Dear Noa,
Last night, I sat glued to the TV, watching as the state delegates at the Democratic National Convention nominated Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States.
It was an amazing moment. The first woman to be nominated for President by one of our two major political parties. And what's more -- her opponent was the first Jew to be a final contender for a major political party as well. Two firsts in one evening. I don't think, as a child, I could have ever imagined that beautiful combination: A Christian woman running against a Jewish man. Neither were options during my youth.
When I was a kid, people talked about a female president. And we spoke about a Jewish president as well. But there was no woman running for president, and no Jew either. And so as much as people talked about it happening one day, it never felt like a reality.
Last night, that changed. Forever. Last night, men and women, young and old, black, white and brown, gay and straight -- all came together and cast their votes. Some for a Jewish man. More for a Christian woman. And History was made. We have our first female presidential nominee.
Watching women nominate Hillary was moving. But watching men nominate Hillary -- somehow, for me, that was even more impactful. It shows that we have truly reached a point in history when we don't need our leaders to look the same way we do. To dress the same way we do. To be as we are in all ways.
The final nomination last night was made by Bernie Sanders. He nominated Hillary Clinton, and accepted his own defeat. And in that moment, he modeled for the rest of the country how to accept defeat like a mensch. In life we will not win every challenge, and so we all must learn how to step aside humbly and with grace. It was beautiful to watch Bernie do this, and to hear the crowd cheer him on. There can be sweetness in life, even when things do not go our way, and in that moment, I felt that sweetness for Bernie.
Noa -- May last night instill in you the knowledge that there is nothing that you cannot achieve in America as a Jewish girl -- soon to be a Jewish woman. May you always strive for greatness, knowing that you are so fortunate to be both female and Jewish, and have much to share with the world.
Last night, I watched a moment that will be remembered by historians for years to come and it was wonderful. The only thing that could have made it better would have been watching it curled up on the couch next to you.
Love,
Mom