The communities of Manchester and latterly Sheffield have been saddened by the sudden passing of Mr. Sholom Simon a well-known member of Anash of Manchester where he lived for over 60 years.
Reb Sholom was born in Liverpool in 1938 where at the age of 12 his father passed away. The then Rov Rabbi Plitnick was active in encouraging young boys to go to Yeshiva and Reb Sholom spent 8 years in Gateshead first at the boarding school and later in the Yeshiva.
In 1960 he married Mrs Rivka Grunsfeld O.H. and settled in Manchester. There he became involved in the Chabad community and was active in all the Rebbe’s mivtzoim. He also had a fair correspondence with the Rebbe, later travelling on the earlier charter flights and then on an annual basis for every Tishrei. With the Rebbe’s brocha and together with the late Rabbi Mordechai Sufrin he set up a fund to assist girls to attend seminary called Keren Chana, and it exists to this day.
For many years he and his Rebbetzen were well-known caterers who organised thousands of Simchas throughout the community. On many occasions when families found it difficult to meet the cost they would continue anyway. They were also the cooks at the renowned Manchester Yeshiva for many decades and thousands of Talmidim still have good memories of their fine food. Similarly, they ran and cooked for the B’nos Agudah Camp for over fifty years as well as numerous Chabad events such as the annual Yud Tes Kislev dinners organised by Rabbi Avrohom Jaffe. He worked as secretary for the Addas Yisroel Nusach Ari shul in Manchester and also on the local Chevra Kaddisha.
Reb Sholom was known for his quiet demeanour, ready smile, positive outlook and consistent attendance of shul and shiurim. He was never far from his Chittas, Rambam or other Seforim when he was not working and kept these up to the very last day. He did not like gossip and would constantly remind family members that “we don’t talk about people” if ever the conversation strayed in that direction.
He preferred to stay out of the limelight and not inconvenience others his motto being “I don’t need the fuss”.
His wife predeceased him nearly nine months ago and to that end perhaps he never quite recovered from his loss. Nevertheless, he endeavoured to keep going even travelling to Dnipro, Ukraine to attend his granddaughter’s chassuna despite not being very mobile. He enjoyed every minute of being there and especially loved having his family around him. Before lockdown, he and his wife had come to live in Sheffield with his daughter Rebbetzin Faige Golomb where he passed away suddenly on Monday night oir leyud gimmel cheshvan.
He is survived by his son Reb Dovid Eliyhou Simon of Manchester, daughter Rebbetzin Faige Rochel Golomb, shlucha to Sheffield, son Rabbi Yossi Simon of Chabad of Golders Green, London, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren kain yirbu.
Mr Dovid Simon can be contacted on +447855683049
Mrs Faige Rochel Simon can be contacted on +447976845482
Rabbi Yossi Simon can be contacted on +447966492816
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Such a special Yid, always demonstrated genuine interest in and concern for others.
May his dear family continue the wonderful legacy of their special parents.
I remember Mrs. Simon very well, such a warm and kind family. We were very sorry to hear this news, wishing Faige Rochel and her brothers arichas yamim.
Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B’soych Shaar Aveiley Tzion v”Yerushayim..
Simcha & Hinda Lewis, Israel
BDE. What a loss of a real baal chessed. Nothing was to much for him to do to help other people.. When i was attending Manchetser Yeshiva in years 5720-22. He would come into the yeshiva in the evenings to learn along with reb Mordechai Sufrin and others. He would often teach me as well. Later over the many years he was a respected MEHADRIN caterer together with his wife OH. They would cook each year at various summer camps and much more. He was a respected and integral part of the original Lubavitch kehilla in Manchester. He was one… Read more »