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Rabbi Lionel Blue dies aged 86 | Rabbi Lionel Blue dies aged 86 |
(35 minutes later) | |
Rabbi Lionel Blue, a regular on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day and the first openly gay British rabbi, has died aged 86. | Rabbi Lionel Blue, a regular on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day and the first openly gay British rabbi, has died aged 86. |
Rabbi Blue, from London, was known for his liberal teachings and supporting other gay members of his faith. | Rabbi Blue, from London, was known for his liberal teachings and supporting other gay members of his faith. |
Representatives from the liberal synagogue Beit Klal Yisrael described him as "an inspirational man" who "spoke with such wisdom and humour". | Representatives from the liberal synagogue Beit Klal Yisrael described him as "an inspirational man" who "spoke with such wisdom and humour". |
Rabbi Blue was made an OBE for his services to broadcasting. | Rabbi Blue was made an OBE for his services to broadcasting. |
Rabbi Blue was born in 1930 and struggled with his sexuality through his teens, leading to a nervous breakdown that saw him leave the Army. | |
But after reading history at Balliol College, Oxford, and Semitics at the University of London, he rediscovered his faith and was ordained in 1960. | But after reading history at Balliol College, Oxford, and Semitics at the University of London, he rediscovered his faith and was ordained in 1960. |
Soon after, he came out publicly and throughout his life lent his support to organisations including Liberal Judaism UK and the World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Jews. | |
Announcing his death on the synagogue's Facebook page, Beit Klal Yisrael representatives wrote: "Lionel was a wonderful and inspirational man, who spoke with such wisdom and humour and whose words reached out far beyond the Jewish community. | Announcing his death on the synagogue's Facebook page, Beit Klal Yisrael representatives wrote: "Lionel was a wonderful and inspirational man, who spoke with such wisdom and humour and whose words reached out far beyond the Jewish community. |
"He was a friend and mentor to many and his courage in coming out as gay in the 1970s paved the way for many other Jews, including many Rabbis. | "He was a friend and mentor to many and his courage in coming out as gay in the 1970s paved the way for many other Jews, including many Rabbis. |
"We will not see his like again. May his memory be for a blessing". | |
'Hilariously funny' | |
Many have paid tribute with fond memories of his contributions to Thought for the Day - something Rabbi Blue took part in for more than 25 years. | |
BBC religious affairs correspondent Martin Bashir, said: "Who can forget that combination of common sense, humour and biblical wisdom? | |
"He once said that he had no time for the solemnity and stiffness of religion. He said he preferred the people who stumbled honestly into their faith. | |
"He was almost like an agony uncle on behalf of the Almighty on the serious issues, but then, of course, he was hilariously funny too." | |
Sociologist and writer Dr Keith Kahn-Harris paid tribute on Twitter: "Rabbi Lionel Blue died. One of those rare people who are both brave pioneers (being an out gay rabbi) and universally loved." | |
And fellow rabbi Debbi Young-Summers tweeted: "Last night we lost a wonderful teacher and rabbi who shaped me and so many others. Rabbi Lionel Blue has earned his rest and left us all blessed." | |
Rabbi Blue's funeral will take place on Tuesday. |