Neil Gandler's Memorial Fund

UPDATE from Ella Gotesman:

Ephraim, Josh, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who donated to Neil's Memorial Fund, and also thank the 175+ attendees who came to Neil's Memorial Service that we organized in Burlingame on January 10th. We were incredibly moved by the amazing show of support and solidarity by Neil's friends, who came together from near and far to share their love and memories of our beloved friend Neil.

Our fundraiser is drawing to an end, and we are about to withdraw the funds. We have raised a total of $6700 between this GoFundMe and the tzedakkah boxes at the Memorial Service, and we wanted to show everyone how these funds will be spent:

$4100 will be spent on paying the expenses of the Memorial Service, which included the venue fee and insurance, snack foods, drinks, disposable plates, cutlery, and professionally catered kosher food for 150+ people, flower bouquets, tissue boxes, program printouts, and 100 yahrzeit candles. It also includes 4 large beautiful portaits of Neil, and a memorial book that everyone at the Memorial Service signed. The portraits and memorial book will be shipped to Neil's family as a lasting tribute of how deeply loved Neil was by his many friends.

The remainder $2600 will be split among various charities which Neil deeply cherished. The largest distribution of money will go to the Jewish Study Network, with whom Rabbi Joey Felsen (who gave a very beautiful speech at the Service) is affiliated, and who studied with Neil for many years. The second largest distribution of money will go to the Jewish Palestinian Living Room Dialogue Group led by Libby and Len Traubman, with whom Neil frequently came to have meaningful heartfelt conversation for well over a decade.

We are still working with Neil's family to determine two additional charities, and the exact amounts of money that will go to each one. Once we have the figures worked out, we will post them here.

Thank you again for all of your time and support.

Regards,

Ella, Ephraim, and Josh

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It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we must say goodbye to a very beloved person. Our dear friend, Neil Brian Gandler, has passed away at age 42.

Neil has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1997, and has touched many hearts with his kindness, humor, and warm spirit. He was a devoted son, an intellectual powerhouse, a biking enthusiast, and a connoisseur of foods. But most of all, he was a loving and loyal friend, supporting you through thick or thin. He was taken from us, far too soon.

We set up this page to raise funds for two purposes:

1:  For Neil's Bay Area Memorial Service, where we will honor Neil's memory and celebrate his generous spirit. This will fund the venue, food, yahrzeit candles, flowers, photos, religious donations, and other assorted expenses.

2:  We will make charitable donations in Neil's name. We are working closely with his family, and will determine the charities that Neil would have been proud to be associated with.

However much you feel you can donate, will be highly appreciated during this tragically difficult time. Neil's family has told us that it brings them much comfort to see that Neil was loved by so many.

Neil, you will live forever in our hearts and memories. Baruch dayan ha-emet.