Dana Anesi
NFTY National Board Institute, 1972. Dana Anesi places this group photograph at Kutz Camp in July 1972 and identifies Paul in the front row. Shared by Dana Anesi; photographer unknown.
The Reichenbach Family Archive
Remembering Paul J. Reichenbach
11 January 1952 — 13 September 2026
He built Jewish life with teenagers, at camp and in Israel.
From Dolph
Today I had the impossible privilege of eulogizing my dad.
What I didn’t say in front of everyone is that caring for you, Dad, as you got sicker and sicker—and then caring for your body after you left us—was both the greatest challenge and the truest blessing I have ever known.
I will miss you so very much.
Be with us. We need you.
— Rabbi Daniel Dolph Reichenbach, Paul’s son
Read my eulogyShare a memory of Paul
A photograph, a video, or a few words. No account needed.
Share a memory, photo, or videoContinue in this tab to the archive’s private contribution form at memories.reichenbacharchive.org. There you can add your memory or files, choose how the family may use them, and send them privately. Nothing is sent until you choose “Send to the family.”
Dolph is Rabbi Daniel Reichenbach, Paul’s son. He reviews everything before anything is public. Family-only is the default; public sharing requires your permission and family approval.
Memories of Paul
Shared by family, friends and colleagues. Each introduction opens the contributor’s full memory and any photographs on a separate page. Use Back to return to this list.
Topics follow the places and programs named in each contribution. Some memories appear in more than one topic; all remain available under All memories.
25 memories shown
Read the full contribution
Debbie Eberlin
Debbie Eberlin remembers Paul as a fixture at Kutz, with a booming voice she never forgot. Her photographs from the 2019 alumni weekend preserve a welcome sign, Pagoda Jacob and Paul at services.
Deborah Slavkin Faust
Deborah Slavkin Faust remembers Paul reassuring families at JFK Airport in August 2017 as her son left for URJ Heller High—and asking the students to welcome those joining the journey later.
Diana Varon Nicastro
Diana Varon Nicastro remembers Paul’s humor, kindness and understanding of people: “He was always there to listen, help and offered encouraging words to people to help them find their way.”
Hope Chernak
Hope Chernak remembers a mentor who became a friend and father figure. Whenever they met, Paul asked about her mother and brother. “He cared deeply about relationships.”
Jane E. Herman
Jane E. Herman remembers Paul’s efforts to find her missing suitcase while she chaperoned a NFTY trip in 2007—and her surprise, years later, to learn that “VOG” was not a title reserved for him.
Jill Peltzman
Jill Peltzman shares three portraits of Paul, dated January 2014 and January 2015, and remembers him as “one of the most special people I have had the honor of knowing at the URJ, or anywhere.”
Joui Hessel
Joui Hessel remembers working for Paul as an intern while she was a rabbinical student in New York: “Under his tutelage, I learned how to organize bus groups, schlep kids across Israel and even learn flights to and from Israel.” She also remembers his devotion to the people closest to him: “Family and friends (who became family) were everything to him.” — Joui Hessel, recollection contributed September 14, 2026. The internship and other events described are undated.
Lauren Fixler Velazquez
At Kutz, Paul taught Lauren Fixler Velazquez the details of dining-room work, then trusted her to run a weekend for a visiting group. “He trusted me to do it and I did,” she recalls.
Lester Polonsky
Lester Polonsky shares a photograph from his senior prom at Malden High School in June 1969. His accompanying note identifies Paul, Paul’s date Caryn Gordon, and Lester among the group.
Marc D Israel
Marc D Israel recalls learning of his grandfather’s death while leading a NFTY trip in Israel in 1995. Before the call ended, Paul had arranged his journey home. “That was Paul.”
Mark Pelabin
Mark Pelabin remembers Paul’s calm leadership during a camp emergency and his work bringing young people out of Israel during fighting. His tribute also reflects on Paul’s example as a Jewish leader and teacher.
Michael Swit
Michael Swit remembers photographing his boss, mentor and friend at Swit’s desk during the summer of 1977 at Kutz. His later caption: “Paul, get out of my desk!”
Nicole Berne
Nicole Berne remembers Paul welcoming her as a cousin at Camp Newman, staying in touch through rabbinical school, and helping her reconnect with family history. He helped her feel “known and seen as a professional.”
Paul Kipnes
Rabbi Paul Kipnes reflects on the grief of losing a mentor who witnessed who you were becoming. “PJR handed us microphones before we trusted our own voices,” he writes in his memorial to Paul.
Rabbi Daniel Dolph Reichenbach
Rabbi Daniel Dolph Reichenbach remembers his father’s steady presence, kindness and love. His eulogy, “You were always there,” follows a personal note written after delivering it.
Rabbi David S. Widzer
Rabbi David S. Widzer remembers Paul welcoming him to Kutz in 1990, encouraging his ideas for Jewish college life, and helping generations of young people become leaders. His tribute also recalls Paul’s unmistakable voice.
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin reflects on a long friendship and Paul’s influence on generations of Jewish young people. His complete essay follows that influence through camps, Israel journeys and mentorship.
Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk
Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk remembers meeting Paul at Kutz as a child, learning his airport instructions, and imitating his unmistakable voice. His tribute asks what it means to follow Paul’s example in caring for young people.
Rachel Alemany
Recalling her summer at Kutz in 1980, Rachel Alemany writes: “You see, there was no need for me to go home as I already was home.” She remembers staying through both Academy sessions and then working in the camp office, where Paul urged her to answer the phones and stop dancing around the room. “That summer opened up the world of Reform Judaism and the idea that I could find my Judaism wherever I was.” Alemany shared this recollection in September 2026.
Richard Nepon
Richard Nepon, who dates his first time at Kutz to 1967, remembers returning in several roles and spending time with Paul before camp opened for the season: “my whole family went up to camp to open up for the season.” Reflecting on Paul’s work, he writes: “To follow your passion is a blessing that Paul was granted.” — Richard Nepon, recollection contributed September 14, 2026. The pre-season visits are undated.
Ruben Arquilevich
Ruben Arquilevich remembers Paul as a friend, colleague and mentor—from an interview at Kutz to a tender family moment at Camp Newman. His tribute traces the friendships Paul nurtured across Jewish camping and youth work.
Scott Brockman
Scott Brockman remembers working for Paul at Kutz and NFTY in Israel: his calm in a crisis, his moral center, and the example that made Paul “one of my rabbis.”
Shayna Warner
When Shayna Warner was engaged to a soon-to-be-ordained cantor, Paul gave her a title: “Chazzanette.” She remembers how he helped her enter that new chapter with confidence.
Stefani
Stefani remembers a friendship that could resume after years apart, Paul’s care for young people, and the extra sparkle in his eyes when he spoke about his own children and grandchildren.