Sorry for writing "in a bulk", but although I would have written 
(slightly or less slightly) differently if communicating with each of you, 
this would have been too much work.

In contrast to my fears, I was able to sleep (well) last night.

As usual (for me), I find it much easier to express 
my feelings and thoughts in writing than orally.

Firstly, let me thank you all for participating in the event,
each in their own way, and I deeply respect all ways
(including the public expression of emotions and thoughts 
as well as implicit expressions revealed by a smile
or merely by presence (in body or just in spirit...)).
I think that this event was extraordinarily rich in contents,
and that all have contributed to the contents (each in their own way).
However, contents cannot exist without a framework, and so 
special thanks are due to Ran for setting/creating the framework 
(and to all others who have also contributed significantly to 
creating the framework, especially to Yehuda, Irit and Moni).

I share the feeling expressed by quite a few of you
by which this event was actually a celebration of our community 
and as such it was empowering for us all.  
But, of course, it was far more empowering or me, 
for the obvious reason (which I will not deny) 
that it was announced as well as implemented as singling me out
(which is unjustified, in general).

In a private discussion I heard the clever and cynical saying
by which the bad thing with these events is that one may
start believing all the nice things said about them.
My view is different. I don't *relate* to the nice things said 
about me as factual assertions but rather as normative imperatives.
That is, while not disputing the fact that these assertions have 
a truth-value and may be said with such an interpretation in mind,
I interpret them as "demands" and feel obliged to live up to them. 

I felt the same each time I received some privileges 
(e.g., tenure at Technion, then at WIS, as well as many local
things like a paper being accepted to some venue). 
To me this event was a huge gift; that is, with the exception of tenure,
it was definitely the most wonderful and important gift I have ever received 
(and will ever receive, as far as I can imagine...).
Now, I have to work very hard to try to justify this gift
(mainly to myself).

Another related thought is that the idealization (by the community) 
of myself as possessing some good properties (like commitment to truth) 
is a source of great hope, since I read in it a huge craving 
(of the community) for some ideals, which indicates a commitment
to these ideals and a desire to materialize them. 
Let me stress that, as recalled by Ran, I don't believe anyone
can meet any ideal, and nobody should agonize oneself for failing;
the obligation is only to do our best to get closer to the ideal,
while knowing that we shall never get really close to it.
(Connecting with the previous paragraph, I believe that the obligation to 
get closer to the ideal grows with the benefits and privileges that we get.) 

Lastly, a word about students. Like Hugo, I view the student-adviser
relationship as one of a parental character. I believe that a key feature 
of a good parental relationship, which is typically under-emphasized, 
is leaving the ``child'' with enough room; letting them determine
their distance and boundaries with full freedom, which means genuinely 
accepting any distance-choice they make as one that serves them best. 

P.S.: Feel free to forward. I includes all that I noticed and remember
and could easily find an email of (by some prior gmail communications).

P.S.: Please don't used the reply-to-all option unless you really believe
that your answer should reach all, since otherwise many will be upset
at me for having sent this email...