My dearest, darling Jody – love of my life, my best friend, my partner, mother of our children, the kindest, most compassionate person I have ever been privileged to know and grow with…

As I prepared this memory book for you, I was struck by all the blessings and how your friends and family felt about you. The same characteristics came up again and again. You are: warm, sensitive, smart, a great listener, giving, loving, concerned, honest, curious, welcoming to all, patient, fun, open to new ideas, passionate, inspirational, a fabulous dancer, a great cook (and not afraid to share it). You are committed to making the planet a better place, to always bettering yourself, to creating balance in your life, to seeking truth (and being true to yourself), to always being the best friend you can. You have built a beautiful home with wonderful children and a dedicated husband (that’s me!) You are filled with immense gratitude. You are loyal and work hard to maintain life long friendships.

And that’s just what other people say about you!

So what’s left for me? Ours is a true love story. We couldn’t have written a better beginning (and the middle is pretty great too). Together, we have actualized your dream of raising a Jewish family in Israel. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been unceasingly meaningful. Your commitment to relationships is clear from all the people who contributed to this book, and from the way I love you, adore you, can’t get enough of you, and just plain want to be with you – all of the time – on dates, in front of the TV watching Erica or Parenthood, eating lunch together, traveling the world, parenting the kids, solving problems, evolving religiously, discovering Nava Tehila (at just the right time), creating wonderful Shabbat meals (and family dinners) together, walking Monty on warm Jerusalem summer nights, taking advantage of every cultural activity, supporting each other without qualification.

You make me a better person – you always know how to do what’s right, whether it’s reaching out to people or giving tzedaka. Your commitment to breathing, meditation and focusing is an inspiration. And yet you are driven too – to build your business, to reinvent yourself professionally, to work hard to keep relationships fresh, exciting, warm and embracing. You have great taste. And you’re very sexy.

At this very moment, I have lived exactly half of my life with you. Time is finite, so we must make the most of it. I cannot imagine life without you, sharing everything that we do. You know I cry easily, so imagine what it’s been like to put together this book…and write this blessing to you. You are the most special person in the world and I have been privileged to spend all these years with you. I’m looking forward to your next 50, together: loving, building, sharing, exploring, creating, supporting.

I love you even more than you could imagine.

Your Brian