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Dear Congregation of Moses friends,

As most of you probably already know, we recently moved back to Chicago from Kalamazoo.

This decision was not made lightly. Kalamazoo has been our home for the past 20 years, and it is where we have built lasting friendships, cherished memories, and felt supported by a truly remarkable community. In 2006 we visited the synagogue and after meeting with a warm and welcoming Jen Rubin, the Religious School principal at the time, we decided to join the Congregation of Moses and raise our two, soon-to-be-three, children at the synagogue. Later that year, Miriam was born and we were happy to have her baby naming during the Sisterhood Shabbat.

The support, kindness, and care you have shown our family during our time in Kalamazoo has meant the world to us. From years of weekly Hebrew and Sunday schools to Shabbat services, three B’nai Mitzvot, Camp Keshet, Purim plays and carnivals, Sukkot celebrations and end-of-school picnics, we have many, many fond memories.

And then of course there is the tragedy of Eli’s death. We really don’t know how we would have survived Eli’s short hospitalization, Shiva, and years afterwards without the love and support of our CoM friends. I cannot even list all the names of everyone who helped us through that terrible time, but you know who you are. You sat by his bedside with us, you came to the service, you stood by the open grave with us. You cleaned our home and prepared for Shiva, you brought chairs and Siddurim from the Shul, and you brought food and more food, for weeks. Most importantly, you continue to remember him and let us talk about him. Your support means everything to us.

Our move to Chicago obviously comes with mixed emotions - excitement for new opportunities and adventures, but also sadness at leaving behind a place and people we love. As you may also know, Naomi and her husband Adam recently welcomed a daughter, Eliza Violet Dorstewitz-Verne, into the world, and we love being a 15-minute walk from our new granddaughter. We are looking forward to this next chapter but we will always carry the warmth and generosity of Kalamazoo in our hearts. And we will be back to visit!

Thank you for taking care of us, for welcoming us into your lives and for being such an important part of ours. We will miss you dearly.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes,

Jenna, Richard, and Miriam Verne & Naomi and Adam Dorstewitz-Verne