It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Gerard Daniel at the age of 102, on Friday, December 14th.
Gerry served as President of the WUPJ from 1980-1988. His legacy of leadership and vision blesses us to this very day. He and his wife Ruth were lifelong builders of Reform Judaism as you can read in the reflection shared by Rabbi Meir Azari here.
His leadership changed the landscape of Reform Judaism in Israel. During his tenure as World Union President, Gerry partnered with WUPJ Executive Director Rabbi Dick Hirsch to design, fund and construct Beit Shmuel, the World Union’s headquarters in Jerusalem. Gerry then turned his attention to the creation of Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv, now the largest Reform congregation in Israel, and partnered with Rabbi Meir Azari to create Mishkenot Ruth Daniel in Jaffa.
Funeral services will be held at Temple Sinai in Washington, DC on Wednesday, December 19 at 1:30pm followed by the burial at Judean Memorial Gardens in Olney, Maryland.
Shiva will be observed at the home of Gerry’s daughter, Miriam Daniel, and son-in-law, Larry Wolff, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7-9pm at 4108 Leland Street, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Both Miriam and Larry carry on Gerry’s commitment to and involvement in the WUPJ and Reform Judaism. Condolences can be sent to Miriam by email at: miriam.w.daniel@gmail.com.
The entire WUPJ family mourns Gerry’s passing. His death leaves a hole in the fabric of Jewish life around the world.
Zecher Tzadik Livracha. May the legacy of Gerry Daniel continue to bless us.
Rabbi Daniel Freelander Carole Sterling
President, WUPJ Chair, WUPJ