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Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, R’ Meshullam Zalman Hiyya ben Chaya Gittel veShlomo HaCohen, founder of the Jewish Renewal Movement, passed away this morning at his home in Boulder at the age of 89. He was recovering from a bout with pneumonia that had him hospitalized last month. His wife, Eve Ilsen, posted this on his CaringBridge page today:
Dear Friends who have been following this saga of my—our—beloved—
Around 8:40 this morning, July 3, 2014, R’ Meshullam Zalman Hiyyeh took a few peaceful last breaths in his sleep, and slipped away from us.Baruch dayan emet
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Thank you all for all your caring messages, which I read to him daily.
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He would want you to continue giving tzedakah and doing your very own good in the world in his memory.
It is likely that the funeral will be tomorrow at Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder; and we know that he was hoping for a good shloshim.Blessings to you all,
Eve”
In accordance with his wishes, there will be a simple graveside funeral tomorrow, Friday, July 4, 2014 at Green Mountain Cemetery, 290 20th Street at 9:00 am followed by a memorial service at Congregation Har Hashem, 3950 Baseline Road at 10:30 am. Please consider carpooling to Har HaShem because space in the parking lot is limited. If the lots are full, there is parking available in the neighborhoods south of Baseline Road.
Please bring your own water bottles if you attend the funeral at the cemetery because it is expected to be very warm tomorrow.
Reb Zalman was emphatic that he did not want anyone to travel to Boulder on this occasion.
Please respect the family’s need for privacy at this time. The family’s needs during shiva will be posted at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/zalmanschachter.
Memorial contributions and tzedakah may be made to ALEPH’s Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi Endowment for Jewish Renewal here.
May Reb Zalman’s Family, Friends and Talmidim be comforted among all those who morn.
Meanwhile, here is a link to obituaries in the Jewish and mainstream press:
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, father of Jewish Renewal, dies, JTA
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Boulder rabbi and Jewish Renewal founder, dies at 89, Denver Post/Daily Camera
Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, father of Jewish Renewal, dies at 89, Yesod Foundation
Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Father of Renewal Judaism, Dies at 89, The Daily Forward
Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi Dies at 89, Tablet Magazine
Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, father of Jewish Renewal, dies at 89, Huffington Post
Reb Zalman Schacter-Shalomi dies, Intermountain Jewish News
I want to express my grief and sorrow to Reb Zalman family, as well as friends and community with a short story of how I met from the first time Reb Zalman:
I was reciting the haftora at the JCC about 13/14 years ago and at the end I heard someone behind me saying “hazak ou barouh”, the Sephardi way of “yachekoah”, being new to Boulder and to the US, coming from France and earlier in my life from Tunisia, This “hazak ou barouh” came as a breath of warm relief and comfort from someone who has been uprooted, and coming to an exciting but stressful new adventure in America.. when I turned my head I saw Reb zalman with his memorable and warm smile, asking me my name, when I said Hayoun, right away he said “you are from Tunisia?” and asked me questions about me and my family. Not knowing anything about his background, it didn’t take long through a short exchange with him, to feel that it was a privilege to meet him…
His simplicity to approach people and to be approach by them, his “joie de vivre”, rebellious nature and deep thinker was everything that I admire and felt connected with. The few lectures I attended and readings from Reb Zalman during the last few years helped me to raise my capability to rethink many of my previous preconceive notion of certain aspect of Judaism.
Thank you Reb Zalman
Alev ha-sholem
Sylvain