Rabbi Kerry Baker, z”l, passed away Aug. 23, 2021, at age 70 in Austin. He is survived by daughter, Ilana Hamilton; granddaughter Rowan Hamilton; grandson, Lark Hamilton; son, Benjamin Baker; daughter-in-law, Elisa McCool; Gail Sherman, mother of Ilana and Ben; daughter, Emily Baker; Lynda Baker, mother of Emily; sister, Bess Singer; and niece Billie Singer.

Rabbi Baker was the founding director of the Jewish Education Association in Portland. The JEA later merged with Hillel Academy to become Portland Jewish Academy, where his son, Benjamin, was a member of the first eighth-grade graduating class in 1998. 

Born on Jan. 30, 1951, in New Rochelle, N.Y., he graduated from Colgate University and attended Hebrew Union College. He received rabbinic ordination in 1977 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2002 from HUC.

He served pulpits in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Seattle, Wash., and directed the Santa Barbara Hillel, before becoming JEA director. He moved to Austin, Texas, in 1987 to serve as the executive director of the Texas Hillel Foundation at UT-Austin. He was the founder of Congregation Kol Halev, a progressive congregation in Austin.

Kerry was preceded in death by his father, William Baker, his mother, Estelle (Wintman) Boxer, and his stepfather, Herman "Hy" Boxer.

A private funeral service was held August 23, 2021.

Contributions in honor of Rabbi Baker's memory may be made to the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood or the Democratic Party – organizations which he supported – or to any organization that supports social justice or interfaith dialogue.

The last shiva minyan, which will be hosted7 pm, Aug. 26, by Kol Tzedek, the synagogue that Benjamin and Elisa belong to in Philadelphia. Join the Zoom shiva at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83857485924?pwd=eldWWFZBcU5vOFA5U3Q5RXN3S0tGUT09