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"...you have always had a powerful presence and had a hand in shaping my young life in ways that are still with me now..."

Gail Sussman Miller

My earliest memory of Rabbi is sitting at Victor's feet. The Sussmans joined Beth-el when I was in second grade. There I was, with all my classmates, sitting on the bima under the sukkah, staring up at this powerful man in the black robe. He had a booming voice, a hearty deep laugh and a deeply dimpled smile.

Starting at an early age, my younger sister, Sandy and I, would imitate the rocking motion Rabbi made when he delivered a sermon. He rocked from heel to toe and toe to heel, the full length of his feet, rising and falling, with his hands clasped behind his back. It was almost intoxicating.

It was our delight to perform an imitation for Rabbi and he loved it and went along with the humor. He enjoyed laughing and made holidays as much fun as possible.

Rabbi, I wish you a huge celebration of this 80th year and a loving look back at your whole life. You were not just bigger than life because I was small, in this memory, you have always had a powerful presence and had a hand in shaping my young life in ways that are still with me now. Thank you for all you've done for Beth-el, for the Jewish Community of Chicago, and for being who you are.