This coming week will end the period of shloshim for Rabbi Dr. Aaron Panken, President of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He was a formidable Talmud scholar, a visionary seminary president, and a passionate advocate for social justice. He is mourned by leaders across the spectrum of Jewish life, throughout the academic world, by his loving family, and by his many students. It is astounding how many lives he touched, and touched deeply.
Including mine. He was my teacher, my mentor, my rabbi. I still use much of what he taught me in my own teaching. I sought his advice throughout my years in rabbinical school and then as a rabbi. He supported me through very challenging times and celebrated the birth of my children.
He was a teacher of Torah in the deepest sense, and I will continue to share his Torah with the world. And so I do so now, and conclude with his words:
"We who are given the gift of life, no matter how short or long it happens to be, do best by imbuing its every moment with meaningful actions that are complete, whole, and innocent. If we can have the strength to do so (and it is far from easy), then we, too, can one day face death with deeds that speak to our life's goodness and the way we lived it well."
May his memory be a blessing.
Rabbi Silverman