Rabbi Billy, You have been there for us from the first

moments of becoming a family and every lifecycle since.

We are grateful for your dedication and friendship

over the years & wish you all the best

in your next chapter.

 

From the moment we joined WCT,

you encouraged us to get involved.

 

Through Derech, Mitzvat Mississippi, Board of Trustees,

B'nai Mitzvot and so many others, you have helped guide

our paths towards Tikun Olam.

 

We are eternally grateful for your guidance,
leadership and friendship.

 

 

Rabbi!

 

Billy!

 

You were always there for us,

and we learned so much from you.

 

With love and gratitude,

 

The Hirschfeld Family

Tom, Julie, Ben, and Leila

 

 

Thank you Billy, for bringing joyful noise
(and meaningful thought) into our lives

for so many years.

 

We will always cherish our growthful times together.

 

Enjoy retirement!!

 

With love,

Doron, Joanne, Jared, Adam, Samara

 

 

 

We thank you for sharing our simchas and sorrows,

for educating our children,

for officiating at our B'nai Mitzvot,

for Joyful Noise, and just being our friend

throughout the years.

 

 

Thank you, Rabbi Billy, for your spiritual guidance

and warm friendship through so many of our family's

most important milestones over the years.

 

We are excited to see you shine

in your next chapter.

 

With love and best wishes,

Faith, Marc, Josh and Sammi Ackerman

 

 

Retirement is Waiting Billy

So Many Well deserved TREASURES AWAIT YOU!

 

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Enjoy!

 

The Friedman Brothers

Norm & Herb

 

 

Rabbi Billy,

It has been an honor and a joy
to worship, learn, and sing with you
all these years.

 

We're looking forward to seeing

what you do next!

 

With love and gratitude,

The Gralla/Chang Family

Heidi, Dean, Rachel, Brendan & Joshua

 

Billy, You have been a force and a friend

in the Jewish world and far beyond it,

and you deserve every accolade.

I am lucky to know you.

Thank you for all you do and how well.

Warmly, Abby Pogrebin

 

As the representatives of

our children's religious educations,

we hope you take this
new step in your life to...

 

meet a new friend,

read a new book,

and learn a new skill...

 

We love you!

 

Thank you for allowing us to accompany you
for the last 50 years.

 

We are overflowing with gratitude

for the service and modeling

that your life's example taught us.

 

Mazal Tov, Billy.

 

 

Best Wishes in Your Retirement!

Jeane Bodin, Dassi Citron, Judy Flamm,

Yvette Gralla, Lois Green, Abby Hirsch, Howard Hunter,

Audrey Kaplan, Judy Kessler, Jackie Leicht,

Meryl Lewis, Evie Lieb, Michelle Merer,

Rochelle Novins, Phyllis Opochinsky, Marge Philips,
Debbie Pollowitz, Sara Silverman,

Stacey Silverman, Marge Thrope, Liz Weinberg,

Frann Weinstein, Ann Zeliger, and Harriet Levine.

 

Thursday Morning Adult Jewish Studies Class

 

Dear Rabbi Billy,

We are grateful that you
have been our rabbi for all these years.

Thank you for teaching us, for leading us,

for inspiring us to do good deeds,

and for sharing in our families meaningful moments.

We will miss your stories, your songs,

your humor, and your compassion.

Mazel Tov on your retirement and we wish you
peace, health, joy and fulfillment in your next chapter.

 

Elise, Jim, Maeve and Charlotte Ballan

Harriet and Alan Wagner

 

Mazel Tov on your retirement!

 

Thank you for your 25 years of leadership.

 

You inspired us to become B'Nai Binah.

 

Best wishes for a happy and healthy future.

 

 

Thanks Billy for your 25 years of spiritual leadership

and your advocating for social justice.

 

Enjoy your retirement, spending time

with your family,

singing, playing music and writing.

 

 

 

They say that all good things

must end someday.....

 

We'll miss you dearly as our Rabbi,

but we'll remember you as a lifelong friend.

 

Ken, Liz, David, Michael, Julie, Ryan,

Tyler, and Hilda Blum

 

 

BIlly, from the time we walked in the door

to enroll Aaron and Jesse in Religious School,

to B'nai Mitzvah classes and celebrations,

to less happy life-cycle events, you have led us
with humor, kindness, and wisdom.

We will miss you but we will never forget

the many lessons you have taught us.

Mazel Tov on this new chapter.

We can't wait to see what you do next.

With love,

Larry, Nancy, Aaron and Jesse

Dear Rabbi Billy, We are so grateful for your
guidance, friendship, laughter and music.

You made two generations of our family better
people through your teaching, and the third
generation will grow up in the knowledge that
you have passed to us.

You have shaped our family and our lives profoundly.

With love, Susie, Ed and the kids: - Heather,
Zach, May (7) and Naomi (4) - Melanie, Bob,
Josephine (4) and Jude (1) - Michael
and Taylor

 

Todah Rabah and Mazel Tov!

 

To our Rabbi, our Mentor and our Friend.

We wish you peace, joy and love

as you and your family write the next chapter

(and many more songs).

 

Martha & Michael

 

 

Mazel tov, Billy, on your retirement.

 

You have been a supportive teacher

and friend to us all.

 

We wish you all the best

as you begin a new chapter.

 

 

With gratitude for your kindness, welcoming,
wisdom, confirmation curriculum (!!!),
encouragement, and, most of all,

for the example that you set for me

and all of our rabbinic colleagues!

 

Wishing you nothing but blessings

on the next step of your adventure.

 

L'Shalom, Rabbi Howard J. Goldsmith
(aka Howie)

 

There are not enough words to express

what you mean to our family.

Every life event that you were a part of,

was made more meaningful or more bearable,

because of you.

Thank you!

Your presence in our life is a blessing

to our family and we love you!

Best wishes in your retirement

and the adventures that are ahead.

 

  Amy, Fred, Andrew, Justin

and David Green

 

Thank you for making our special moments

from celebration to sorrow

so meaningful and memorable.

 

We will never forget you.

 

We wish you all the best.

 

Pietra, Alan and Ben

 

 

Mazel Tov Dear Rabbi........

 

We will miss you terribly, but we are thrilled
that you are starting a new exciting chapter
in your amazing life.

It was an honor and a blessing to have you in our lives.

We wish you love and joy on your journey!

 

 

 

Many thanks for sharing

both the happy times and sad times

we spent together.

 

I wish you many exciting adventures

in the next phase of your life.

 

The Levine Family

Zeke, Adrian, Emmett, Elizabeth and Darren

 

 

Mazel Tov, Rabbi Billy, on your retirement.

 

We will miss you and all the joyful noise
you create.

 

Toby, Barry, Charlie and Owen Linder

 

 

Thank you for helping each of us

to have a deeper connection to Woodlands

over the past 20+ years.

 

We will miss your sensitivity, consideration
& sense of humor.

 

Enjoy your well-earned retirement!

 

Billy, When we first considered joining
Woodlands back in 2004, you took time from
your Wildwood vacation to send us an email
that all but sealed the deal.

And here we are, 17 years later, all of us
able to say our lives have been transformed by
our association with you-and all that
is Woodlands.

Thanks so much for that.

We're looking forward to your next chapter.

With love, The Olstein-Winklemans:

Mike & Andrea, Ari, Imogene & John, Estelle & Mikey

Thank you, Rabbi and friend

* for walking with me through the cycles of life,

both those filled with joy

and the others diminished by sorrow  
* for opening the doors to Jewish learning
* for teaching me to BE TORAH
* for inviting me into temple leadership
* for all the music
* for teaching me to pray with my feet
* for sharing Ellen, Katie, Jonah, Aiden

LOVE,  Phyllis Opochinsky and Family
 

 

Thanks for being there to celebrate

the good times and sad times,

from confirmation to weddings to shivas.

 

We will miss you.

 

Wishing you a fulfilling retirement.

 

 

Thank you for being a part of

our family's lives all these years.

 

Suzanne , David and we are so appreciative.

 

You hold a special place in our hearts.

 

Thank you and wishing you health and happiness
in the years to come.

 

Eileen and Peter Reiter

 

Billy...

 

thank you for all you have been to us

over the years at Kutz, Woodlands...

 

and beyond.

 

We love you and are excited

for your next chapter!!

 

With much love,

Eve, Elliott and Emma

 

Rabbi Billy,

 

We are so grateful for your many years of leadership:

of stories and music and
laughter and wisdom.

 

Mazel tov on your retirement and enjoy!

 

We'll miss you!!!

 

 

Thank you for making Woodlands a warm

and inspiring spiritual home for our family.

 

Your wisdom, kindness and call-to-action

will live on in our hearts and minds.

 

Wishing you all the best in your retirement!

 

 

Rabbi Billy, We are forever grateful that you
were a part of our family in the best of times
and the saddest times.

 

Your support will never be forgotten.

 

With great appreciation,

 

Fran, Adam, Will and Amanda Stein

Danielle and Jordan Sessler

 

 

 

Billy, thanks for making us feel welcome

and for inspiring us with your messages

of wisdom, compassion and good humor.

 

Gary, Anne, Ray and Henry Stern

 

 

Wishing you the best, Billy and Ellen,

in this new chapter of your lives.

 

Todah rabah for all you have done.

Keep on making joyful noise!

 

Much love,

 

 

Mazel Tov, Billy!

 

What an incredible accomplishment.

 

We are grateful for everything you have given our family

in the few short years we've known you.

 

Best wishes from all of us!

 

Rose, Vinni, Vera and Juna

 

 

Billy,

 

We've shared so many wonderful memories together -

bat mitzvahs, weddings and so much more.

Wishing you the very best,

 

Mark and Liz Weinberg

&

Tammy, Matt, Sylvie and Ruby Black

 

Mazel tov to you and your family!

 

Thank you for being there for our family
throughout the years.

 

Wishing you all the best as you start

this new chapter.

 

Mazel Tov Rabbi Billy!

 

Wishing you good health and happiness

in your retirement - we hope it's a time to enjoy

all of the things you love to do

with all of the people you love.

 

Thank you for supporting us through so much
and making our time at Woodlands so special.

 

Susan and Sammi Aibinder

 

 

Billy, it doesn't matter where you go

or what you do.

 

You will always be my rabbi.

 

Much love,

 

Thank you Billy for helping me to become

a Bat Mitzvah. It meant a great deal to me

and fulfilled a dream I harbored for many years.

 

Also, your support and sensitivity

at my parents' funerals

was much appreciated

and will not be forgotten.

 

Best wishes always.

 

 

Thank You Rabbi Billy.

 

For your knowledge, generosity,

and the attention that you paid to us,

we are all the better.

 

Love and the Best to You Always,

 

Janis, Larry, Mae, and Shayna Berglas

 

 

Thank you, Billy, for being our Rabbi.

 

Thank you for officiating

at our life cycle events.

 

Thank you for being an inspiring teacher.

 

And thank you for being our friend.

 

Thank you, Rabbi Billy,

for the warmth of your welcome,

your spiritual guidance

and for being such a great teacher.

 

When we were looking for a temple,

and came to a Woodlands service,

we knew we found a home.

 

We wish you the very best as you embark on
your next chapter.

 

 

Thank you for your guidance and support to us
and our children.

 

We are grateful for the many milestones

we shared with you.

 

We will miss you and wish you good health

and happiness as you start this next chapter

in your life.

 

 

Mazel Tov!

 

Thank you for your inspiring mentorship,

your warmth and kindness, and your humor.

 

We will miss you!

 

Mazel Tov, Rabbi Billy,

for 25 years of spiritual leadership!

 

Thank you for all your inspiring words

over the years.

 

We thank you for officiating the first ZOOM
Bar-Mitzvah at WCT, and making that day

as special as it could be for Jaron

and our family (including all of our kitties :).

 

 

Your guidance and loving support through all
our years at Woodlands will never
be forgotten.

 

We wish you so much happiness in this next
chapter of your life.

 

With gratitude and love,

 

 

Toda raba.....

 

for making us think, for making us laugh,

for all that you have done

to make our lives more meaningful!

 

With love and gratitude, we wish you

all the best as you embark on

this next phase of your life.

 

Andrea, Adam, Jordan, Jeannie & Jon

 

 

Mazal Tov Rabbi Billy on your retirement.

 

We are grateful for the many years of
leadership, guidance, humor, and music.

 

We are sorry to be losing you,

but we are excited to hear what the future holds

for the Dreskins!

 

Jamie, Andrew, Meredith, and Jordan Fox

3 B'nai Mitzvot

2 Confirmations

1 Wedding
Too many funerals and shiva services

+ Countless learning sessions, congregational
events, committee meetings

and random conversations

Equals how much you've been a big part of our lives.

You'll be missed.

 

Thanks for it all!

Karen, Mark, Audra, Matt & Sara Fox

 

We can't thank you enough

for being our remarkable Rabbi.

 

We wish you the best for your next chapter.

 

With love and gratitude -

 

Rochelle, Jeff, Sophie and Sam

 

 

Mazel Tov, Rabbi Billy!

 

We're so excited for your next chapter.

 

We will always be grateful for your
leadership, thoughtfulness and sense of humor.

 

You will be greatly missed!

 

 

 

The Gabay Family is grateful to have been

a part of The Billy Years!

 

We will miss your easy smile, compassionate
heart and terrific sense of humor.

 

Liz, Sydney and Samantha

 

You are Woodlands Temple to me.

 

The temple became a lively place

with your leadership, the music, the sermons

and your open manner to Jesse and me.

 

You made Woodlands a special place.

Best of luck when you move on.

 

With love,

 

Mazel Tov, Rabbi Billy, on beginning

the next chapter of you life.

From being Danny's confirmation leader

as the Woodlands Rabbinical Intern in 1986

to co-officiating at his wedding in 2002,

to Cantor Ellen's leading Dorothy's unusual Bat Mitzvah,

you and Ellen have been there for so many of our simchas.

Now we wish you only simchas on your retirement

and express our gratitude and joy
for all you have done for us and for Woodlands.

 

 

May this new chapter of your life

be filled with good health, peace, happiness,

love and wonderful memories.

 

Mazel Tov!

 

Love,

 

Joy, David & Melanie

 

 

Wishing you a lifetime of continued learning,
laughter and many more adventures
through life!

 

After all, you have been there for us

through so many of ours.

 

Thank You forever Billy.........

 

The Hagouel, Perlstein, Penn
and Lane Gottfried Clan
 

 

Twenty years ago, as newcomers to the community,

we found a home at Woodlands.

A place to help our children understand

the value of Judaism.

A place to continue adult Jewish education.

A place to celebrate with a community.

Even though we are all now many miles away,
Woodlands is still "Macon Shelibi Ohave"
for all of us.

Thank you, Billy, for everything.

 

To Billy, the Rabbi our Hearts Hold Dear,

It's like the last song at the B'nai Mitzvah party says:

In good times, and bad times,

I'll be on your side forever more,

That's what friends are for.

 

Thanks for always being not only our Rabbi,
but our Friend, always on our sides.

Thank you for making Woodlands such a special
place for our family.

Wishing you and your family only the best with love,

Jill and Richard Iturbe and Family

"Bye, bye Billy , We're gonna miss you so
Bye bye Billy, Why'd you have to go ...."
Wishing you a wonderful

and well-deserved retirement!

 

Enjoy this new chapter in your life .

With good health, much joy and fulfillment.

 

Congratulations!!

 

All the best always,

The Kohn/ Rockafellow Family

 

 

 

If your actions create a legacy that inspires
others to dream more, learn more, do more

and become more, then you surely deserve

the title of "Super Rabbi".

 

Best wishes for a joyful retirement.

 

Rabbi Billy ~~~

Congratulations on this milestone in your life.

 

Our families have shared simchas and sadness,
and we wish you and your family

all the best going forward.

 

Enjoy wonderful occasions and endeavors

in the next chapter of your life.

 

~ Fondly~ 

 

 

After we met you for the first time,

we knew WCT would be a great fit

for our family.

 

Congratulations on a well deserved retirement!

 

Keith, Ashley and Emery Margulis

 

 

Wishing you a long, happy,

and healthy retirement.

 

May it be even better than you ever imagined.

 

Mazel tov!

 

 

Dear Billy,

 

As president of your mutual
musical fan club, from Brandeis until now,

I wish you a retirement filled with ample time

to create new worlds of music.

 

Larry Milder

 

 

Mazal tov to Rabbi Billy Dreskin

and thank you for, among many other things,

modeling for our students a rabbinate worth emulating!

 

Wishing you and your family

all that you hope for

in this new chapter of your lives.

 

Warmly,

Rabbi Margaret Moers Wenig

HUC-JIR-NY

 

 

Wishing you a wonderful retirement!

 

Enjoy the new chapter of your life.

 

We hope it's filled with good heath,
relaxation and fun!

 

The best to you always and CONGRATULATIONS!

 

 

Rabbi Billy, thank you for making Woodlands

such a special and welcoming home for our
community and our family and for instilling
Jewish values in us all.

 

We are grateful for your guidance and leadership.

 

We will miss your warm and cheerful presence,
but you will forever be a part of Woodlands.

Wishing you peace, health and joy in your retirement,

 

Debbie, Todd, Brandon and Adam Restler

Hard to believe it was 21 years ago

when we met you during our baby naming

for Leandra at WCT! With you as the Rabbi,

we knew WCT was a temple for us!

 

Thank you for being part of our many lifecycle events

and we wish you good health and happiness

as you begin the next chapter in your life!

 

Mazel Tov on your Retirement!

 

Richard, Sandy, Dean and Leandra Spilka

Mazel Tov Rabbi Billy!

May your retirement be a long and healthy one,
with days filled with enjoying family,

good friends, good books and music!

 

Thank you for being there for us

throughout the years, in joyful and sad times,

and for your years of spiritual leadership,

friendship and teaching.

 

With all our best wishes,

Dear Rabbi Billy,

 

As one season followed
another, your humor, spirituality, resilience
and perseverance were guideposts

for our family.

 

We thank you and wish you many blessings

in the years ahead.

 

 

Mazal tov on this honor, and for the gifts
you not only have given to countless humans
who have been in your presence, but to me -

as a mentor, guide and friend.

Supporting you teaching Confirmation,

singing and leading back when I was a student,

and always feeling a part of the Woodlands Family
has been a significant part of my growth

as a cantor and as a human.

Only love.

 

Thank you Rabbi Billy for sharing the MANY JOYS

with our Family throughout the Years.

 

Wishing you Health & Much Joy

in your Retirement.

 

We will Miss You.

 

The Woolf Family

Lewis, Reta, Jessica, Jonathan,
Bruna, Olivia & Julia