On February 23rd, 2012, our beloved Dad, Grandfather, Husband, Brother and Uncle died after a year-long battle with cancer.
Dad died peacefully at home and until the end suffered little pain.
Dad was brought up in New York City and attended Ramaz High School It was here that he met his future wife, Ophra in 10th grade. He attended Columbia University, JTS, and Yale University where he earned his PhD. degree.
He spent his professional life as a scholar and teacher. He held the position of Professor of Bible and Near Eastern Languages at HUC in Cincinnati for 45 years.
He and Ophra raised 4 kids in the house where Ophra, his wife of 53 years, still lives. Dad leaves behind thousands of students and many colleagues with whom he worked in the U.S., Europe, Israel and the Far East.
Dad was an athlete, playing basketball in high-school and was a denizen of the gym at HUC where he played with the same dedication and intensity as he showed in so many other facets of his life. He loved to play basketball in the backyard with his kids and taught his kids how to run for the bomb that he lobbed into the end-zone in the famous neighborhood football games. Dad ran track in college on the Columbia University team where he specialized in the relays.
Dad was a musician, having picked up the guitar in high-school and continued to strum at camp, in the Scouts and to his kids at bedtime. Dad loved to sing and read the Torah portion as often as he could on Saturdays in synagogue and his special love was to read the megillah on Purim.
This site has the text of the eulogies, memories and obituaries. We have posted some videos from the shiva, audio recordings and photos of Dad over the years.
Unveiling of Dad's z"l headstone - August 2012
A unique and multifaceted man, a revered teacher who loved his people and respected all living things.
