Three years ago, the lives of the Gincel family were forever changed when Dr. Dan Gincel was diagnosed with a tumor on his brain stem, beginning a multiyear battle against cancer that ultimately led to his untimely death in December 2024, leaving behind his wife Ayelet Gincel and three children: Roi, Maya and Jordan.
This spring, Jordan Gincel got the opportunity to honor his father during a two-week trip to Israel as part of the Krieger Schechter Day School’s annual eighth-grade trip by planting a tree in his father’s hometown of Arad.
Before the trip, Rabbi Moshe Schwartz, the head of school at KSDS, spoke with Ayelet to propose a way to honor Dan.
Ayelet shared that Dan had grown up in Arad and his late parents had been deeply connected to the town through volunteering, staying active in local initiatives and had co-owned the Muza restaurant, a community landmark.
“Inspired by this connection, Rabbi Moshe partnered with the Jewish National Fund-USA to plant a tree in Dan’s honor in a new park in Arad. To us this was more than a gesture, it was a tribute rooted in the soil of his youth, in the heart of a community that had embraced him and his family. Now, that tree stands as a living symbol of remembrance, growth and enduring ties,” Ayelet wrote to the Jewish Times in an email.
Ayelet said that when Schwartz brought up the idea of planting a tree, the whole family immediately felt that was the right thing to do.
She added that Arad was the perfect location because it was more than just the town where Dan grew up; it was the place that had shaped him, held his memories, and was where his family had made an impact.
“It was a gesture that captured Dan’s spirit: generous and full of life,” Ayelet said. “Planting the tree there felt like bringing something back home, a way to honor his legacy in a place that had once helped him become who he was.”
During the trip, the KSDS group made their way to Arad and participated in a ceremony where Jordan planted the orange tree, and his peers were able to shovel a scoop of soil into the ground and pour some water onto the sapling.
Schwartz said that it was a powerful way for the community to come together in support of Jordan and process the loss of Dan together.
“Many of them [Jordan’s classmates] paid a shiva call when Dr. Gincel passed away in December. They knew Jordan’s dad. He came to baseball games. He was part of the school and part of the community,” Schwartz said.
He added that the ceremony was also an intimate family experience for Jordan, as his aunt, uncle and other family that lived in Israel were able to attend the ceremony. It was also put on a video call so the family back home could watch.
Ayelet said that with many relatives unable to attend Dan’s funeral, this ceremony served as a “rare and precious” moment for the family to come together in his memory.
For Jordan, the ceremony was a way to connect to his father and the place where he grew up and create a lasting symbol for generations of people in Arad to appreciate.
“It felt like planting a memory of my dad, a symbol of love and roots. My dad talked about his childhood in Arad often and cherished having family close. There was also a sense of peace, knowing that something lasting had been created in a place that meant so much to him, surrounded by people he cared about. And I truly appreciated the friends who were part of that moment too,” Jordan wrote to the Jewish Times in an email.
Ayelet said that the community at KSDS and beyond have been an anchor of support for the family throughout some of the most difficult days of their lives.
She added that Schwartz and the faculty at KSDS were constantly checking in on the family and supporting Jordan to make sure they received the care and understanding they needed.
Ayelet said that now that the tree is planted, it will provide sweet oranges and comfort in the heart of a desert town, a representation of the way Dan lived his life.
“This tree also carries the spirit of Dan, who spent much of his life uplifting and supporting others. He and his mother shared a deep love of cooking and welcoming guests with warmth and care, which he taught our kids. He filled our home with the comfort of good food and open arms, and now this tree can continue offering sweetness and shade to those who pass by. To us it’s more than a tree. It’s a legacy rooted in kindness,” Ayelet said.
