Isaac Luski

Isaac Luski passed away peacefully in Charlotte, surrounded by his loving family, on October 19, 2021, four days short of his 93rd birthday. It was a long and epic life shaped by the great events of the 20th century which in turn gave him the fortitude and insight to flourish in his adopted home of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Isaac Luski was born on October 24, 1928, in Quivican, Cuba, a village outside of Havana where his parents, Faigel and Israel Luski, had fled persecution in Europe to start a new life. Isaac flourished in Cuba, becoming a true “Cuban,” while at the same time being part of a traditional tight-knit Jewish community. The family moved to Cuba where Isaac’s father Israel established a flourishing dry goods business. Isaac and his late brother Abraham joined the business and began their own successful business careers. Israel was a leader of the Cuban Jewish community, and Isaac took to heart his father’s emphasis in helping the Jewish community, as well as the broader community around them, by charitable acts. Isaac made this a priority in his life and even in his last days was making charitable gifts.

As a young man in Havana, Isaac met the love of his life, Sonia. Sonia introduced Isaac to a world of art, intellect, and culture, which Isaac took to heart also. This joint interest in the arts would ultimately flourish in Charlotte, North Carolina. Isaac and Sonia married, and three children quickly followed - Moses, Frances, and Ellie. Things were going well for Isaac’s young family in Cuba until the Cuban Revolution took place in 1960. In very short order, all businesses were nationalized by the government, and Isaac and his extended family were forced to flee to the United States.

Partly because of family already living in Charlotte and partly because early on he saw the potential of Charlotte, Isaac brought his family to Charlotte in 1962. Isaac poured himself into reestablishing himself and his family in Charlotte. He and his brother established a very successful real estate business, which flourishes to this day. He became a behind-the-scenes leader in the Charlotte Jewish community and was part of the leadership group responsible for the establishment of the Shalom Park campus. Isaac and Sonia became a fixture in Charlotte’s cultural life, developing a renowned art collection, becoming major art donors locally and nationally, and helping endow and establish the Luski Gorelick Center for Philanthropy, as well as the Sonia and Isaac Luski Gallery at the Foundation for the Carolinas, a hugely popular gallery for glass art open to the public with free admission. Isaac and Sonia also opened their home to Charlotte’s cultural community. Their home was a welcome refuge, with free-flowing and happy conversations and bountiful hospitality.

For their charitable endeavors and influence in the art world, Isaac and Sonia Luski were awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civic honor, by Governor Cooper. Isaac had a strong but humble presence which attracted people to him. He was sought out and treasured by others. He always had a ready quip, an encouraging word. He made you feel better. He made the world a better place.

Isaac is survived by his children: Moses Luski (Lori Collins Luski), Frances Luski, and Ellie Valenstein (Robert Valenstein), all from Charlotte; his grandchildren: Lauren Luski of Nashville, Emily Terényi (Thomas Terényi) of Vienna Austria, Alexa Valenstein, and David Valenstein, all from New York City; and three great-grandchildren, all from Vienna, Austria: Theo, Toby, and Charlie Terényi.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday, October 21, 2021, at Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road, Charlotte. Burial will follow at the Hebrew Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Temple Israel, Rabbi’s Tzedakah Fund, or the Hebrew Cemetery.