Aimee Irshay Gerace

1982 - 2023

December 17, 1982 - October 13, 2023 Aimee Irshay Gerace passed away on October 13, 2023 at the age of 40. She died of breast cancer, an illness she faced with unfathomable grace, dignity, and courage. Aimee was born in Tarzana, CA and lived in Los Angeles for most of her life. She graduated from Tulane University in 2005 and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2013. She served as the Director of Educational Engagement at Temple Isaiah for 4 years and most recently as the Education Director at Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. Aimee was a beloved rabbi in her community, and led with grace, sensitivity, and compassion.

Aimee married Marco Gerace on October 13, 2013 and she is survived by Marco and their two wonderful children, Carson and Amalia (Mali) Gerace. Aimee is also survived by her parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, aunt, uncle, and cousins, nieces and nephews, mother-in-law, and many friends; Stephen Irshay, Ellen Braun, Abbe Irshay, David Braun, Dana Irshay Petro, Joe Petro, Brittany Irshay Booth, Andrew Booth, Eric Irshay, Eric Braun, Lauren Braun, Elisabeth Braun-Lilenfeld, Casey Lilenfeld, Barbara Zipperman, Don Zipperman, Max Zipperman, Hannah Zipperman, Benjamin (Benny) Petro, Audrey Petro, Kenley Booth, Henry Braun, Rose Braun, Charlotte Lilfenfeld, and Lois Gerace.

To know Aimee was to adore her. It is difficult to fully express how devastating Aimee's passing is to her family, friends, and community. She was unfailingly kind, stunningly brilliant, and riotously funny. In her capacity as a rabbi, she was often called on to officiate weddings, baby namings, etc. for her family and community, and she infused each ceremony with her signature style, and received standing ovations for her "performances" on more than one occasion. Her children are a testament to how loving and warm and nurturing she was, and they are carrying on the best parts of her: her sensitivity, generosity, intelligence, humor, sass, inimitable style, and joie de vivre.

Aimee felt deeply connected to New Orleans and Israel, and was thankfully able to return to both places in the last months of her life. She would have been devastated to hear about the tragedy that took place in Israel in the last week of her life, but she was mercifully unaware of the events that transpired. Aimee devoted her life to serving the Jewish community, and she fiercely believed that Jews deserve a place to feel safe and to call home. To witness the terrorism against our people in the same week that we have lost our beloved Aimee compounds our grief indescribably.

There are no words to soothe the ache in our hearts. Aimee was the best of us, and she was senselessly taken from this world far too soon. We will miss her forever. We were all fortunate to have her in our lives. Services will be held at Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center at 5:00pm on Sunday, October 22. Donations can be made to Sharsheret or the Jewish National Fund in Aimee's honor.