soul

of blessed memory

Gone Too Soon

Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion president dies in plane crash.

R

abbi Aaron D. Panken, Ph.D.,
president of Hebrew Union
College-Jewish Institute (HUC-
JIR), died tragically in a plane crash on
May 5, 2018, at the age of 53. He served
as the 12th president in HUC-JIR’s 143-
year history.
Panken led the four-campus inter-
national institution of higher learning
and seminary for Reform Judaism.
HUC-JIR’s campuses in Cincinnati,
Jerusalem, Los Angeles and New York
provide the academic and professional
training programs for the Reform
Movement’s rabbis, cantors, educators
and nonprofit management profes-
sionals, and offer graduate programs
for scholars of all faiths. HUC-JIR’s
4,000 active alumni serve the Reform
Movement’s 1.5 million members and
nearly 900 congregations, represent-
ing the largest Jewish denomination
in North America and the growing
Progressive Movement in Israel and
around the world.
Panken was a distinguished rabbi
and scholar, dedicated teacher and
exemplary leader of the Reform
Movement for nearly three decades. As
a product of the Reform Movement’s
camps, youth movement and seminary,
his passionate commitment to Reform
Judaism, to the State of Israel and to
the Jewish people worldwide inspired
his efforts to ensure HUC-JIR’s academ-
ic excellence in fulfilling its mission.
As HUC-JIR President, Panken imple-
mented his vision by forging strategic
planning initiatives, embedding new
technology in support of student learn-
ing and administration, strengthen-
ing recruitment to yield the largest
incoming classes in a decade, launch-
ing new Jewish education, nonprofit

change in Rabbinic texts,
management and entre-
the newly published, co-
preneurship programs and
edited Engaging Torah:
academic partnerships,
Modern Perspectives on the
and invigorating the ties
Hebrew Bible and articles
linking HUC-JIR’s four
in leading academic jour-
campuses and their larger
nals and scholarly vol-
communities and regions.
umes.
He was a staunch advo-
Panken strove for ongo-
cate for religious pluralism
ing innovation and cre-
in Israel and was proud
ativity in strengthening
to have ordained the
HUC-JIR as the intellec-
100th Israeli Reform rabbi
graduating from HUC-JIR’s Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, Ph.D. tual center of Progressive
Judaism worldwide, with
Israeli Rabbinical Program
its renowned faculty of
on Nov. 16, 2017. It was
scholars and thought
his vision to renovate and
transform the Jerusalem campus into a leaders and internationally recognized
library, archive and museum research
dynamic educational and cultural cen-
resources. He stated, “Our mission is to
ter for the larger public. He exponen-
help our students grow into authentic
tially increased the number of Israelis
Jewish thought leaders, able to articu-
studying for the rabbinate, as educa-
late and advance their own visions of
tors, pastoral caregivers and interfaith
teachers for tolerance on the Jerusalem a rich Jewish life for a new and rapidly
changing religious landscape. We are
campus.
shaping a compelling message that will
Panken was elected HUC-JIR presi-
have an impact on the largest denomi-
dent by the board of governors on July
31, 2013. His appointment was effective nation of Jews in North America and
on Jan. 1, 2014, and he was installed on the growing Progressive Jewish com-
munity in Israel and worldwide.”
June 8, 2014, in Cincinnati.
An ardent supporter of Reform
Ordained by HUC-JIR in New York in
Judaism in Israel, Panken said, “As the
1991, Panken previously served as vice
president for strategic initiatives (2007- only North American seminary with
a full campus and programs in Israel,
2010), dean of the New York campus
we are uniquely positioned to influ-
(1998-2007) and dean of students
ence both Israeli and North American
(1996-1998). He joined the HUC-JIR
society, and to ensure that the relation-
faculty in 1995 and taught Rabbinic
ship between these two great centers
and Second Temple Literature, with
of Jewish life continues and thrives. We
research interests in the historical
will work hard to improve the under-
development of legal concepts and
standing and integration of Reform
terms, narrative development and
Jews worldwide with our Jewish State
development of holiday observances.
and with all our global partners.”
His publications included The
An alumnus of the Wexner Graduate
Rhetoric of Innovation (University Press
of America, 2005), which explored legal Fellowship, Panken earned his doctor-

ate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies at
New York University. He was on the
faculty for the Wexner Foundation
and the Editorial Board of Reform
Judaism magazine, and served on the
Rabbinical Placement Commission,
the Birthright Education Committee,
the CCAR Ethics Committee and in a
variety of other leadership roles within
the Reform Movement and the greater
Jewish community.
He lectured widely at academic
conferences and synagogues through-
out North America and as visiting
faculty at universities in Australia and
China. Prior to teaching at the College-
Institute, he served as a congregational
rabbi at Congregation Rodeph Sholom
in New York City and as a rabbinical
intern at Westchester Reform Temple
in Scarsdale, N.Y. A native of New York
City who graduated from Johns Hopkins
University’s electrical engineering pro-
gram, Panken was a certificated com-
mercial pilot and sailor.
At his inauguration convocation,
he said, “For me, Reform Judaism has
always symbolized what I consider to
be the best of Judaism — firmly rooted
in our tradition, yet egalitarian, inclu-
sive of patrilineal Jews and intermarried
families, welcoming to the LGBT com-
munity, politically active and respectful
of other faiths and ideologies.”
Rabbi Panken is survived by his wife,
Lisa Messinger; his children, Eli and
Samantha; his parents, Beverly and
Peter; and his sister, Rabbi Melinda
Panken of Congregation Shaari Emeth
in Manalapan, N.J. •

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