In Memoriam – Rabbi Solomon Maimon A’H

It is because of Rabbi Maimon’s vision, energy, and enthusiasm, that hundreds of campers, counselors, and staff members have become more connected to their Judaism and Sephardic heritage through Sephardic Adventure Camp.   He has left us a rich legacy to uphold. Three of our SAC Community Members recently shared their memories of Rabbi Solomon Maimon. Thank you to Simon Amiel, Donna Amira and Cynthia Gamel for sharing their thoughts in memory of our beloved founder.

“Two of the hundreds of things I remember very distinctly about Rabbi Maimon’s giant presence at camp:

1. In my many years at camp as a camper, counselor and director, Rabbi Maimon is the ONLY person who, when he opened his mouth, or stood up, or raised his hand – the entire population of camp would immediately drop what they were doing and listen.  You could hear a pin drop when he spoke in the mess hall.  It was remarkable.

2. There was the start of camp and then there was the start of camp.  The start of camp was when we unpacked our stuff, picked our beds and chose whatever hilarious bunk name for the summer. The start of camp was when Rabbi Maimon got up and sang “There’s No Other Day Like Shabbat” on the very first Shabbat lunch, while we ate the most delicious desayuno after tefila.  That’s when we knew camp was really underway.”

Simon Amiel

“I remember Rabbi Maimon, of blessed memory, as always being happy and upbeat. He was enthusiastic about camp and its’ value in helping to engage young people and keeping them connected to their Sephardic heritage, the community and Judaism.”

Donna Amira

“As a young Ashkenazic girl (who grew up on the other side of the Morgan :), I spent a ton of time at SBH with my friends. I begged my parents to let me go to camp and was so excited to be there for both SBH and EB camp. It was a ton of fun!

Rabbi Maimon was such a presence at camp with him singing “Gedaliah Goomper” and “There’s no other day like Shabbat”. He was very influential in how I decided to live my life. When I was 12 or 13 I won Camper of the Year. I was so excited!! I remember once back home going to SBH on Shabbat at Minha time. We used to hang out in the library during Minha with friends. Rabbi Maimon came in and was so excited to show me that my name had made it to the plaque in the SBH library as Camper of the Year!!

As an adult, he would often remind me of that and he would tell my kids all the time that their mom was Camper of the Year.”

Cynthia Gamel