It is with great sadness that we share with you news of the death yesterday of David Passer, a beloved Keshet friend.
David was a quiet hero of our community; a person whose simple act of living his life touched many hearts and made the world better for all of us.
David and his husband, Marc Maxwell, made history in Massachusetts as the first gay couple who joined a synagogue as a family unit. In becoming members of Temple Israel of Boston, they opened up the concept of family for the entire Jewish community and paved the way for many LGBT Jews to find their home in synagogue life. This is just one of countless ways David and Marc made a difference.
For Keshet, David and Marc were among our earliest champions. Idit will always be grateful for the words of support they offered her as a young executive director and their belief in building a stronger Jewish community.
David was wise and kind and a true mensch. Our hearts go out to Marc and to David’s entire family, friends, and community.
David’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, September 2, 10 am at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston. Interment will follow at Wakefield Cemetery, 492 North Avenue, Wakefield.
Shiva will take place on Tuesday from 4-8 pm at Temple Israel and again on Wednesday from 3-7 pm, with a minyan at 6:30 pm, at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, Wayland.
We will miss David greatly and know that his memory will be for a blessing always.
Shabbat Shalom,
Idit Klein
Executive Director
Andrew Zelermyer
Chair, Board of Directors
