A friend, in ways big and small

I am heartbroken over the passing of my dear friend, colleague, and mentor Paul Reichenbach. The dozens of beautiful tributes flowing across social media offer only a glimpse into Paul’s legacy of love, leadership, and humanity. I wish he could see this flood of admiration; and I believe he felt that love in his final days, knowing he truly left the world better than he found it.

We all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Paul’s shoulders were a mountain—a foundation of support, wisdom, love, and deep care for mission, but even more so for people. For all of us.

I first met Paul 33 years ago during my interview at URJ Kutz Camp. His warmth and dedication were unmistakable. His light shined on tens of thousands who came to love Judaism, Israel, and community through his leadership with URJ Youth, NFTY, Kutz, Israel, and Camps. Beyond URJ Camps, he helped plant the seeds for what became the Foundation for Jewish Camp and other philanthropic efforts that strengthened the treasures of Camp, Youth, and Israel.

I’m cherishing every Paul story being shared. My wife Vivien reminded me of one so tender: about 27 years ago at URJ Camp Newman, our firstborn Jonah was sharing the only extra bedroom with Paul. In the middle of the night Jonah woke up crying, and Paul—gentle, half‑asleep, in his tighty whities—picked him up from the crib and walked down the hallway to meet me for the handoff. That was Paul. Present. Loving. Part of our lives in ways big and small.

I found an old email from him from 2010 suggesting Camps create intentional programming around Friendship. How fitting. Long before there was “call Saul,” there was “call Paul.” Like the James Taylor song You’ve Got a Friend, Paul cultivated communities where friendship flourished l’dor v’dor.

His passing on Rosh Hashanah feels profoundly resonant. On Rosh Hashanah we reflect on life—who shall live and who shall die. I think about Paul’s lasting legacy on Life: how much life he created, how many lives he shaped, how deeply he believed in the possibility of each young person.

May Paul’s memory be for a blessing. And may we all take our sadness, love for Paul and use it to more deeply pursue a world of more compassion, meaning, Ruach. With Love.