(On October 15, 2021, Tara Roesler, Past President of ASURA, asked that the following email she had received from ASU Hillel Rabbi Debbie Yunker Kail informing her of Rabbi Barton Lee’s passing, be sent to the ASURA membership.)



We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Rabbi Emeritus Barton Lee. We extend our deepest condolences to his entire family during this time and as they navigate the moments ahead.



Rabbi Lee holds a special place in so many of our hearts and influenced countless Jewish stories and journeys over his 42 years working here at Hillel. He was our first full-time professional staff member, and he made Hillel a home for thousands of students. Throughout the changing campus climate, current events, and the growth of ASU, Hillel was a stable support system and place for learning, friendship, and Jewish celebration because Rabbi Lee made it so.



His special gift of listening ensured that whoever was in front of him felt like the most important person in the world, and to Rabbi Lee, they were just that.



On a personal note, I have always been deeply grateful to Rabbi Lee for how he welcomed me to Hillel and to our community in 2013. He spent significant time orienting me and helping me connect with key friends of Hillel, and he celebrated with me as Hillel continued to grow. I enjoyed connecting to and learning from each other over lunches at Byblos and even a ride or two on his golf cart.



Rabbi Lee was also a beloved member of the ASU community, building connections across faith communities and teaching courses on American Jewish History and American Judaism at the Department of Religious Studies and the Department of History at ASU, which are now part of the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.



We know that Rabbi Lee touched so many lives. As such, Hillel at ASU created a form for people to share thoughts, memories, and photos of Rabbi Lee. We will compile everything collected and share it all with his family at a later date.

If you have already posted a memory of Facebook, feel free to drop it in our form too.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Yunker Kail, Executive Director: debbie@hillelasu.org

(Source: Debbie Yunker Kail, Executive Director, via Tara Roesler, Past President, ASURA)