A Thank You to Ezzie, Serach and Elianna

This is my chance.

As Ezzie's away and will be unable to monitor all accolades or other forms of praise or entertainment, I figure now would be an excellent time to say thank you for the time he has put into this blog.

Due to geographical location, not everyone has the pleasure of meeting the Goldish family. I have had that honor and can personally attest that they are among the warmest, kindest people you will ever find. As a student, I can appreciate how awkward it is to sit at a dining room table of people you don't know very well and consider whether this thought would be appreciated, whether you should refrain from making that comment, and worrying overall whether the hosts will be upset by something that you say or you have said. It's generally a very tricky line.

In the Goldish house, that line doesn't exist. Mostly because you don't feel as though you're a guest, but rather as though you're part of the family. You enter the door, bearing your basket of candy (one of the more appreciated gifts, I find) and all is alternatively madness or serenity. If it's madness, grab a ladle or chef's hat and join in (no, don't. Ezzie would mind. He cooks, did you know? Quite well, too.) Wander about and find the adorable baby, Elianna, who clicks aloud and does her best to entertain you. Elianna is almost like a tourist attraction. People come to the Goldish house simply to see her (I suppose that's a slight to the proud parents. Ah well!)

As for Serach! Have you considered Serach, my dear friends? Consider the amount of time Ezzie puts into his blog. Actually, don't consider it, as it is potentially quite frightening. Ezzie is always online. I know this personally. He's always open and willing to chat with others, particularly when someone is feeling down or hurt or is in need of a kind word. He helped run the JIBS this year, meaning that he stayed up to extraordinarily late hours of the night and early hours in the morning. He is our aggregator, posting link roundups and intriguing analyses of events I don't understand, mostly sports-oriented. He does all this, and obviously this has a heavy time component. We must thank Serach for giving Ezzie up and allowing him to do this. The blog world truly appreciates it.

The Goldishes are a warm, generous, kind family. Their hospitality is famous and never a matter of clandestine frightening phonecalls. They are open and honest; they'll tell you if it's a bad week for them and leave it be. The conversation at their house is always interesting. Education, politics, sports, idealism; all this can be discussed at the drop of a hat. And there are always people who have their personal experience to add to the mix. They've met many different types of people from many different sects of Judaism and they treat them all kindly, making no distinction between different affiliations.

The Goldishes believe in people. They believe in knowing people, being kind to people, giving up their time to aid people, if that's possible, above all things people. As an out of towner who is unable to reciprocate adequately, all I can say is thank you.

Please join me, then, in the comment thread, in saying thank you to the Goldishes (and then they shall be pleasantly surprised when they return home!)