Jonathan Daniel Haber

"His heart was other-worldly pure and he was the most kind and gentle person! Also so fun to talk with about anything. He was so knowledgeable about history and politics, and such an engaged listener when being on the receiving end of my endless stories. I feel blessed to have had Jonathan in my life."
These words from one of Jonathan Haber's dearest friends capture what the world thought of him. When they heard that he was in his last illness, tributes poured in. Time and again they cited "his purity of heart," "his genuineness," "his loving nature," and his intelligence and humor. They knew his struggles and respected him for the way he kept trying without bitterness or the loss of that loving heart.
Born with all the stars aligned against him, Jonathan struggled all his life against multiple physical and neurological challenges. His faith; his love of family, both biological and chosen; and his innate gentleness kept him from sinking into resentment and anger at the unfairness of his lot. The challenges his friends faced took his mind off of his own, and if he could have few joys or triumphs in his own life, he could find joy in theirs.
A lover of his country and the best of what it stands for, he read and reread the Constitution for inspiration and comfort. If he had not been held back by his disabilities, he would have combined his love for country, politics, and Israel into a career as a policy analyst with the State Department, advocating for Israel and other U.S. interests, especially the defence of democracy and freedom. As it was, he was proud of having been able to work for the federal government, even in a much humbler capacity.
It would be wrong to end this without thanking the day and night staffs of the UMASS Memorial Hospital SICU in Worcester, who supported him during his final struggle. Unlike too many others, they looked past his disabilities and dysfunctions and cared for the human being as if he had been one of their own.

Donations in his memory can be made to Magen David Adom, American Friends of Magen David Adom, or The AARP Foundation.