Dear Ones,

It is with great sadness that I share the news that our beloved colleague, teacher and friend Ibrahim Farajajé died last night at Alta Bates Medical Center in Oakland. He was surrounded by a small group of family and friends who have been keeping watch over him since Ibrahim’s massive heart attack on January 15. Though there were very early signs that he might be able to recover, and though he struggled valiantly over the past few weeks, his physical healing was not to be. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Katherin, his son, Issa, his mother, Delores, his siblings and other family members.

Ibrahim had announced last fall that he was retiring from his work at the school after 21 years. They were years filled with intense work, spirit-filled teaching and mentoring, innovative thinking, and a deep love for Starr King. We had hoped for more time together, had started planning new immersion programs with him, but his death ends those plans. Our hearts are broken right now, and will be for a long time. Yet there exists in every room and every hallway of our school the evidence of his intellectual rigor, his spiritual intensity and his abundant joy in life itself. There will never again be anyone like him; we have lost a great treasure.

Details of a formal memorial service are not yet known. Here at the school, we will be gathering in chapel at 1 pm today (Tuesday, Feb. 9) to honor and to remember Ibrahim Baba. Whether you can attend or not, consider these things: keep your heart open and joyful; let your eyes scan the horizon for the next amazing, life-giving opportunity–and take it; use your hands to be of service to someone; let your mind stretch to include new ideas and new possibilities. As you do these things, you are honoring this irreplaceable man and his irrepressible spirit. May the God of many names and one abundant Love welcome Baba home, and may that great Love hold us in our deep grief.

Faithfully,

Rosemary