Farewell Memory Fields

Dear Rabbi Jamie,

Congratulations on your retirement. You have earned it! 

We want to thank you for the consistent, comforting, and inspirational presence that you have been in the life of our family since we joined Temple Sinai in 1998. We are very grateful for the extraordinary role you played in Spencer's development as a dedicated student of the world and as a mensch. We are also very grateful for your involvement in the Interfaith program, your thoughtful, educational, and often moving sermons, and the wonderful and memorable 2000 trip to Israel with three generations of the Fields family.

While we have many fond memories of you, the one that comes to mind was a very brief (but life-changing) conversation with you, prior to the 2000 trip.  As we remember it, the trip was basically advertised as a trip for adults or young adults. Our conversation went something like this:

Us: What is the youngest age permitted for your trip to Israel?
You: How old is Spencer?
Us: 10 
You: The youngest age permitted is 10.
Us: Count us in!

Thank you once again for that gift!  

We wish you a long, healthy, and socially non-distant retirement with time to do and see and read everything you want for as long as you want.

With love and appreciation.