Rabbi Vernon H. Kurtz

From the Presidents Desk

[The following remarks were offered at the December ‘04 meeting of the Leadership Council of Conservative Judaism.]

I have been asked at this time to offer a few words of tribute to our colleague and friend and a past president of MERCAZ USA, Roy Clements, of blessed memory, who passed away at the end of November. Roy was an effective lay leader, a Shul Jew, a passionate advocate for our Movement around the world, a friend to many, whether they be lay people or Rabbis, and a beloved husband, father and grandfather.

My colleague, Rabbi Gerald Skolnik, who serves as the spiritual leader at the Forest Hills Jewish Center where Roy and his wife Pauline were members for so many years, said in his eulogy that “Roy had an abiding love of Judaism and all things Jewish, a powerful commitment to Jewish life and observance, a passionate love and appreciation of both the idea and reality of the State of Israel, and an old-world elegance and dignity.”

To see Roy operate in the halls of the Va’ad HaPoel of the World Zionist Organization or the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency was to see a master at work. He understood the intricacies of these very bureaucratic organizations and used his mind, his passion for the Conservative/Masorti Movement and deep commitment to Jewish values and ideals to advance our cause.

Among his many leadership positions, Roy served as President of the Forest Hills Jewish Center, President of the New York Metropolitan Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, was International Vice-President of USCJ, a member of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards, and, from 1993 to 1998, President of MERCAZ USA.

For the last seven years, 1997-2004, Roy served as President of MERCAZ Olami. He was deeply devoted to enhancing our Movement throughout the world. Our Movement received tens of millions of dollars because of his work and his leadership. He was our chief interlocutor with the powers that be in the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency and always gained the highest respect of those who agreed with him and even of those who disagreed with him.

We have all lost a friend, we have lost a colleague, but we are blessed to have known him and worked with him. May his memory be for a blessing!

Roy Clements z"l