Remember "Colors From the Zohar"

The list of Rabbi Winston’s writings is not complete without “Colors From the Zohar” (Barah, San Francisco 1976).

In the Introduction he wrote, “...another understanding of the word ‘Zohar’ is ‘illumination’...a technique in calligraphy which places a letter in relief against a beautiful background in such a fashion as to make you see it in a new light. The ZOHAR…works much in the same way. By altering your angle of vision—by illuminating familiar objects and thoughts with new colors—one’s whole style of perception changes to invest old ideas with new dimensions, and to make the familiar startlingly wonderful again!”

You could say that was Rabbi Winston’s life purpose fulfilled in the minds and hearts of his students and friends.

He was a deep thinker and an intellectual sophisticate with the common touch. He also had a warm laugh and a marvelous twinkle in his eye. We will not see his like again any time soon.

Dennis Briskin
Palo Alto

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Jerry

In 1977, my mother was looking for a Rabbi who would perform a Bar Mitzvah for me in Golden Gate Park and of course, found Jerry Winston.  No other Rabbi was willing to perform the ceremony outside of their own synagogue. Jerry became to us what a Rabbi should be; a friend, mentor, spiritual advisor and so much more.  Taking unorthodoxy to a new level, our dogs even had puppies together!  Jerry officiated over several other family ceremonies over the years and although I rarely saw him in later years, his unique spirituality and mysticism left an indelible mark on me.  No matter how much time would go by, whenever I was with Jerry, a feeling of serenity would come over me and I felt as if everything in the world would be just as it should be.
I will always have a very special place in my heart for Jerry and will miss him dearly.  My heart goes out to his family and anyone who was ever close to this wonderful person.  His passing is a loss to all of us who loved him.

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An Interfaith Model

I knew Jerry for 30 years.  We co-officiated at weddings, shared a love of chaplaincy (he was in San Quentin, I was in the Marin County Jail), and a commitment to inclusive communities and creative writing.  His influence opened the way to interfaith work that lasted many years.  I will miss you my friend.

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