Progressive leaders at home and abroad have paid tribute to former Movement for Reform Judaism chair and vice-president Michael Grabiner who has died, aged 71, after a long illness.

Although raised within an Orthodox community in Hertfordshire, he became a Finchley Reform member after marriage, inspired by rabbis Tony Bayfield and Jeffrey Newman.

In its tribute, the MRJ said Mr Grabiner’s strong egalitarian and progressive values were key to establishing the movement’s position in religious affairs. “He was able to share his values during his time as chair of the World Union for Progressive Judaism and was held in the highest regard by all who came into contact with him.”

He was also instrumental in the creation of the cross-communal school, JCoSS, where he was a former governors’ chair. His CBE in 2012 was in respect of services to education.

Past World Union of Progressive Judaism chairman Steven Bauman said: “Mike was an extraordinary human being and a role model for all who sought to advance the cause of liberal democratic egalitarian Judaism in the UK and around the world. He possessed keen intellect and wisdom and taught me so much as we worked together at the World Union. I lost a brother and we all lost a creative force.”