Rabbi Evan A. Jaffe

Date of Death: August 12, 2015

service

Flemington Jewish Community Center

Flemington Jewish Community Cemetery

67 Capner Street

Flemington, NJ 08822

It is with heavy hearts that the Wright & Ford family share the following announcement from Rabbi Jaffe’s family, followed by the formal obituary. Please call 908.782.3311 should you have any additional questions. The letter and obituary follow below the updated Shiva Information:

Shiva minyans for Rabbi Evan A Jaffe will be held at the synagogue at the
following times:

•Shabbat afternoon (8/15): 7:30 PM
◦Mincha, Ma’ariv, and Havdalah

•Sunday morning (8/16): 9:00 AM

•Sunday through Wednesday evenings (8/16 – 8/19): 7:30 PM
•Monday through Thursday mornings (8/17 – 8/20): 7:00 AM

The family will receive guests at their home, 51 Coppermine Village,
Flemington, during the daytime hours.

________________________________________________________________________________

Dear family and friends,

It is with deepest sadness and sorrow that we inform all of you that this morning our husband, father, rabbi, friend and mentor passed away.

While for a time he seemed to improve in the ICU, due to the exceptional care of the nursing staff and doctors of UPenn medical facility; unfortunately, the past couple of days were a struggle, and he succumbed to the disease. While his body struggled, his brilliant mind stayed strong, brave, kind, and even humorous all the way till the end.

He was an inspiration to all of his doctors and nurses — they loved him even for the short time he was with them.

Funeral services will take place Friday, August 14, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Flemington Jewish Community Center, 5 Sergeantsville Road, Flemington, NJ under the joint-direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home and Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in the Flemington Jewish Community Cemetery, Capner Street, Flemington, NJ.

As is traditional in the Jewish faith, the Rabbi would not want flowers. Instead, please consider a donation to the Flemington Jewish Community Center, HIOC, or Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One.

We are so heartbroken to announce this news. He was an incredible man with a spirit and soul that were always selfless, always kind, forever patient, with love for everyone.
May his memory be for a blessing.

Thank you,
Phyllis, Jordana and Atara Jaffe

____________________________________

Rabbi Evan A. Jaffe, died Wednesday August 12, 2015 at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA, he was 62. Born in Baltimore, MD, son of the late Marvin and Carolyn Moranz Jaffe, he had resided in Flemington since 1987, and formerly resided in New York City.

Rabbi Jaffe was a graduate of Columbia University and received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and graduated from the Jewish Theological Seminary, in New York City. Evan was the Rabbi at the Flemington Jewish Community Center (FJCC) since 1987. At one time, he was a professional ballet dancer in New York for seven years.

Active in community activities for nearly 30 years, he was the Chaplain at Hunterdon Developmental Center, in Clinton, NJ and the Greenbrook Regional Center, in Greenbrook NJ. He was the President of the Hunterdon Interfaith Outreach Council, former President of the Women’s Crisis Center in Flemington, was an active participant with the Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One in Hunterdon County and Meals on Wheels of Hunterdon County, and was a volunteer at the Edna Mahon Correctional Facility in Clinton, NJ. He was also the founder of the O.P.E.N. Road of Flemington, which facilitates the transportation for the developmentally disabled and the homebound elderly to places of worship. He was also very active in the Matheny School and Hospital in Peapack, NJ.

During his tenure at the FJCC, he oversaw the growth of the community center and was selected by The Forward magazine “as one of the 33 most inspirational Rabbi’s in the US.”

Rabbi Jaffe is survived by his wife of 33 years, Phyllis Lerner, two daughters, Atara Jaffe of Vacaville, CA, and Jordana Jaffe of Hoboken, NJ, and a sister, Mindy Jaffe of Honolulu HI.

As is traditional in the Jewish faith, the Rabbi would not want flowers. Instead, please consider a donation to the Flemington Jewish Community Center, 5 Sergeantsville Road, Flemington NJ 08822, the Hunterdon Interfaith Outreach Council, at the same address, or Volunteer Guardianship One-on-One, 188 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Flemington Jewish Community Center

Flemington Jewish Community Cemetery

67 Capner Street

Flemington, NJ 08822

Map

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May The Rabbi rest in Gods peace.

We have only just heard. So sorry Phyllis and family. I have been unable to email Phyllis hence this message. I have told my cousin Cathy about Rabbi Evans passing. Cannot tell you how sorry I am. Isabella & Michael (from England) 9th December, 2015

My sincerest condolences to family and friends

Rabbi Jaffe will forever be in our hearts. He performed my parent's (Leo and Paulette Nemeth) funerals, he performed my marriage, briss of my sons and has always been there for entire family including my sister and brother. He was an amazing and wonderful man with a kind heart. We will cherish Rabbi Jaffee forever. Our deepest condolences to his family.

My wife and I were privileged to know Evan through his sister-in-law and her husband, and were always pleased to see him at family events, at several of which he officiated. I enjoyed our talks where my philosophical background sometimes collided with his in religion, but no matter what argument I advanced to challenge his, Evan always responded with respect, humor and wisdom. I am profoundly moved to read in the reporting of his passing the impact Evan had on so many lives, and as we offer our deepest condolences to his family, realize how fortunate we all are to have known this true mensch.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Such heartbreaking news. I have the most amazing memories of Rabbi Jaffe. He was so inspirational and kind. It is with a heavy heart that I'm sending love to Phyllis and the girls. What a loss.

So sorry to hear of the passing of this kind man, Rabbi Jaffe.

Thank you for so graciously accepting me into the FJCC community when I moved to the East Coast to marry Judy snd for officiating at our wedding. You have been a true friend and wll be missed by all.

A truly profound loss, of a remarkably compassionate, humble, and selfless mensch. We are truly in gratitude for the opportunity to have had him in our lives as our Rabbi, mentor, and friend. We wish the family strength and solice at this unfathomably challenging time. May his light continue to shine through

No one has or will ever do so much or mean so much to my family as Evan has; Spiritually, emotionally, religiously and intellectually. He has left a huge hole in our lives and in the universe which will never be replaced. He was a true human- not just a teacher and a leader, but was a real person. His last words to me a few weeks ago were about his daughters and their support. He said, "you know they love you , but being there for me, now,when i need them, Is proof." Thank you for sharing Evan with us. Our lives are so much richer. But will never be the same. Our deepest condolences.

Absolutely devastated by this news. Rabbi Jaffe was a mensch's mensch, a terrific spiritual leader, and an outstanding voice for Conservative/Masorti Judaism. When our rabbi left many years ago, we tried to lure him away. There wasn't enough explosive power on the planet to make that happen. We wish him a likhtekhe Gan Eden. To his family, congregation and friends we say: May his memory be for a blessing.

I am so sorry - Phyllis - to hear this news. I hope to G-d you and your family can heal and continue his legacy...

So sorry to hear of his passing.

My condolences to the Jaffe family and the FJCC community in general.

EVAN HAS LEFT US, ALBEIT TOO SOON,BUT HAS HAS LEFT US WITH A LEGACY AND GOOD NAME(CHARACTER) THAT TEACHES US HOW TO BE BETTER HUMAN BEINGS.WE THANK HIM FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP AND FOR BEING PART OF OUR LIFE'S EVENTS GOING BACK TO HIS FIRST DAYS AT THE FJCC.MAY PHYLISS,JORDANA, AND TARI FIND COMFORT IN FOND MEMORIES.

The world has lost a great man, a gentle and patient soul who could always make you smile. You will forever be missed by the staff and clients of Hunterdon Developemental Center.

Rabbi Jaffe was a kind soul and contributed greatly to the community. He helped me both in applying for college and with the loss of my grandmother. I am eternally grateful to have known him and he will be greatly missed.

I am so sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a great man and will be sadly missed.

Please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of Rabbi Jaffe. He was an extraordinary man. He treated everyone with respect and dignity. We feel privileged to have known him. We will morn deeply his passing as his was a life of service, love, compassion and caring. May he rest in peace. With much love and sympathy, Marc S. Jeffries & the Staff of Comfort Keepers

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Rabbi Jaffe was a wonderful man, a great teacher and an exuberant man of God. Unknowingly to him Rabbi Jaffe bridged a deep gap in my relationship with God and the understanding of my fellow Hebrew family and friends during a critical time in my recent past. He did it with an amazing grace and deep respect. I am deeply saddened and he will be greatly missed.

Dear Phyllis, JJ, and Tari There are no words. Evan's influence on my life, my family, and the community will always keep his memory alive. He was an extraordinary gift to us all. May his memory be for a blessing.

Rabbi Jaffe welcomed us to New Jersey, in 1996. He oversaw the Bat Mirzvah of our daughter Amanda, now soon to be the mother of four, B"H". He guided Michael through the beginnings of his bal teshuvah, in 2002, and gracefully handed our family's religious needs over to Chabad Rabbi Eli Kornfeld, without ever losing touch and fondness for us. Evan was such a mensch, a brilliant teacher, a patient spiritual leader, a totally committed husband and madly proud father. The community has lost him too soon, and all of us are diminished by his passing. May his family be comforted by these words and those of every other person who knew him.

My deepest condolences to Rabbi Jaffe family. His unselfish nature will be felt by all. I am so glad I was able to know him through Volunteer Guardianship one on one.

Rabbi was my support during the first few months at the Hunterdon County Historical Society. He donated, prayed over and shared a menorrah in the front window. The placing of this menorah was so antagonistic to theboard that I quit my position as Director. Life without Rabbi all the Rabbi provided will show all how much he contributed.

We are heartbroken by this sad news of Evans passing and will miss his influence in our lives tremendously. Our heart goes out to you and we are Very sorry that we will still be in Oregon on Friday so cannot attend his funeral. Hold fast to the many happy memories that you have. Lisa and Sy, Abbey and Becca

I am so deeply saddened by Rabbi Evan Jaffe's passing. I counted him as a dear friend and his love for people and the community in which he lived was a constant inspiration to me. His beautiful and thoughtful spirit will be greatly missed. His family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

My deepest sympathies to you all.

My heartfelt condolences to your family and the wider Flemington community. Rabbi Jaffe was a force for good and social justice and peace. We are here to pick up the work where he left off. Peace, Michael

I am truly shocked by the news of Rabbi Jaffe's death. Even though I have not seen him in a very long time, I still remember how special he made the services for me as a child. He was a very selfless individual who never judged. The world has lost a great man. My condolences to the entire Jaffe family.

So sad to see such a sweet man gone, he did so much for all, he will for sure missed but now he is not suffering and has found his place! Thank you for all you have done for our young people. I knew him through the Middle School in Flemington.

It was with great shock that I read the notice of Rabbi Jaffe's passing. We remember our years in Flemington and at the FJCC so well.

Rabbi Jaffe was a wonderful man and we feel privileged to have known him since our move to Flemington. Sincere condolences to his family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

I met Rabbi Jaffe in 1994 at the Hunterdon Developmental Center. For several years after that, we led worship services together and worked to get some residents off the grounds into local congregations. In 1996 5 residents were bar/bat mitzvahed in his temple. He never believed that something couldn't be done. He will be missed.

I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of such a beautiful man..inside and out. I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the time he gave to my family, especially my mother Ruth and father Manny. Rabbi Jaffe will always be in our hearts.

I was so terribly saddened to learn of the passing of your Husband and father. The legacy he has left behind has touched so many hearts words fall short and cannot express the sadness I feel for his passing. You have my deepest sympathies for your tragic loss.

I met Rabbi Jaffe at the Hunterdon Developmental and have wonderful memories of the way he worked with and communicated with the residents of the center. I enjoyed attending services and participating in special events at the center. I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the news of Rabbi Jaffe's passing. He will be forever missed by all. My deepest sympathy to the family and to the Flemington community for this tragic loss.

I am so sad about the passing of my dear friend, Rabbi Jaffe. I enjoyed all the times that he came to visit me and my friends at the Hunterdon Developmental Center. We will miss him so much.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Rabbi Jaffe's passing. He was so caring to the clients of the Hunterdon Developmental Center and they anticipated his visits for services and special holidays and festivals. He always was able to encourage participation even with just a 'hi five', blowing out candles, or having the residents recite the last words of a blessing. Rabbi Jaffe welcomed the residents of the Center into the synagogue for Shabbat Services and other holidays which meant so much to them. My son Jimmy, although unable to speak, became a Bar Mitzvah at the Flemington Jewish Community Center. This was amazing because Jimmy cannot speak and he 'recited' his part by holding huge cards with the prayers written on them. Only Rabbi Jaffe could accomplish this amazing event. Rabbi Jaffe also traveled a distance to officiate at my mother's funeral which meant so much to my family. My prayers and condolences go out to the Jaffe family. Rabbi Jaffe was a wonderful and caring man and he will be missed by all.

We were so blessed to know him and your family. Our hearts are broken. It was always so joyful to see him walking in the mornings. The kids adored him. We all adored him. It was an honor to know him all these years. We love you all Phyllis, Jordana and Atara.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Rabbi Jaffe was a great man and leader of our community. He will be deeply missed and my prayers are with your family.

Phyllis and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I attended the Volunteer Guardianship dinner that honored Rabbi Jaffe, he was a wonderful person and inspiration to many. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Kathleen

To the family and friends of Rabbi Jaffe, I am sincerely sorry for your loss. I am a music therapist at the Matheny Medical & Edicational Center, and for the past several years had the humbling opportunity to work with Rabbi Jaffe. He was an individual who cared deeply and had such a love for life which was easily visible. He introduced me to the musical traditions of the Jewish faith and I am forever grateful for being able to have learned from and provide the musical accompaniment during his services at our center. He will be greatly missed.

My thoughts are with everyone in your family

How very sad. Rabbi Jaffe will be missed by so many. He was a friend of ours and always managed to make us smile, no matter what. His taste in books was impressive and we often talked of those books to share with others. Our thoughts are with all of Rabbi Jaffe's loves ones.

I am shocked and saddened to learn of the rabbi's passing. We at the developmental center will miss him greatly.

Dear Phyllis, Jordana and Atara, our family shares our deepest sympathy for your loss...truly one of the BEST men I have encountered in my life and the wonderful family around him. We will miss hm so deeply

My deepest condolences to the Jaffe family and FJCC community. Rabbi Jaffe was an amazing man with a heart of gold. I will always treasure my memories of him.

i came to know Rabbi through Volunteer Guardianship. I witnessed some of the lives he touched, his humbleness, his Can Do attitude, his dedication and his wonderful spirit. I am blessed to have known him. My deepest condolences to his lovely wife and daughters.

I extend the deepest sympathies to you and your family at this time. I had the opportunity of sitting in several classes taught by Rabbi Jaffe in the past; and met with him several times he was considering running for elective office. He had all the qualities that make an outstanding community leader – passion,and most importantly a sense of humor.

Phyllis, JJ, and Tari. Thank you for sharing you husband and father with the community. For the past 16 years I would walk into his office and ask him what's up. We would have our daily chats which I will continue to have from a different level. rest in peace my dear friend. you will always be in out hearts. Lori

My sincerest condolences to Rabbi Jaffe's family, friends, colleagues and community. The rabbi saw me through the toughest of times these last few months, and I will forever be grateful for his guidance and his friendship. He was amazed that I continued to keep my sense of humor through more trials and tribulations than one can imagine...and I'm gladdened to read that he kept his sense of humor till the end. I last saw him on Shavuot when he gave me an aliyah...my first ever in my 62 years...as I was raised Orthodox. I will treasure that honor, but more importantly I will hold Rabbi Jaffe's kindness and selflessness in my memory forever. He was a blessing to everyone, Jew, non-Jew, young or older. May his memory be for a blessing.

My heart breaks as the news came early this morning that a dear friend and mentor would not be with us by sunset. I am grateful for having known him and will be forever indebted to him for his friendship, guidance and wisdom over the years. May his memory be eternal. Evan, as you shine down from heaven, I hope your humble nature realizes the impact that you have made on so many in such a great way. I will miss you but know you are guiding from a different height right now. With love and respect, D.J.

So very sorry to hear about Evan. He was a truly great man. Jeff Komaiko

I extend my most heartfelt condolences to Phyllis, Jordana, and Atara. I have known few people who have touched so many lives and who have served so well as a role model and friend. His commitment to his community was 100 percent, and he served his community with joy that lightened all our hearts. In my memory, he will live always as a teacher and as an inspiration.

May his light continue to shine in and through each of us, for it touched circles and communities in so many wonderful ways. One is tempted to say, "Evan, we hardly knew you!" There was so much of G-d's image and spirit in him.

I will take the loss of Rabbi Jaffe very deeply, and very personally. I am not Jewish, and not a member of the congregation. But Evan was a member of my community anyway; a good soul, a fine man, and - no lie - a force of good in my universe. I liked him, and listened intently the occasional times I sat in temple with my friends. He meant a great deal to friends who mean a great deal to me. I feel this loss. My best to his family.

Our sincerest sympathies go out to each and every member of Rabbi's family. There are no words to express our profound sadness at the loss of this great man. We will forever cherish our friendship and his wisdom shown over the years. Please know that the trust placed in our family by your family is not lost on us; we are here for each of you anytime, so do not hesitate to contact us at 908.782.3311. Respectfully, D.J. Wright Owner & Executive Director

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.