Father of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon Passes Away at 92

Shalom Leon, father of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Wednesday at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1934 to a distinguished Sephardic family, he immigrated to Mandatory Palestine with his parents in 1935, narrowly escaping the Holocaust that claimed many relatives in Auschwitz. The family initially settled in Jerusalem before moving to Givatayim.

Shalom Leon worked for decades in the automotive industry, managing a garage with dedication and integrity. Beyond his professional life, he was deeply committed to Jewish tradition and community service. A skilled cantor, he served for many years at the Heichal Moshe synagogue in Givatayim, becoming a central figure in the Balkan Jewish community there. His passion for cantorial music influenced his children, including Moshe Leon, who sang in the IDF Rabbinate Choir in his youth.

He is survived by his children, including Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, Dr. Nissim Leon, and Professor Orly Miron, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His wife, Hannah, predeceased him. The funeral will take place tomorrow at the Givatayim cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife. The family is sitting shiva in Jerusalem.