IN MEMORIAM

A Note of Deepest Sympathy and Condolence on the Passing of

Professor Joseph Berechman,

Beloved husband of Prof. Iris Geva-May

November 23, 2025

The Society for International Comparative Policy Analysis (ICPA Society) and the Editorial team of the Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis (JCPA) share a profound sadness following the passing of Professor Joseph Berechman, fondly known as Yossi, the much beloved husband of our Founding President and Editor-in-Chief, Professor Iris Geva-May. After facing the challenges of Parkinson’s for many years, Yossi, with his loving wife by his side, passed peacefully away on Sunday, November 23, 2025. 

Yossi and Iris have been constant pillars of support to one another throughout their distinguished careers and her dedicated leadership of the ICPA Society and the JCPA, and, by extension, his presence was invaluable to our community.

Professor Joseph Berechman has been a leading international transportation economist who has had an everlasting impact on his field, with tens of articles and five books. He had an extensive international network of colleagues and former students on five continents who cherished his scholarship, kindness, and determination. He has been the Chair of the Economics Department and Marvin Kristen Chair Professor at the Powel School, CCNY, CUNY, New York; Canada Research Chair in Transportation Economics in the Business School at UBC, Vancouver, BC; Chair and Founder of the Department of Public Policy at Tel Aviv University, researcher at the Hague, and advisor, among others with the EU Commission, New York State: MTA; Israel Ministry of Transportation, and so on. He was an athlete, a marathon runner, a lover of history, poetry, philosophy, and music.

He was loved and revered by all who knew him, including the JCPA team. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to Iris and the entire family during this devastating time.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Joseph Berechman Economics Fund at City College, CCNY, CUNY, in support of excellence in economics (Please contact Annika Lüdke at aluedke@ccny.cuny.edu) or to the Joseph Berechman Scholarship Fund at the School of Public Policy, Urban Studies Center, Tel Aviv University (Please contact Head of the Department of Public Policy, Ravit Hananel at hananelr@tauex.tau.ac.il).

View Joseph’s Memorial to Share a Memory, Photos, and Condolences Notes at: https://www.mykeeper.com/JosephBerechman/.