Note: We are sad to pass on this information about Jesse Michael Simon, the 16 year old in our wider community who took his life last week.  It is such a terrible and shocking tragedy and our hearts go out to his parents Andi and David, along with all of the family, the Nevei Kodesh community and beyond.

Ways to support Andi and David this week and help celebrate Jesse’s life:

SHIVA VISITS and MINYANS: Andi and David will be sitting shiva Wednesday- Sunday.  It is customary to bring food for dinner.  Andi and David live at 1424 Patton Drive (take Arapahoe, turn south on Patton (where Humane Society Thrift shop is – a little west of 55th). Each day Wednesday-Sunday, (except for Thanksgiving and Shabbat), the schedule is Visitation 1-3 p.m., Shiva Minyan 6-6:30pm, Dinner 6:30-8 p.m.  On Thursday and Saturday, there will just be Shiva Minyan 6-6:30, Food 6:30-8pm.

OBITUARY/DONATIONS: Please read below the beautiful obituary that Andi and David wrote, along with information about donations in  Jesse’s memory.
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Jesse Michael Simon (1994-2010)

Jesse Michael Simon of Boulder, a sweet, precious young man, led an amazing life in his short 16 years. He chose to leave this world on Nov. 18th, 2010 to find peace and serenity.

Jesse’s insights and understandings were well beyond his years. Sometimes it seemed that he could see right into a person’s soul and feel their joy or pain. He was so special and surrounded by love from so many.

Jesse was happiest working on small engines and building inventions of his own design. He loved flying radio-controlled airplanes with his dad. He enjoyed playing video games with his friends. Jesse most recently lived on a ranch where he was learning to ride, care for and connect
with horses. He was a talented musician, playing the drum set, writing poetry for lyrics, and playing the music he wrote with his bands.

Jesse is preceded in death by his Grandma Sybil Simon and his Grandpa Julie Bender who he knew he would meet in heaven. Jesse is survived  by his parents Andi Jason and David Simon, his Grandma Edith Jason and Grandpa Lou Simon, many aunts, uncles and cousins, his birthmother Fran Houston and his beloved dog Juni – all of whom love him deeply.

Jesse is now a kite soaring up to heaven. Please help us lift his spirit and celebrate his life at a memorial service led by Rabbi Tirzah Firestone.

The Jesse Star Fund has been established in Jesse’s memory. A star will be named after Jesse and the remaining funds will support teen suicide prevention. Donations can be mailed to:

The Jesse Star Fund
1424 Patton Drive
Boulder, CO 80303

Please visit ourmemoryof.com/jessesimon to share condolences, memories, stories and photos of Jesse.