Nancy Sargon
Nancy Sargon was born and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts. Nancy’s father was one of the founding members of Temple Beth Zion, but Nancy and her family attended Kehillath Israel and then Prozdor. She attended the University of Rochester for two years before transferring to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduating with degrees in religion and psychology before going to Columbia University for her master’s degree in Social Work. She had a career as a director for a nonprofit that provided care to the elderly and the disabled before taking time off to pursue her interests in Judaic studies Hebrew College and prepare for her adult bat mitzvah. Nancy lives in Newton with her husband, Norm, and two children. She is a member of Temple Emanuel of Newton and the Zamir Chorale of Boston.
Nancy describes her family background. His father was a Sephardic Jew from Bombay whose family originated from Turkey in the mid-1700s. Her paternal grandmother was born in Baghdad. Nancy’s mother grew up in an observant home where the boys had some Jewish education, but not the boys. Nancy discusses the role of the synagogue during her childhood. Attending services was very important to her father and uncles, first-generation immigrants who came to the United States in the 1940s. Nancy grew up in Brookline in a Conservative family. Her father was a founding member of Beth Zion, but the family attended Kehillath Israel. Nancy reflects on her Jewish education at Prozdor. They spoke Hebrew in Prozdor, but the education didn’t “sink in.” Nancy attended services with her father on Shabbat and took advantage of the youth programming at Kehillath Israel. Nancy talks about her education, first at the University of Rochester. She spent two years in Rochester before transferring to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduating with a double major in religion and psychology. She appreciated being in the minority as a Jew and how it helped shape her Jewish identity. Nancy went on to earn her graduate degree in social work at Columbia University and pursue a career in social work before refocusing her time, efforts, and education on her Jewish education and spiritual journey. When Nancy's father passed away, she began to say kaddish. Nancy attended the early morning minyan at Temple Emmanuel and connected with the clergy there, encouraging Nancy to be more involved with services. When she learned that Hadassah Blocker was offering a bat mitzvah class, Nancy jumped at the opportunity. Her background in music and Hebrew was an advantage in the class, and she was able to help some of the other students. Nancy remembers that her family was very supportive of her bat mitzvah, which took place in 2000 on Sukkot. They celebrated with a luncheon following the services. Nancy feels a responsibility to take on a more significant ritual role in the synagogue and to continue to expose her children to Jewish education and religious practice. Finally, Nancy reflects on her prayer life, the changing roles of women in Judaism, her future in religious services, and her continued spiritual journey.
