William came to Temple Emanu-El for services one night. The Rabbi told my mother, Marilyn, and her friend, Loretta, to "not let William sit by himself." Mom introduced us a couple of months later. We got to know each other better during Hebrew class, culminating in preparations for our B'nei Mitzvah.

The B'nei Mitzvah ceremony on Saturday, March 4, 2017, along with five other classmates, was the result of intensive study and preparation. With the prior approval and encouragement of the clergy and the class, William surprised Linda at the conclusion of the ceremony by getting down on one knee in front of the congregation and proposing!