In Memory

Bennett Solomon

 

The Bennett Solomon Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Dr. Bennett Solomon by his mother, Florence Solomon, a long time member of Congregation Ramat El and Temple Sinai.
 Bennett grew up in Philadelphia, graduating from Central High School and Gratz Hebrew High. After attending Brandeis University, he decided to devote his life to Jewish education and received a Doctorate from Harvard University. He was soon hired to be the principal of the Cohen-Hillel Academy in Marblehead, MA where he revitalized and energized the Jewish Day School, tripling its enrollment and spearheading a major campaign for a new building. Bennett died in 1987 at the age of 36 after a lengthy battle with cancer leaving behind a wife and two small children.
 It was at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, however, where Bennett fell in love with Judaism spending four summers there as a camper in the 1960’s and eight summers on staff in the 1970’s. Camp Ramah taught Bennett the ruach (spirit) of Jewish life where sports, classes, drama, and even meals are not only conducted in Hebrew but are "Jewish" fun. Bennett was a true Jewish role model for hundreds of campers and he is remembered at Ramah on a sculpture designed by renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein and created at the behest of his cousin, Stanton Lacks, a lifelong Temple Sinai member.  
The fund at Temple Sinai has served as a living memorial to Bennett by providing scholarship assistance to the many Temple Sinai children who wish to follow in his footsteps and experience the summer joy of living Judaism at Camp Ramah



 
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09/28/09 09:00 AM #1    

Bruce Engel

What amazing accomplishments in such a short time. I still remember playing in a band with him where he was an excellent drummer. Bruce Engel


10/22/09 09:54 PM #2    

Howard Ford

I stood next to Bennett at either Richard Rudin's or Robert Staples' Bar Mitzvah & he quietly translated the Hebrew while the ceremony proceeded. Not being Jewish made it so meaningful. He had a grasp of the essence of deeply meaningful experiences that still perplex many of us. He was funny, caring, and quite clever. I remember his characteristic grin and boyish smile. We are blessed to have known him and benefitted from the time we shared.

12/05/13 10:40 PM #3    

Mark Cooper

I was recently at a wedding where Bennet's wife( remarried) and grown children were . I told them how well respected he was @ Central. I played BBall with that "Giant" who definiitely dominated the boards. He was a Gentle Giant both physcally and intellectually.

 


03/26/19 11:21 PM #4    

Richard Schwartz

I ran into Bennett a few years after high school. His wild afro redish hair beaming his smile skyward. His smile was electric and contagious- he smiled the whole time we spoke like life was just so amusing. The only thing i specifically remember from that conversation was that he said he really didnt have much time to see the old guys as he was just so in love with his wife he could not wait to get home and be with her. Wow Bennett. Never forgot that. Rest well Bennett and keep that smile dude. 

 


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