In memory of Shaar Honorary President Dr. Charles Solomon

Dear Friends,

On behalf of a bereaved Shaar Hashomayim community, we extend our condolences to the family of Dr. Charles Solomon, חיים יחזקאל מנחם בן נתן ורחל ז”ל. Charles – who, depending on when your friendship with him began, was also known as Charlie, Chuck, or Haim – passed away in Jerusalem on Tuesday, 21 Adar 5786.

Chuck was a leader of our Shaar community, serving as President of the congregation from 1968-1972. He would often credit the Shaar as a principal influence in his life. He would recount how his mother would occasionally bring him to shul on Shabbat, and, when Chuck was 8 years old(!), he decided that he wanted to go every week, to be “enveloped by Cantor Mendelsohn’s voice.” He would stand in the front row by himself; his grandfather would come over to him and invite him to sit a few rows back, but Chuck insisted on staying as close as possible to the bimah.

Chuck was a leader in many capacities, including of prayer. At 12, he became involved in Junior Congregation. There, the prayers were shorter – only Shacharit and Torah reading – and as soon as Junior Cong finished, he would run to the Main Sanctuary so as not to miss Musaf. After he celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Shaar (Parashat Vayishlach of 1943), he learned how to lead the prayers and, many years later, volunteered to lead Shacharit, Musaf, and serve as choral director of the High Holiday Parallel Service.

His involvement included directing the Purim play…which, one year, featured Leonard Cohen in the role of Mordechai! When Chuck was around 18 years old, he was invited by Mr. Lerner to teach Jewish history at the Shaar’s Sunday School. He recounted a fortuitous encounter that occurred one day in the halls of the school: he overheard a young man speaking to Mr. Lerner in Hebrew, and Chuck knew immediately that he wanted to speak Hebrew like that young man.

Mr. Lerner then made the life-changing suggestion that Chuck attend Camp Massad. He told me, “It changed my life.” He recalled that he shared a bunk with three Israeli boys. They would fight with each other all day long, but they would do so in Hebrew! And that’s how he learned the language.

He always shared special close relationships with Shaar Clergy. His connection with Rabbi Shuchat went back to Camp Hiawatha in the early 1940s, when Chuck was a camper and Rabbi Shuchat was a counsellor (the future-rabbi’s bunk was known as the “Minyan Mansion”). When Rabbi Shuchat was brought to the Shaar to try out as Assistant Rabbi in 1946, Chuck knew immediately that this was the candidate who would best suit the Shaar – a prediction that proved true for a generation, as Chuck and the Rabbi worked side-by-side on so many important initiatives. His connection with the clergy continued to this day, with Cantor Zelermyer and me. For many years, whenever I would land at Ben Gurion Airport, I knew the very first incoming call would be from Chuck, who wanted to know how he might be able to help make my visit productive and meaningful. We shared many wonderful moments together, both on his visits to Montreal and when we would visit him and Connie at their home or at their Jerusalem synagogue on Chovevei Zion Street.

Even after his move to Israel, Chuck remained connected to the Shaar in a very real and profound way. He stayed up-to-date on board meeting minutes, he knew about our programs and was always interested to hear about the Shaar and share some memories of those formidable years he spent as an active attendee and leader of the congregation.

We extend our condolences to his bashert, Connie, and the entire family. Of course, it was through the Shaar that Connie and Chuck first met. They lived a short distance from each other – he on Victoria (near Queen Mary), she on Isabella – and they both attended a Friday evening gathering that attracted many singles. They were blessed with a vibrant and loving family – children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was so proud of his family, and proud that they family remained close to each other in Israel. Their regular holiday gatherings, which brought the entire Solomon clan together, always left Chuck with a great sense of nachas and accomplishment.

When Chuck and Connie left Montreal for Israel in 1977, Rabbi Shuchat wrote a message to the congregation expressing how difficult it would be for the Shaar without the Solomon family in Montreal. The rabbi wrote, “We have been orphaned.” It is that sense of loss that I feel today, as well, as Chuck’s reassurance, kindness, and enthusiasm have meant so much for me and my family over the years.

Charles Solomon leaves behind many friends, family members, and a community that is grateful for his love and leadership. He lived a good, long life, and will be remembered by so many who loved him.

May the memory of Chaim Yechezkel Menachem ben Natan v’Rachel be a blessing.