On the morning of Oct. 17, the entire Shalhevet community was ushered to the Beit Midrash for an assembly in memory of Mr. Jack Slomovic, a philanthropist and founder of the school who died at this time last year.
Mr. Slomovic, who was born in 1925, was both a builder of Los Angeles’ Jewish community and a founding Board member of Shalhevet. He was also a survivor of the Holocaust.
Introducing a video interview of Mr. Slomovic, Head of School Rabbi Ari Segal tried to set the mood.
“Pay close attention to the end, in which he answers the question of what he wants to be remembered for,” Rabbi Segal said. “This was a man who was successful in all areas of life. What he says… is life changing.”
Before the assembly began, the school davened Shacharit all together. During the service, a Torah adorned with a giant silver crown was carried around the room. Rabbi Segal explained that this Torah had been dedicated by the Slomovic family in 2002 in memory of Mrs. Renee Slomovic’s, brother, Jim Joseph.
After davening ended, Rabbi Segal described Mr. Slomovic’s character and reputation, along with his dedication to Jewish schools. Then he introduced the video, in which Mr. Slomovic shared his life story, talking about his time spent in Buna, a labor camp near Auschwitz.
After the war was over, he said in the film, he chose to go to Israel and become a soldier in the War of Independence. He moved to the United States in 1955 and became a leading figure Los Angeles’s Jewish community, founding both Shalhevet and YULA high schools.
When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Mr. Slomovic replied, “As a good Jew and a good husband, a good father.”
After the video was over, Mr. Slomovic’s daughter, Mrs. Sharon Frank, spoke of his memory. Choking back a few tears, Mrs. Frank discussed his impact on the Jewish community and her father’s memory.
Board Chairman Esther Feder then talked about her personal relationship with Mr. Slomovic.
“He always had a positive attitude,” Ms. Feder said. “He always reassured me when I had to make a difficult choice… and if I made a mistake… I would learn from it.”
When the ceremony was over, the students filed out of the Beit Midrash silently and returned to their school day – a day which had been made possible through Jack Slomovic’s life and work.
