The Shalom Hartman Institute mourns the untimely passing of our friend, board member, and longtime supporter
Richard Kaufman z”l
Dick was a true visionary, a leader and caring, committed member of the Hartman family who lived his life in the spirit of Hillel. We are devastated by this staggering and untimely loss to his family and our community.
Dick’s deepest commitment was to a Judaism of value and meaning which could inspire Jews to choose Judaism. He loved to learn, and it was not uncommon for his visits to the Institute to be intensely scheduled with meetings with senior fellows in areas of his research interests. These studies ultimately led him to pursue doctoral studies in Jewish identity and conversion over the past 10 years.
“Dick was one of the finest people I had the honor to know,” said Shalom Hartman Institute President Donniel Hartman. “His deepest commitment was to a Judaism of value and meaning which could inspire Jews to choose Judaism. Who we are, and who we have become, is in no small measure because we were all blessed to have had Dick Kaufman in our lives.”
Dick was the first and long-time chair of American Friends of the Shalom Hartman Institute and devoted enormous resources of time and energy to supporting, sustaining, and visioning the future of the Institute.
May his memory be a blessing, as was his life.
