Leonard Cohen Hallelujah

On my Remembrance Day walk, I discovered the grave of the late, great Leonard Cohen at the Shaar Hashomayim Jewish Cemetery on Mount Royal in Montreal, Quebec.

Leonard Cohen, one of Canada’s most iconic poets and musicians, was inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a rare double honour that speaks to the depth and global reach of his work.

Born in the Montreal suburb of Westmount, Cohen attended Westmount High School, where he began exploring music and poetry. Interestingly, the same school was later attended by Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States.

In 1967, frustrated by the limited success of his literary career, Cohen moved to the United States to pursue a life in music. That same year, he released his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, marking the beginning of a remarkable musical journey that touched millions.

Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82, at his home in Los Angeles. In accordance with his wishes, his funeral was held quietly in Montreal, where he was laid to rest in a simple pine casket, in the family plot, following traditional Jewish rites.

1934-2016