December 18. On this date in 1988, Borrah Kavelin died. Born in Russia to a distinguished Jewish family, in 1950 he was elected to the NSA of the United States, where he served for 13 years until his election to the inaugural Universal House of Justice, where he served from 1963 until his death in 1988.

 

December 18. On this date in 1988, Borrah Kavelin died. Born in Russia to a distinguished Jewish family, in 1950 he was elected to the NSA of the United States, where he served for 13 years until his election to the inaugural Universal House of Justice, where he served from 1963 until his death in 1988.

H. Borrah Kavelin was born in Russia to a distinguished Jewish family on March 16, 1906. When he was three years old, the family immigrated to the United States and settled in Denver, Colorado. His love of music drew him to New York, where his debut as an operatic tenor occurred on the stage of Carnegie Hall. During the Great Depression he was forced to leave his musical career and became secretary to the director of a real estate firm. His ability and diligence were soon recognized. He became a partner in the firm, and later became executive vice president and partner of the distinguished realty firm Durand Taylor and Company for 20 years.

From 1941 to 1950, H. Borrah Kavelin served on the Local Spiritual Assembly of New York City. In 1950 he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, where he served for 13 years until his election to the inaugural Universal House of Justice, where he served from 1963 until his death on December 18, 1988.