Jordan was never just “Jordan.”
He was everyone’s best friend, everyone’s uncle, everyone’s brother, and the truth is, everyone’s mother.
Including mine.
I came to Solomon Schecter in third grade and when I came to Schechter, I had to repeat third grade because I had all types of learning issues. It was hard. It’s hard not to be “normal” whatever that means.
But Jordan was there. He was my best friend right away. And he embraced me right away and always made me feel loved and included. And Jordan’s done that his whole life. It doesn't matter who you are, what you’ve done, Jordan would love you, be there for you, and help you become the best version of yourself.
That’s the impact Jordan had on my life, and all of our lives. Even if you knew him for a weekend, a summer, a year: your life was richer, and it was infinitely better.
Jordan’s a blessing, a mensch, a tzaddik. You need to turn to Yiddish to describe Jordan. How many people do you know in the twenty-first century that you need to turn to Yiddish to describe?
To describe Jordan is also to create a new vocabulary and new acronym.
WWJD
For Christians, WWJD means What Would Jesus Do?
But for those of us who have been blessed to know Jordan, WWJD means, What Would Jordan Do? And the answer is always the right thing, the mensche thing, the loving thing.
Every good decision I made in my life was because of Jordan. From early on when I was in third grade until recently when Jordan said: you have to send your kids to Schechter. He always steered us all in the right direction and he was everyone’s rudder.
Jordan didn’t make friends; he made family. Everywhere and always.
I say Jordan was my best friend and my brother. But everyone I’ve ever met says the same thing. Whoever knew Jordan says Jordan’s my best friend. Jordan’s my family. He found time and made time for everyone. I think secretly he must have had 100 lives because I don’t know how he did it, but he did.
Jordan planned everyone’s birthday party, every simcha, he was always planning Shabbat, cooking, giving gifts, making sure he always snuck snacks to your kids. . . he lived for others. He lived to bring more love into the world and to make the world a place with more love, kindness, and laughter.
Jordan took care of all of us. He was always there for all of us.
WWJD.
What Would Jordan Do.
Today: Jordan would want us to support an institution that was at the central to his life: Solomon Schechter. Jordan believed in and loved Jewish education. So, in Jordan’s blessed memory, let’s give the gift that enables so many friendships to flourish; so many mensches to be developed; and so much love to be cultivated for Jewish learning and Jewish community.
Jordan’s memory and spirit lives in Solomon Schechter, a place that gives kids roots in their rich tradition, and the wings to go anywhere.
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