Rabbi Aba Dunner and Vic Lyon

Zichro l'barachah

Baruch Dayan Emess I was honoured and privileged to know Abba Dunner personally. One story which has always stuck in my mind concerned the late Chief Rabbi and Rebbitzen Jacobovits zichronom livracha. They had been invited to spend an evening at Windsor Castle with the Queen and Prince Phillip. All arrangements had been made that the Queens Guests would have strictly kosher food and wine. However that was not good enough for Mr Dunner. He contacted the Queen's equerry and told him that not only was the food to be kosher but it had to be served to Rabbi and Mrs Jacobovits by their personal butler to ensure that they were served nothing untoward and he Mr Dunner was their personal butler. Imagine therefore the Chief rabbi and his wife's amazement when the first course was brought in served by Mr Dunner - Rebbitzen Jacobovits later said they both found it hard to control their surprise and laughter when Mr Dunner leaned over the table and placed their food in front of them. He will be sorely missed.