Aviel Klausner
KLAUSNER: Aviel Klausner, April 26, 2025, beloved husband of Andrea (Gindler), formerly of Pittsburgh, father, brother, son, uncle, cousin, and friend died early Saturday morning while folk dancing. Born in Israel in 1956 to a loving family and kind and brilliant parents Yehudah z”l and Yocheved, who instilled in him a deep love of learning and of his Jewish heritage, overflowing kindness, and a desire to connect with people. He had an intellectual and curious mind, and a purity and joy of heart through which he continued to approach all things throughout his life. Aviel grew up and spent his time between Israel and the U.S., living for a time in Princeton, New Jersey and Detroit where his father studied and worked as professor. Aviel eventually returned with his parents to Be’er Sheva, where he attended Ben Gurion university after serving in the Israel Defense Force, and moving later to Cambridge, Massachusetts to receive his Ph.D. in computer science from Harvard. There he fell in love with and married his cherished wife Andrea, who was pursuing her master’s degree in education at Harvard at the time. In the Boston area Aviel also fell in love with the Harvard Hillel community, the folk dancing community, and his job and colleagues at InterSystems, where he looked forward to his work every day, which continued to stimulate and bring him joy, even as a senior developer 38 years later. Aviel moved back to his hometown of Be’er Sheva with his wife and children in 1990, where he lived a short walk away from parents and enjoyed being able to spend more time with his three brothers, David, Meir, Moshe, nieces and nephews, and extended family. Upon returning to Boston in 1996, Aviel built a warm and loving home in Newton with Andrea and their three children, Zak, Yael and Ben, and became a beloved fixture in the Newton Center Minyan (now Walnut Street Minyan) community, and in the Israeli folk dance community. Aviel died while folk dancing, an activity that he was passionate about. Aviel engaged in every activity with deep enthusiasm and a childlike delight and curiosity; he was endlessly optimistic, giving and loving unconditionally. Avi filled each moment of his life with people and pursuits that brought him delight and so much joy, everything from Torah study and prayer, celebration of holiday traditions, family dinners or time spent time with his beloved wife and children, helping friends and community members, writing code and connecting with colleagues, treasure-hunting at yard sales, dancing, yoga, tending to his plants and spending time in nature, or just telling jokes, editing a Wikipedia article, solving puzzles, or enjoying good scotch or a cup of coffee. His sudden loss is felt immensely by his family and the countless people and communities he touched. Immense too is the gratitude, honor and love felt by those who had the privilege of knowing this kind, unique and joyful soul. Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Walnut Street Minyan, 858 Walnut St., Newton, MA. Burial followed at Independent Pride of Boston, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury, MA. Contributions in Aviel’s memory may be made to the Walnut Street Minyan Tzedakah Fund.
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