Benjamin R. Sokol
Listen to the music. Dr. Catalona reflected upon his memory of one of his late patients and a member of the URF Board, Mr. Julius (Jules) Reichel, and his beloved grandson, Benjamin Sokol, who is now a rising star in the opera firmament.
Jules was a strong supporter of Dr. Catalona and his research program during his tenure as a URF board member. For five years, he contributed a regular column to QUEST, “From One Man to Another.” His words resonated with many, and he developed a fan club of his own admiring readers.
Jules died too soon in 2009 when Benjamin was just eight years old. Jules always said that “Benjy” was in his heart. (There is a picture of toddler Benjy in QUEST Spring 2003 ). That same young Benjamin is now Mr. Benjamin Sokol, a classically trained bass-baritone who has completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in classical voice at the Manhattan School of Music and has performed in Don Giovanni, Faust, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His choral work includes chamber choir singer and soloist at venues such as the Gordon Center in Baltimore, Temple Emanuel NYC, Downtown Crossing (Boston), and Jazz at Lincoln Center. His latest performance was in Mozart’s Don Giovanni performed on August 3, 2024, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall. Dr. and Mrs. Catalona were privileged to be in attendance. 
Jules would be exceedingly proud of his grandson. Jules’ daughter and mother of Benjamin, Francene Sokol, says she and her mother Charna Reichel “hope that Jules is somehow aware of Benjamin’s singing.”
Let us all listen to the music, especially those touched in some way by grave illnesses. We are lucky to have talented artists like Benjamin Sokol among us.
