Sidney Brichto


By Stephen Pollard
January 17, 2009
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A light has gone out in the world with the passing of Sidney Brichto.

Sidney was an inspirational man: rabbi, scholar, activist, writer, thinker, facilitator, and many other things; but above all, mensch.

I got to know Sidney a few years ago, and he changed my life (in one sense, literally - he led grace after the meal at my wedding). He inspired me - and countless others - with his indefatigability and his ideas. He had a thousand ideas a day, most of them brilliant and unique.

And he was simply the best company imaginable - witty, warm and full of life. I simply cannot imagine a world without him.

Only last week he finished a piece for the JC, which I had asked him to write on the day I was appointed editor. We were due to publish it next week.

We wish long life to Cathryn and his family. 

 

COMMENTS

joemillis

17 January, 2009 - 20:00

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What a huge, great loss. Zicrono le-vracha, She'hamakom yenachem et mishpachto bi'vniyat yerushalayim ve'zion

Jonathan Hoffman

19 January, 2009 - 09:45

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It is a huge loss. I only met him when he came to the pro-Israel counter-demo we organised against the 'Enough!' anti-Israel march in 2007. But I regret not knowing him for longer. He was a terrific author and a great supporter of Israel.

http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/node/313/full

CarGo

19 January, 2009 - 21:32

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What a touching piece, Stephen. How we will miss Sidney. I understand he had a stroke. Anyone who cares as much about Israel's survival and the dignity of the Jewish people as Sidney did will have been suffering so much anguish this past fortnight. Last week I had such a terrifying encounter with anti-Israel supporters that I told people afterwards 'I thought I was going to have a stroke or heart attack.' Their hatred was breathtaking. I hope Sidney did not die because he allowed the haters to get to him. Rest in peace, my fellow Philadelphian.

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