A Loss to the Charlotte Jewish Community: Fred Shporer of Blessed Memory

Charlotte Jewish News

By Rabbi Yossi Groner

Fred Shporer passed away early on the morning of April 29, 2021. Fred’s passing left his family and friends and all who knew him with a void that will take time to heal. Fred was loved and adored for his exceptional kindness and willingness to help anyone and everyone. He always put others before himself and relished the opportunity to do a favor for a friend. His response to anyone who asked him how he is doing? “Much better now that I see you.” He had a unique way of making people feel important and welcomed.

What was unusual about Fred is that he was an ambitious person who was driven to success, rising to the top in his profession. He won many awards for being top in sales and rose to managerial positions for several large companies. As Fred succeeded and increased sales and distributorships, all with diligence and determination, he was never satisfied with his success. Yet as a person, he was a real “mensch” in a most genuine way. He extended kindness, friendship, and empathy to everyone he met. He did not boast about his accomplishments or exhibit his awards. Fred’s humble and kind demeanor never hinted of pride or self-importance.

Fred lived up to the Mishnaic dictum of “Greet every person with a cheerful face.” He was genuinely happy to meet new people, especially during services at the synagogue. He was the unofficial usher who would seek out newcomers, helping them become acquainted with their new surroundings and keeping them engaged.

Fred was always ready to volunteer for the organizations he served and loved. No volunteer job was below his dignity; he did it with a smile and with true devotion. His commitment was boundless, and his joy was to make others happy. He had a persuasive way of convincing people to join him in his volunteer work. Perhaps because he was great at making people at ease with his genuine care and interest in their lives.

In his personal life, Fred was a loving and caring husband, a devoted father to his children ,and totally engaged in all of their academic and social activities.

Fred Shporer was knowledgeable of our Jewish heritage. He held degrees in history and Jewish studies from University of Massachusetts and Hebrew College. He continued his education and received and MBA from Northeastern University. Yet he was always eager to learn more. When it was his turn to emcee the kiddush luncheons at Ohr HaTorah, he would always prepare his comments by researching the early rabbinic commentators on the weekly Torah portion, distilling these thoughts to be understood even by the average person.

Fred met Lisa, the love of his life, in 1975 outside the Bostoner Rebbe’s synagogue on Beacon Street in Boston, and they got married in 1980. His three children were his greatest treasures. He was totally involved in their education and helped them sharpen their skills and took pride as they excelled in their school work.

In 2012 the Shporers suffered a painful tragedy with the loss of their beloved son Zachary. The pain was deep and greatly affected the Shporer family. One of the uplifting projects that brought comfort to Fred and Lisa was the creation of ZABS Place — a unique and beautifully designed boutique thrift shop in Matthews, which employs young adults with special talents, with a multiple track training program that allows them to find employment in the retail marketplace. ZABS is the acronym for Zachary’s Hebrew name. (Zecharyah Avraham Baruch Shporer). Lisa and Fred threw themselves personally into the development and expansion of ZABS, which has become a beacon of light to the young people with special talents and their families.

In addition to ZABS Place, Fred was also active in Jewish Family Services in Charlotte, as well as the Butterfly Project at Shalom Park. He served on the board for the Hebrew Cemetery. Fred also served on the board of Congregation Ohr HaTorah which is part of Chabad of Charlotte and was an active participant in the Chabad building committee with recent building project on Sardis Road.

His passing leaves a void in our hearts.