Sam Stone. The name itself is as solid and dependable as the man.

Last Saturday morning, Dec. 12, my old friend Sam’s synagogue, Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Hebrew Congregation, honored him for his decades of service to the Pikesville shul.

Sam got a new title at MMAE – he will become the congregation’s president emeritus, after years of holding many leadership titles with the shul. Sam tells me he is not being put out to pasture and that he will remain active in the leadership and direction of MMAE.

That’s a good thing, particularly at this critical juncture when Rabbi Elan Adler is planning to leave the shul to relocate in Israel. With his strong mind, charisma, work ethic and sense of Yiddishkeit, Sam will continue to be integral to MMAE’s growth.

As a former Hebrew school student and bar mitzvah at Moses Montefiore Woodmoor Hebrew, I want to wish a hearty yasher koach to Sam and his lovely wife, Sylvia, as well as to the folks at MMAE. Much good luck to this wonderful congregation for a promising future.

Sam, you’re the best.