This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38365805
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Rabbi Lionel Blue dies aged 86 | Rabbi Lionel Blue dies aged 86 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rabbi Lionel Blue, the first openly gay British rabbi and a regular on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, 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". | Representatives from the liberal synagogue Beit Klal Yisrael described him as "an inspirational man". |
| The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jonathan Arkusha, said he was "a pioneer in many senses". | The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Jonathan Arkusha, said he was "a pioneer in many senses". |
| Rabbi Blue had struggled with his sexuality through his teens, leading to a nervous breakdown that saw him leave the Army. But after attending university, he rediscovered his faith and was ordained in 1960. | Rabbi Blue had struggled with his sexuality through his teens, leading to a nervous breakdown that saw him leave the Army. But after attending university, 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. | 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. |
| 'Hilariously funny' | 'Hilariously funny' |
| 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." | "We will not see his like again. May his memory be for a blessing." |
| Mr Arkush, said: "Rabbi Lionel Blue was a significant and well-loved personality in our community, a pioneer in many senses. | Mr Arkush, said: "Rabbi Lionel Blue was a significant and well-loved personality in our community, a pioneer in many senses. |
| "Lionel brought his Jewish view of the world to a mass audience with signature warmth and wry self-deprecating humour." | "Lionel brought his Jewish view of the world to a mass audience with signature warmth and wry self-deprecating humour." |
| 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. | 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? | 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 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." | "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." |
| 'Universally loved' | 'Universally loved' |
| Rabbi Jonathan Romain of Maidenhead synagogue said of Rabbi Blue that he was "God's best PR man in Britain". | Rabbi Jonathan Romain of Maidenhead synagogue said of Rabbi Blue that he was "God's best PR man in Britain". |
| "For several decades Lionel Blue became the indispensable Monday-morning wake-up call for millions in Britain, mixing religious insights with honesty and humour," he said. | "For several decades Lionel Blue became the indispensable Monday-morning wake-up call for millions in Britain, mixing religious insights with honesty and humour," he said. |
| "He never pretended that life was easy, or that religion solved everything; instead, he shared his own failings and foibles, and showed how to get through the rest of the day." | "He never pretended that life was easy, or that religion solved everything; instead, he shared his own failings and foibles, and showed how to get through the rest of the day." |
| A former pupil of of Rabbi Blue's, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, said: "Lionel was the archetypal rabbi's rabbi - always there for us as individuals, helping us understand our own personal and spiritual journeys. | A former pupil of of Rabbi Blue's, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, said: "Lionel was the archetypal rabbi's rabbi - always there for us as individuals, helping us understand our own personal and spiritual journeys. |
| "And he leaves a legacy like few others. As the first British rabbi publicly to come out as gay, in the 1970s, Lionel paved the way for many others, including clergy of all faiths." | "And he leaves a legacy like few others. As the first British rabbi publicly to come out as gay, in the 1970s, Lionel paved the way for many others, including clergy of all faiths." |
| 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." | 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." | 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 was made an OBE for his services to broadcasting in 1994. | Rabbi Blue was made an OBE for his services to broadcasting in 1994. |
| His funeral will take place on Tuesday. | His funeral will take place on Tuesday. |