This Book of Memories memorial website is designed to be a permanent tribute paying tribute to the life and memory of Jonah Berele. It allows family and friends a place to re-visit, interact with each other, share and enhance this tribute for future generations. We are both pleased and proud to provide the Book of Memories to the families of our community.

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"get the important things done"

I traded emails with Jonah on several occasions in the last few years. Twice I sent long update emails after life changes (moving to Madison; moving to Boston) and twice Jonah wrote back, most recently (1/2015) to say that he was planning to buy a condo with the intent of having a place fit for becoming a foster parent. As they do, this email chain sort of petered out and I don't know whether than plan went through.

Though we were only in school together a few years ending in 2000, our prior email exchanges in 2006, 2008, and 2011 covered old classmates, of course; ambiguous and unambiguous femininity; playing gaga in middle school; itchiness of beards; what the social costs are of skipping one or multiple grades; Jonah's time teaching chess and working with blind weavers.

One line stands out from a May 2008 message. Jonah wrote, "I am trying to live my life quickly to ensure that I get the important things done before I die."

Jonah, you touched many with your important work, but you weren't supposed to go this soon.

 

Posted by Gideon Klionsky
Tuesday September 27, 2016 at 1:42 am
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