AARON PANKEN

PANKEN--Rabbi Aaron D. The Officers, Board members, and global staff of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) mourn the tragic, untimely passing of our devoted Board member and a beloved Jewish community leader, Rabbi Aaron Panken, z"l. The president of Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was ordained, Rabbi Panken served as CEO of HUC-JIR's four campuses, including its program in Jerusalem, and was an ardent champion of the Reform movement's role in Israel. Under Rabbi Panken's leadership, HUC-JIR joined with JDC Entwine to launch the Weitzman-JDC Fellowship for Global Jewish Leaders, which he called "a compelling new paradigm" that is fostering activism and an understanding of global Jewish issues among HUC-JIR's rabbinical, cantorial, and Jewish education students and throughout the movement. As described by JDC Vice President Jane Weitzman who worked closely with Rabbi Panken, "He was a true partner and visionary, ready with excitement to pioneer something new in the Jewish world, and always providing his insights and care to guide the HUC-JIR and JDC staffs to success on behalf of a rising generation of Jewish leaders." We extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Lisa Messinger; his children, Eli and Samantha; his parents, Beverly and Peter; and his sister, Rabbi Melinda Panken. May his memory be for a blessing, and his commitment to "bring Jews together in shared purpose and responsibility" be an enduring inspiration to us all.
Penny Blumenstein
Chairman of the Board
Stanley A. Rabin
President
David M. Schizer
Chief Executive Officer