Yoram Getzler died  in Jerusalem on February 23rd, 2013.

Below are some reflections from friends and family. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.- JL

Dear brothers and sisters,

I was very knocked over and grieved by Yoram Getzler’s intense illness and swift passing, Olov HaShalom.

He was a dear and feisty man, and someone I always looked forward to seeing at each Kallah. I also was the beneficiary, like many of us in Renewal, of his generous time and guided tours to cool, unique, musical, culinary and holy places in Jerusalem.

I remember him taking me to the Breslover Shul in Meah Shearim, for a memorable Kabbalat Shabbat, us in our all white Renewal clothes, happily singing Lecha Dodi in a sea of black hats.

I remember sharing Jerusalem Tofu, which he had helped make, in Simcha’s kitchen at Moshav Aminadav. I remember his love of music, his disdain for corruption in politics, his easy laughter, and his insider’s sense of what could bring Peace to Israel. His e-mail address was “RenewJew”, and for a long time, he was the the main kesher and lightening rod for all of us in Eretz Yisrael.

I miss him deeply, and hope we can add our efforts and Kavanot to what he began, as a rebel messenger of harmony and playfulness, in an often dark Israeli landscape.

May his family and friends be comforted by each other, and by very wonderful memories, of Yoram as a “comrade in arms”, a father, a gadfly and a true mensch.
With Blessings and Tears,

Reb Ya’acov Gabriel

On February 21, 2006, Yoram Getzler put on the Internet his very first podcast, where he shared his life story and his passion for the land where he was born and the people who share that land with him. Below are notes on his life sent by his beloved family.

Life Story:
Yoram was born in Petach Tikva, moved to New York, was at the institute for youth leaders from abroad in Jerusalem, worked as a cowboy in a Kibbutz in the Negev in 1957, got a degree from the USC
School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, lived on a 40 acre farm near Hotchkiss in Delta County, Colorado, came back to Israel in the early 80s, and worked for the English Dept at the Voice of Israel.

Listen or download his Life Story at http://israelseen.com/shows/show1.mp3

His Favorite Music
On April 6, 2006, Yoram shared with the world his passion for music, and especially for the very unique music played by a very select group a musicians who he so generously supported and worked so hard so the world could hear them. He produced a CD called Niggun, Nishama, Haftaah, where he presented arrangements of Traditional Hebrew/Jewish melodies from Israel and the Diaspora. The CD included some wonderful surprises, variations and personal expressions of popular “niggunim” and unique orchestrated renditions of sacred chants.

Listen or download his favorite music at http://israelseen.com/shows/1stmusicprogram.mp3

His Writings
Yoram, a very prolific writer and inspiring speaker,  has traveled the world to share his very unique vision for a just, viable, sustainable peace  between the “river (Jordan) and the sea
(Mediterranean)”, in the land where he was born. He truly feels/thinks/envisions that it would be wonderful if we all were able to contribute to humankind with our full creative abilities. Yoram
studied film, lived in the wilderness, ran a farm, founded a Waldorf school for his children, was instrumental in founding the Jewish Renewal Movement in Israel, produced a CD of Original Israeli ethnic music, supported and promoted artists who shared the rich heritage of the Holy land and worked at a radio station. IMHO, he had more “letters to the editor” published in the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz, then all other “letters to the editor” submitters combined.

Here are some of the latest articles that he penned.

Oslo Accords Died with Arafat
December 25, 2012
http://israelseen.com/2012/12/25/oslo-accords-died-with-arafat/

THE WINDMILL SHOULD TURN TO OUR ADVANTAGE
December 03, 2012
http://israelseen.com/2012/12/03/the-windmill-should-turn-to-our-advantage/

Eight Days On
December 01, 2012
http://israelseen.com/2012/12/01/eight-days-on/

ITS THE DEMOGRAPHY, STUPID
November 28, 2012
http://israelseen.com/2012/11/28/its-the-demography-stupid/

Yoram on Avrum and the Binding of Issac – Akaida
October 23, 2012
http://israelseen.com/2012/10/23/yoram-on-avrum-and-the-binding-of-issac-akaida/

You may also do a search on http://israelseen.com/ for other articles,
podcasts etc. that he shared over the years. Here are some samples of his letters to the editor and responses to articles
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=16851
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=3532
http://www.jpost.com/LandedPages/PrintArticle.aspx?id=11512
http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Letters/Article.aspx?id=26198
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/letters-to-the-editor-1.104202
http://www.haaretz.com/letters-to-the-editor-1.264160
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3878505,00.html
http://blogs.reuters.com/bernddebusmann/2011/02/21/who-is-the-superpower-america-or-israel/
http://www.theaugeanstables.com/2007/01/09/silence-of-the-left-human-rights-complex-take-357892/

Before he launched Israel Seen (2006), he posted his messages (2004-2006)to  http://yoramgetzler.blogspot.co.il/

In 2007, he posted the articles he wanted to share with the world and his comments at http://israelleftright.blogspot.co.il/

His Vision
In  December 2011 Yoram Keynoted at the Best Plans Conference where he shared his vision (A Road to Reconciliation) for the future of the Middle East.

You may watch it here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbwvsRASA0o

Sharing

You may share your thoughts at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/yoram-getzler