I am overcome with gratitude to Congregation B'nai Moshe for honoring me for my first ten years at the synagogue. Coming to B'nai Moshe has been the best decision of my professional life.

While I appreciate being singled out, the weekend of April 5-6 is truly a celebration of the entire congregation. During the past decade we have seen the re-birth of our synagogue community in our new home in West Bloomfield, the doubling of our membership, the creation and growth of our L.I.F.E. program, the building of the school wing, and the overall increased spirit within our four walls, on Shabbat and throughout the week.

I am grateful to the presidents who have led our congregation during my years at B'nai Moshe--Mike Grand, Pearlena Bodzin, Steve Rabinovitz, Susan Friedman, Len Wanetik and Larry Gunsberg. The members of the board and committee chairs at our synagogue are hardworking volunteers, and we all benefit from their service.

My job is made easier because of the support of our fine staff, led by Executive Director Sharlene Ungar, Education Director Daniella Mechnikov, the tremendous assistance of Suzette, Irina, Jean, Esther, Anita and Maxine, and the maintenance team of Robert, Mike and Michael.

In Cantor Earl Berris, I have found not only a colleague, but also a dear friend. Throughout the community and the country, rabbis and cantors alike are amazed and envious when they hear of our great working relationship.

I was privileged to benefit from the presence and guidance of three of the most outstanding synagogue religious leaders who ever lived--Cantor Louis Klein, Sexton Shalom Ralph and Torah Reader Abram Rabinovitz--all of blessed memory, and all leaving a lasting impact on our community.

B'nai Moshe has not only become a place to work--it is truly my second home. Moreover, you are a congregation which has welcomed my family to be a part of your family. Naomi and I will always treasure the memory of Jonathan's brit milah ceremony, held at the synagogue in 1994. Ten years later, next year in 2004, we will celebrate Gabriel becoming a Bar Mitzvah!

I am so thankful to Alisa Peskin-Shepherd and Anne Rottman, co-chairs of the 10th Anniversary Committee, Michael Grand, Pam Greenspan, Debi King, Elissa Paul and Ann Wanetik, sub-committee chairs, and the entire committee for creating a celebration which will be fun and affordable, bringing a maximum number of people together, and also helping to strengthen the future of our synagogue.