On Friday, I learned of the death of Jonathan Woocher, PhD.
Over the years, I’ve had multiple opportunities to learn with Jon. He always was incredibly kind to me, and even when we disagreed, or when someone in a workshop challenged him — usually on his take on some recent trend or another — he was never dismissive and always generous. And if he felt his own side needed defending, he always did so with intellectual rigor and humility. I’m grateful and honored to count him among my teachers. (And I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop feeling pangs of jealousy for his job title, possibly the best in the field, if not of all time.)
What others have said is true: Jewish education is stronger due to his intellect and thought-leadership, both of which will be missed. I’d only add that his menschlekheit will be missed, too.
Baruch Dayan haEmet.