Ben Harris: 1913-2014

Dave and I were saddened to learn this morning of Ben Harris's death last night. We especially sympathize with the loss for Ben's family: his wife Rosalie and their children and grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

We are also deeply aware that with Ben's passing, an era of the Jewish community in northern Vermont has come to an end. Ben's boundless energy and enthusiasm in the early years of Congregation Beth El in St. Johnsbury, his partnership with the wider community during its growth in the 20th century, his eager embrace of Jewish worship, gatherings, and especially the New Year, and his warm smile -- he and Rosalie for decades were the faces of welcome to new Jewish residents and rabbis, as well as many more -- for all of these, we've admired Ben, and with dignity and tenderness he entered his final years, still giving a sweet smile to anyone who visited.

We will always miss his presence among us.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Dolgin.

Please do read more about Ben and Rosalie here.

UPDATE:

The funeral for Ben Harris will take place on Tuesday, December 30 at 11:00 am at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue.  The congregation is located at 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington.  

   The family will be sitting shiva at their home at 66 Dundee Street in St. Johnsbury on Tuesday from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm, with prayer at 7:30, and on Wednesday and Thursday from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm and 7:00 pm-9:00 pm with prayers at 7:30. Friends are welcome.