Rabbi Joshua Stampfer was born in Jerusalem, in pre-state Israel, in 1921. He died Dec. 26, 2019.

Stampfer was the rabbi at Congregation Neveh Shalom from 1954 to 1993 and served as rabbi emeritus until his death.

Major institutions he helped create include Camp Solomon Schechter, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, the Oregon Board of Rabbis, Foundation School and Neveh Shalom’s Library. He also cofounded two international organizations – the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies and the Sino Judaic Institute. Programs he created include Weekend in Quest; the Portland Jewish Film Festival; and a Writers and Scholars Lecture series. He was also instrumental in the formation of Judaic studies programs at three Portland universities – Portland State University, Reed College and Lewis & Clark College.

Rabbi Joshua and Goldie Stampfer, z”l, had five children, 20 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

A service for Stampfer was held Dec. 29, at Congregation Neveh Shalom. A special memorial service in memory of Rabbi Stampfer to mark the conclusion of the month-long Sheloshim was held Jan. 26 in Neveh Shalom’s Stampfer Chapel.

Contributions in Rabbi Stampfer’s memory may be made to: Camp Solomon Schechter, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education; or Congregation Neveh Shalom.