Memories of Gregory Jackson
It’s been my privilege to work with Gregory for quite a long time. He was the one who opened the door for me when I interviewed all those years ago. What a symbol that was. Opening doors for us, for all of us, the doors to a place where we enjoy and experience our spirituality, where we make a difference, where he made a difference.
How is it possible to capture the essence of such a big human being? When I say that, I think you all know that Gregory was big in just about every way. He wasn’t just a tall man, he was towering and regal. Tracy, who works in our preschool told me the first time she met Gregory, she was just in awe of his presence. She called him “Sir Gregory” and for her, that title never changed. I didn’t know she called him that, but it fits, doesn’t it?
Gregory had a big sense of style – he loved to dress! He cut such a figure in a suit, with his coordinating tie, pocket square, and lapel pin. He didn’t neglect the every day, either. His sneakers matched his shirt cuffs, his watchband matched his collar. He loved a tweed cap – everything was thoughtful and perfect. Last Rosh Hashanah, Tovah was in the office with a bag of scarves trying to figure out which one would go with her dress, and Gregory took charge. He found the right one, arranged it for her just so, and when she couldn’t keep it on her shoulders quite right, he just gave her a big sigh of feigned exasperation.
In the office we’d find catalogs of every sort, reflecting Gregory’s rather impeccable taste. When he would watch the door at night to let people in for a meeting, or waiting to lock up for the night after school was changed over, he would leaf through gourmet goods, kitchen wares, home décor, and of course the finest of fine men’s clothes.
But it wasn’t just presence and style. Gregory was all heart. He looked out for our kids. He saw some of them five days a week, from babyhood to high school, and then when they came back for holidays from college. He went to their bar and bat mitzvahs, and their weddings. They were his kids. He knew what they liked, who their friends were (and weren’t), and what made them smile. He was playful, but they knew when he was serious. Just ask the mischievous ones who would try to stay one step ahead of him on Shabbat. . .
For me, I think the quality that stood out the most was Gregory’s understanding that his work here at BZBI contributed to each person’s meaningful spiritual experience. He loved setting up for a wedding, arranging the kippot artfully in a basket for our b’nai mitzvah, and making sure everything was just so. He knew that if you were going to do something, you might as well do it with care and beauty. He knew it mattered. Gregory mattered so much to all of us. To me. I am grateful to have known such a big soul.
