The newest member of the Mayer family, Nathan Benjamin, arrived on Saturday, Jan. 4. Also in this family portrait are big brother Mason Alexander and parents Brian and Tiferet Mayer. (Melissa Rieke photo)Tiferet and Brian Mayer welcomed the community’s first bundle of joy, and their second son, on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long. He has light brown hair and blue-gray eyes.The proud papa told The Chronicle, “We’re super happy and blessed that he’s happy and healthy and we’re excited he’s the first baby of the new year.”The couple, who have known each other eight years and have been married for six, chose to name their young son Nathan Benjamin. He was given his Hebrew name, Nachum Berel, at the bris last Sunday. The name Nathan was chosen after Tiferet’s beloved grandfather, of blessed memory, who passed away almost exactly a year before Nathan was born.Tiferet was very close to her grandfather and naming her son after him is very meaningful to her. She said her grandfather was an amazing human being with the biggest heart you could ever imagine.“He was the most genuine and caring person who left a lasting impression on everyone he met,” Tiferet said. “He would be so proud of this beautiful little boy we brought into the world. I know this little guy will follow in his footsteps and be just as caring, loving and kindhearted as Grandpa Nathan.”The mother of two explained that the name Nathan means “a gift from God.”“It couldn’t be more accurate or fitting! We feel so incredibly blessed and are completely in love with our new addition to the family,” she concluded. Nathan’s middle name, Benjamin, belonged to one of the baby’s great-great grandfathers. Benjamin was the name of Tiferet’s grandmother’s father.Tiferet was born in Israel and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and Brian is from Chicago, where the couple met. From Chicago they moved to Los Angeles for three years, then moved to this area three and a half years ago for work. They miss LA’s weather, but are happy here.“It’s a good place to raise kids,” Brian said. Members of Congregation Beth Shalom, the Mayers’ older son Mason Alexander, who is 2 ½, attends the congregation’s Rose Family Early Childhood Education Center. Mom said he loves being a big brother.“He came to visit in the hospital and was a little skeptical at first, but by the time he left he was giving kisses and hugs to the baby and wanted me to bring him home. He’s adjusting well,” Tiferet said.As parents of the First Jewish Baby of 2020, the couple will receive a free one-year subscription to The Chronicle. In addition, the family will be showered with prizes from the following Chronicle advertisers:• Star of David necklace from Brookside Jewelry BKS• Floral bouquet from Craig Sole Designs• An overnight stay and breakfast for two in the Trofi Restaurant from the Doubletree by Hilton Kansas City-Overland Park• Two tickets to any Spring 2020 Carlsen Center Presents performance and two chicken spiedini dinners at Garozzo’s Ristorante before the show from Johnson County Community College• $25 gift certificate from Gates Bar-B-Q• $500 gift certificate toward kindergarten tuition at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and a Future Ram bib• Two tickets to any 2020 performance at KC Actors Theatre• Two tickets to any remaining show from the 2019-20 season at KC Rep• $50 gift certificate from Pressed Penny• $25 gift certificate from Cosentino’s Price Chopper• $25 gift certificate from Riley’s Phillips 66• $50 gift certificate from the Skinology Skincare• $50 gift certificate from the Tasteful Olive• $50 gift card from Urban Table
