Beth El became our second home when we moved to New Jersey. Rabbi Jehiel (Jerry to our Ramah memory) and Sylvia immediately became part of the fabric of our family. You were always an integral part of our Shabbatot, our Life Cycle events, our Jewish studies, and most certainly our “dugmaot” in life. However, what we also loved were the “other” times – your home was always opened to our children when they played at the park, paying attention to our kids on our walks home from shul, attending Avi’s First Grade Siddur Play because he had invited you on one of those walks (and then writing him a thank you note!!), witnessing the joy you felt becoming a grandparent for the first time when you picked up a carriage, and not to mention your competitive tennis in our backyard even when the temperature reached 100 degrees!! Jehiel, you are always our Rabbi, our teacher, our dear friend. The world changes around us but one constant is our love, our respect and our friendship for you and of course for Sylvia. We are honored to help celebrate your 77th! With much love, Brenda and Jerry
By: Brenda & Jerry Deener