Solomon Levi

Archibald Gadd/Zorilda Levi's Marriage Certificate lists his occupation as Rabbi

Evelyn 2 Nov 2010

Reverend Solomon Harris Levi had his secular education in a public school, and it is presumed his father, Reverend Aaron Alexander Levi trained him as a minister.

In 1880, he left Sydney to be the Minister of the then West Maitland Synagogue, West Maitland (now called Maitland) NSW. He remained there for eighteen years until the synagogue closed in 1898, when he moved back to Sydney where he taught Hebrew and prepared boys for bar mitzvah. In the years after that he officiated at Holy Day Services in Brisbane, Queensland

several times. It is unknown why he was not given a full-time ministerial job in Sydney.

The building that was once the synagogue in Maitland still stands in Church Street. It was restored in the late 1980’s by the Maitland Credit Union, employing the grandson of the original architect to oversee the restoration.

According to all accounts he was a good minister, but the Jewish families gradually moved to Newcastle.

Solomon died unexpectantly in St Vincents Hospital, Darlinghurst. Apparently some funds were raised for the family by the Jewish community, but Abigail still had to take in washing to manage. Some of the children

were also reared by other relatives. His daughter Ruby was raised by Aunties Louisa and Caroline and then adopted by her aunt Phoebe. His son Edward(Ted) was raised by his aunt Elizabeth Levy (Friedman) & Sol Levy.

In loving memory of the Rev. Solomon Levi beloved husband of Abigail Levi and third son of the late Rev. A. A. Levi who died 2nd August 1902, aged 45 years.

May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.

Graham October 16, 2009

The early passing of Rev Solomon Levi was sudden and unexpected. He was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital and died within days. I will edit in details later. The Jewish Newspaper described his death an "an irreparable loss". our family was devastated. Zorilda was only 10 years old. My aunts and uncle never met the grandfather they loved and respect. Great Grandpa is my hero. The man I aspire to live up to -being a Minister myself. He cared for the poor. He was kind and gentle and active in the community. More later. I visit his grave regularly. I researched his life and wrote his biography but the transcript is on a disc I can't access.

Graham November 15, 2009 at 6:27 am

I researched and wrote the biography of my Great Grandfather and am in the process of re writing it as the disc is jamed and the transcript lost .

Briefly , from memory, Solomon was taught by his father

to be a Jewish Minister

went to West Maitland where he ministered faithfully,

assisted the poor - Jewish and gentile

he was a devout man

keeping the Jewish food laws

sadly the Jewish families moved away from West Maitland and his congregation collapsed. The Synogague was closed

and his family returned to Sydney.

He continued ministry taking opportunities as they arose including one easter in Brisbane.

He visited the sick.

sadly he died on Saturday 2nd August 1902

Altough he died 48 years before I was born he is my mentor,

my hero, my father figure, the one whoes ministry style has fallen on me.

I am thankful to my aunts who spoke much of their grandfather they never knew. Many of his children were not even teenagers when he died.

I will update after checking my sources.

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 17 2019, 5:29:15 UTC
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 17 2019, 5:47:24 UTC