The membership of Central Conference of American Rabbis is devastated to learn of the tragic and untimely death of our friend, colleague, teacher, and leader, Rabbi Aaron Panken. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Lisa Messinger, his children Eli and Samantha, his parents, his sister Rabbi Melinda Panken and her family, and the Messinger family. Reform rabbis grieve alongside the Reform Movement and the entire Jewish world. We turn to each other in sorrow on this the eve of the ordination of new rabbis and cantors, as we extend our concern and support to the whole Reform Movement family including the HUC-JIR community, students, faculty, board, and alumni. Please read the full statement from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute (HUC-JIR).