Dr. Shmuel Baron, a central figure in the Lubavitch community of Baltimore, MD, passed away on Friday, 8 Tammuz, 5785.
He was 88.
He became close to the Rebbe around 1960 and at the Rebbe’s advice, he joined the Lubavitch community in Montreal in 1962. He davened at the shul of the Lubavitcher Yeshiva nearby, where became close with various eminent Chassidim, among them: Rabbi Volf Greenglass, and Rabbi Feigelstock. He also began studying Tanya with Rabbi Gurary, then a young mashpia at the yeshiva.
While studying for his PhD, Dr. Baron taught Calculus to undergrads at McGill University. He wrote his thesis on Reflective Subcategories, which included 13 original theorems.
He attended his first farbrengen by the Rebbe on Yud Beis Tammuz 5724. After he returned home, he received a letter from the Rebbe in which the Rebbe encouraged him to use his position to Influence Jewish students in his surroundings. This he did.
Mrs. Baron would prepare cakes and ice cream, and Dr. Baron would invite students. He also put an ad in the Jewish student newspaper. There were lively discussions in their modest sized apartment. However, the students talked about their own interests, and it was very hard to steer the conversation toward Yiddishkeit. Dr. Baron asked the Rebbe’s advice. The Rebbe explained that college students had pride. The Rebbe said that their pride should be used for the good. They should be asked in advance to prepare a short talk on a mitzvah of their choosing. This advice worked very well. The students took their task seriously and it brought them closer to the mitzvah they talked about.
In 1968, Dr. Baron moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he taught Mathematics to graduate students at Clark University, and inspired others in their Yiddishkeit.
In 1975, he moved to Baltimore, where he lived for 45 years and was a known figure in the community. He became a pioneer in computer programming, in a time when computers were the size of large rooms. He learned coding on his own by reading books and manuals.
After his retirement, Dr. Baron spent many hours every day davening and learning at the Lubavitch Yeshiva in Baltimore. He taught many people and many were inspired by him.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Gittel (Arlette) Baron, and their children Mrs. Sarah Yarmush – Crown Heights; Rabbi Hillel Baron – Columbia, MD; Rabbi Yitzchok Baron – Miami Beach, FL; Rabbi Dov Baron – Crown Heights; and Rabbi Yisroel Baron – Sunny Isles Beach, FL, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
LEVAYA & SHIVA
The levaya will take place on Sunday, 1:00 PM at 770 Eastern Parkway and 2:00 PM burial at the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.
SHIVA LOCATION:
The Yarmush home – 795 Montgomery Street
Minyanim for Shacharis from 7:45am, Mincha and Maariv bzman.
Nichum Aveilim:
10 am – 12 pm,
3:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
I remember him from Worcester 50 years ago.
Already then he had Chassidiche chushim.
I also remember the family very well and I remember how he would daven biavoda,
Word by word.
I thought that after Worcester they moved to Richmond Virginia before Baltimore?
Such a wonderful person and a wonderful family.