I鈥檓 writing with the devastating news听that our beloved friend and colleague, Professor David Shneer, passed away on the morning of November 4th after a long battle with cancer. David was many things 鈥� a groundbreaking听scholar,听a visionary leader, a passionate activist, and a devoted teacher. For so听many members of this community and the Jewish Studies world across the globe,听though, David was much more. He was a friend,听mentor, and role model 鈥撎齭omeone whose warmth, generosity, and deep and abiding care for those around him听transformed and inspired lives. He was someone听who made CU Boulder, Colorado, and academia听a home for so many of us.
The Mishnah teaches that each person听should make for themselves a friend, acquire for themselves a teacher, and judge听everyone favorably. David exemplified what friendship, learning, and embracing 鈥撎齛nd听changing 鈥� the world truly mean. We are grateful for the time that we had听with him, and heartbroken by his loss.
May his memory be for a blessing.
听
Elias Sacks
Director, Program in Jewish Studies
University of Colorado Boulder