Editor:

I was saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Gideon Kaufman. (“ Aspen resident dies from bicycle crash on Castle Creek ,” Oct. 27, Aspen Daily News). Gideon — an attorney, a skier/athlete, a father, a (lay) rabbi, a teacher, an adviser and a community icon — was a true Mensh. He was the kindest, most honorable and most welcoming person I have ever met, and I (like many others) would not be where I am without him. Aspen has lost a legend, and he will be missed.

It was about five decades ago that Gideon arrived in Aspen. As a 13-year-old boy in the late 1970s, he taught me Hebrew and led my bar mitzvah. He would later lead the funeral of my father and preside over the wedding of my sister and her husband. For many years, he would conduct Jewish services in Aspen and every hig

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