Yaakov “Jim” Watkins
Longtime Colorado resident Rabbi Yaakov Gordon “Jim” Watkins died on December 23, 2024. He was 73. A service was held on December 24 at Rose Hill Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Benji Last. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Born in New York City on August 16, 1951, Rabbi Watkins attended Fairview High School in Boulder and CU Boulder. He also attended Yeshiva Pirchel Shoshanim in Lakewood, NJ. On Jan. 4, 1976, Rabbi Watkins married K Wertheimer. They were a couple until Rabbi Watkins’ passing.
The family best described him as someone who provided “community support for religious infrastructure, mashgiach, gabbai to Rabbi Mordecai Twerski, eruv director, mikveh supervision and maintenance, and other!”
Rabbi Watkins’ family also called him a “jack of all trades” and an “unemployed philosopher.”
“He was a man of many stories, many deeds and constant learning,” his family said.
His intellectual curiosity impelled him to write 56 letters to the editor of the Intermountain Jewish News over the past three decades on a wide variety of topics. His long essay, “Miracles: Things That Did Not Work Out the Way I Expected Them To” constituted the summer IJN Literary Supplement (Aug. 11, 2023).
The IJN featured Rabbi Watkins in the Kosher Living Section (March 12, 1999), “Personality: Keeper of East Side eruv and mikveh,” and as part of a Today’s Life feature on the East Side eruv (Dec. 29, 1995).
Survivors are Rabbi Watkins’ wife K; children Rivka (Kerry Halladay) Watkins, Svi Herschel (Theadora Rachlin) Watkins and Malca (Jonathan) Wacks; grandchildren Ezra, Benjamin, Asher and Abigail Wacks; and sister Laurie Watkins.
Contributions may be made to Rocky Mountain Chevra Kadisha and the East Side Eruv.
Jerold “Jerry” Hart
Jerold “Jerry” Hart passed away on December 14, 2024, at the age of 82. A service was held on December 17 at Feldman Mortuary, with interment at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder, officiated by Rabbi Danny Roberts. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mr. Hart, born in Jersey City, NJ, on March 30, 1942, attended Monmouth College and Rutgers Law School. He and his wife Sherry (they were married in 1977) moved to Colorado in 2003, where Mr. Hart practiced law.
“He dedicated over 50 years to practicing law,” his family said, “demonstrating a steadfast commitment to his profession.
“Besides his professional life, Jerry was known for his fun spirit and his hobbies which included skiing and boating.
“He also had a keen interest in life beyond Earth, often imagining life on the Moon and Mars.”
Survivors are Mr. Hart’s wife Jerry; children Greg (Bri) Hart, Jennifer (Brooke) Hart and Jillian (Matt) Hart; and grandchildren Griffin, Tucker, Colton, Blake, Emily and Chloe.
Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Center.
© IJN 2025
