Rabbi Aryeh Leib Solomon
Rabbi Solomon served as the community's minister from 1987 to 1995. A Sefer Torah was presented to the synagogue to celebrate his induction and the souvenir brochure issued for the occasion can be viewed immediately below. However, the late 80s and early 90s were a period in which the community was beginning to decline. Early in 1992, Rabbi Solomon appealed to the community for greater attendance at services and greater involvement in communal functions. Scroll down to read the text of his appeal.
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Resignation
The letter on the left, although it is undated, was apparently written in 1995, when Erev Pesach fell on Friday 14th April. It is curious for other reasons too. While the phrase “with immediate effect” conveys a sense of surprise and “very little time left” speaks of urgency, the circular was not composed in haste. The thorough review of Rabbi Solomon’s service to the community suggests that the president may not have been surprised. More than anything else, this document illustrates how the management of the community’s affairs was often fraught with difficulty.
Click here for a legible transcription of the letter. |
Interview with Rabbi Aryeh Leib Solomon (Conducted in 2023)
Q. What problems did the community face during this period?
A. Families with young children moved to the east or north to be close to Moriah or Masada. Also, the shule faced a Shabbat minyan that was often not getting to ten.
Q. Was the membership increasing or declining during this period?
A. It was declining.
Q. What was the level of attendance on shabbatot / festivals during this period?
A. Ten or eleven men, not including guests. I encouraged some local residents who previously had not attended the Synagogue (e.g., Dr Krieger, Dr Besser, the Jacobs family, Bernie Rosen) just to come to make up the minyan.
Q. What was the financial status of the community during this period?
A. The shul wanted to stay in the black.
Q. In what way did the financial status affect the activities of the community?
A. I believe the kindergarten ensured the shul was in the black.
Q. Was a structure erected?
A. A shabbaton room was built adjacent to the shul. Mr Arthur Kohn, a”h, built it by renovating a room adjoining the shule and the shule provided bunk beds. The Hyman and Lewin families contributed carpets.
Q. Who was the president / treasurer / secretary during your tenure?
A. Presidents: Sam Steif, John Lutman and Jack Moses. Treasurer :Alf Schneider. Secretary: Eddy Neuman.
Q. What unique functions took place?
A. As Moriah Rabbi I held frequent Shabbatons and brought Moriah high-school students and Yeshiva bochurim from the Yeshiva Gedolah on Flood Street as their madrichim for Shabbat.
Q. What annual functions took place?
A. We arranged special functions for Yom Tov.
Q. Who was married at the shule during this period?
A. There were none during my tenure.
A. Families with young children moved to the east or north to be close to Moriah or Masada. Also, the shule faced a Shabbat minyan that was often not getting to ten.
Q. Was the membership increasing or declining during this period?
A. It was declining.
Q. What was the level of attendance on shabbatot / festivals during this period?
A. Ten or eleven men, not including guests. I encouraged some local residents who previously had not attended the Synagogue (e.g., Dr Krieger, Dr Besser, the Jacobs family, Bernie Rosen) just to come to make up the minyan.
Q. What was the financial status of the community during this period?
A. The shul wanted to stay in the black.
Q. In what way did the financial status affect the activities of the community?
A. I believe the kindergarten ensured the shul was in the black.
Q. Was a structure erected?
A. A shabbaton room was built adjacent to the shul. Mr Arthur Kohn, a”h, built it by renovating a room adjoining the shule and the shule provided bunk beds. The Hyman and Lewin families contributed carpets.
Q. Who was the president / treasurer / secretary during your tenure?
A. Presidents: Sam Steif, John Lutman and Jack Moses. Treasurer :Alf Schneider. Secretary: Eddy Neuman.
Q. What unique functions took place?
A. As Moriah Rabbi I held frequent Shabbatons and brought Moriah high-school students and Yeshiva bochurim from the Yeshiva Gedolah on Flood Street as their madrichim for Shabbat.
Q. What annual functions took place?
A. We arranged special functions for Yom Tov.
Q. Who was married at the shule during this period?
A. There were none during my tenure.