May his memory be for a blessing

Rabbi Yonah Geller

By Shlomo Truzman

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When I first met Rabbi Yonah Geller Z’ZL in January 2004, he impressed me as a visionary scholar and leader.

He said to me, “Rabbi, the future of the Portland Jewish Community lies in its unity regardless of anyone’s religious background or denomination.

“This,” he added, “is the primary task of rabbis, to keep Jews together and unified.”
   
Waiting to hear more wise words from the rabbi I asked, “And where do we look for resources of Jewish unity?” He answered “In Torah and Yiddishkeit, where else?”

   
Indeed, where else? In 39 unrehearsed words Rabbi Geller predicated not only the key to the wellbeing of his beloved Oregon community, but he also alluded to the source of the strength of the past present and future of Am Yisrael of which he was a prodigal and proud son.
   
A wise scholar said, “The unity of mankind is to the Jew an article of faith.”
   
Rabbi Geller lived his years by this article of faith and acted on this principle not just as an article of faith but as a matter of law.
   
Unity among Jews is one of many of his rich legacies we inherited from the late master, and—as it is usually with all substantial bequests—they are to be appreciated and fully enjoyed by the heirs.
   
Happy are we, the heirs of his fatherly legacy, and happier yet if determined to live by it.
   
May Rabbi Yonah Geller’s memory be for a blessing.

Rabbi Shlomo Truzman is a Sephardic rabbi in Portland, associate rabbi at Congregation Shaarie Torah and the rabbi of Beit Yosef Minyon.