Berkeley Memorial to Dan Markel

Yesterday, a few of us got together in Berkeley to remember Dan and share stories about how he touched our lives. Some of us knew him from the Harvard days and some of us later, as a professor, a thinker, and mostly--an amazing organizer and community builder.

We spoke fondly on Dan's immense capacity to befriend and connect people, not out of self-interest, but simply because that's who he was. Several of us mentioned his enthusiasm for Jewish gatherings and his commitment to religious tradition. And we spoke fondly of the way he connected his scholarship with his commitment to values.

Some of us told stories of being new or lost in a new environment and having Dan invite them for a meal, introduce them to friends, network to help them.

Some of us spoke of Dan's openness, honesty and vulnerability, and his ability to find a spark and a connection with anyone he met based on real connection from the heart; and of his willingness to share with his many friendsa nd colleagues not only the successful and shiny moments, but also the dark teatime of the soul.

And some of us spoke of hearing Dan lecture and debating scholarship and current events with him, of his intellectual integrity and commitment to values, his ideas, and his elegant and articulate verbal skills.

Like everyone else who knew Dan, we are shocked and horrified by his violent death, and can scarcely believe someone we knew as a colleague and friend met such a terrible end. But we spoke of wanting to remember the Dan we worked with, collaborated with, and joked around with. To remember Dan in life, and to have that overshadow whatever revelations emerge in the aftermath of his death.

Because, if anything, Dan was very, very much alive. And what is remembered, lives.

Much love and many hugs to all of you.