good example for them; not only about the religious aspect, but about education as well. You are never too old to learn something new. I am so glad that I learned Hebrew and had the experience of reading from the torah. Those are the same words read by our ancestors so long ago, it is an honor to follow them generations later. I can’t wait to do it again.
Q: What's something that most people don't know about you?
Jill: I went to the University of Texas at Austin for college – and as a result, I am a closet country music fan!
Q: Do you have a favorite Temple Emanu-El moment or memory?
Jill: One year, on father’s day, I went with my husband and kids to the Sunday morning minyan. When the minyan was over, Ken & I went into the sanctuary and unveiled the memorial plaque in honor of my father-in-law Milton Swartz. We were joined by the clergy and so many friends on that day. All of the people there were people we had met at the Temple. None had actually known Milt. They were all just there to be with us – even though they had their own families and it was father’s day.
Q: What would you say is your favorite Jewish holiday?
Jill: Purim for sure! I love making hamentashen with my kids and coming up with crazy things to put inside them. I must own 6 rolling pins, just for that holiday! Besides, no fasting. And the kids can run around the Temple making all of the noise they want, in fact it is encouraged.
Q: Any hobbies, special talents, or interesting trivia?
Jill: I knit and crochet. My new years resolution for 2009 is to learn how to use the sewing machine my mom gave me 8 years ago. Anyone want to show me how???
Q: Your favorite food or beverage?
Jill: Tex-Mex and margaritas. Like I said, I went to the University of Texas!
Q: And lastly, what would be your one magic wish for the congregation/community?
Jill: I’d like to know that Temple Emanu-El will always be there for us and for our kids. I hope that both Eric and Justin not only have their bar mitzvahs there, but that they get married there as well. There is no sanctuary as beautiful as the one we have.
Thank you, Jill!