A young man credited with revitalising Jewish life for students studying in Southampton has died.
Miles Stewart-Compton, who was 26, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was ten, and his death was caused by the condition, said his family.
Miles was known as a pillar of the Southampton Jewish community during his time in the city, where he studied politics and philosophy.
During his time at the university, he was JSoc president from 2019 to 2020 and its vice-president the following year.
On their Instagram page, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) posted that Miles was someone who “did so much to make Southampton JSoc a brilliant place for Jewish students to be”.
Miles also ran for UJS president for the 2021-22 academic year. During his campaign, he told Jewish News that “the Jewish people have come to master resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity and hardship”.
He described his Jewishness as “anything from family, friends, and culture, through shul, chicken soup, and JSoc, all the way to bagels, Purim, and Seinfeld”, adding: “It means everything to me.”
Oren, a friend from Southampton JSoc, paid tribute to Miles on Instagram, saying that “his presence at Friday night dinners was known to everyone”.
He wrote: “He was a beautiful and kind soul, who always made people laugh without fail. He cared deeply about the JSoc community, and his time as president in 2019-20 meant a great deal to him.
“Unafraid to stand up for what he believed in, always. He supported me endlessly and unconditionally, and I’ll miss him dearly. I have so many great memories with Miles and will never forget them.”
Rabbi Zalman Lewis from Chabad Sussex – whose wife Shterna’s kugel Miles was known to be a fan of – also wrote about Miles.
He said: “Shterna and myself join with all of the Southampton JSoc in expressing our sadness on Miles' recent passing. Our thoughts are with his mum, his family and all of his friends in their grief.
“A summary of my WhatsApp chats with Miles over the past few years, including in recent months, shares memories of a wonderful, kind and sensitive individual.
“These include concerns for others going through challenges, as well as concerns for the difficulties society faces today; updates on some of his own challenges and his strong desire to deepen his connection to his Judaism and gain support from his faith, as he navigated those personal challenges; and warm appreciation for the JSoc, as well as for my work in supporting Jewish students in Southampton.
“I feel privileged to have known Miles and will miss him. He was a real mensch.”
Anyone who wishes to leave a tribute to Miles, read about him, or donate to Breakthrough T1D (a charity which funds international research on type 1 diabetes) can do so here or go to: milesstewart-compton.muchloved.com
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