Rabbi Avrohom Pinter - one of the most influential and respected figures from within Stamford Hill's Strictly Orthodox community - has died after contracting coronavirus.
The JC understands that Rabbi Pinter was admitted to a central London hospital before Pesach last week after feeling unwell and died on Monday.
Tributes poured in for the much-loved rabbi both from within the Jewish community and from further afield.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wrote: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Avraham Pinter z”l.
"Rabbi Pinter was known to many as a tireless representative of the Jewish community in Stamford Hill, as a local councillor and as the Principal of Yesoday Hatorah Girls’ School.
"I will remember him as an eved Hashem with a kind heart and an unwavering commitment to his community. His loss will be widely felt across Anglo Jewry and beyond. Yehi zichro baruch."
Shlomo Sinitsky, chairman of Kedassia, one of the Charedi community’s leading laymen, said, “For some 40 years Rabbi Abraham Pinter was the face and voice of our Charedi community. His wisdom and wit will be missed by us all.
“Never one for compromise, he lived by the motto that ‘a thousand friends is too few and a single enemy, too many.’ Our community is grieving alongside his dear family and Klal Yisroel.”
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, one of Rabbi Pinter's closest friends in Stamford Hill, wrote: "I would like to thank all those that said Tehillim for Rabbi Avrohom Pinter of blessed memory. This will certainly stand in good stead for his Soul, and for all of us that must try to continue his good work.
"May His Soul be Bound in the Eternal Bond of Life."
Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: "Rabbi Pinter was a much loved figure across the community, building bridges between different groups of Jews, Government & wider UK society...
"He will be deeply missed by all of us who had the privilege to know him."
In a joint statement, the Jewish Leadership Council's Simon Johnson and Jonathan Goldstein said Rabbi Pinter "was an undoubted leader of exceptional talent and a strong advocate for his community with a broad sympathy for and understanding of the needs of Jews from across religious observance.
"He was respected by politicians and by all across our community. Baruch Dayan Emes. Rabbi Pinter's memory will endure and we pray that his family may be comforted among the mourners for Zion and Jerusalem."
Michael Goldstein, President of the United Synagogue said he was "devastated to learn of the death of our dear friend Rabbi Pinter.''
Respected both for the depth of his religious knowledge and his willingness to offer advice and help to people of all faiths, Rabbi Pinter had a unique ability to bridge between Charedi and mainstream communal worlds.
He had represented Charedi interests on the London Jewish Forum, while in his role as principal of the Yesodey Hatorah Senior Girls' School he received praise and also dealt ably with criticism.
His influence in the political sphere was also apparent by the messages of sympathy written on Monday evening after his passing.
Lord John Mann, an advisor to the Government on antisemitism, said: "I worked for 15 years with Rabbi Pinter - he became a trusted ally and friend as well as a major community leader.
"His advice and perspective has always been significant. His warmth and smile has been a comfort to so many of us."
A long-time member of the Labour Party, despite his criticism of Jeremy Corbyn during his leadership of the party, Rabbi Pinter received immediate tributes from his local Labour MP Diane Abbott, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and shadow cabinet minister David Lammy.
Mr Khan said Rabbi Pinter "did so much to help community relations in London and will be missed by so many".
Ms Abbott, a former shadow home secretary, said: "Giant of community politics passed away today, Rabbi Abraham Pinter.
"I knew him for over thirty years. He had so much to be proud of: his beautiful family; his work amongst the people and above all the Yesodey Hatorah School. He will be mourned by all."
Shadow Justice Secretary Mr Lammy added: "A true leader of the Charedi Orthodox Community in Stamford hill, he was clever, erudite and inclusive. This is a huge loss. I will miss his counsel and good humour immensely."
Ian Sharer, a former Liberal Democrat councillor in Hackney and member of the Charedi community, said, "In his position, there was sometimes controveresy in what he was doing. But he never held it against anyone who opposed him and I never heard him speak badly of anyone. He was always smiling at people."
Theo Bibelman, chairman of Yesoday Haorah Senior girls said: “It is only now slowly dawning on all of us the tremendous loss we have sustained with the passing of Rabbi Avrohom Pinter.
"Our principal, driver and inspiration; a giant amongst us, an outstanding leader upon whom we could always rely and count on, is no longer with us.
His influence, far beyond our own school and community was legendary and it is due to his efforts that heimische chinuch [education] in this country is strong and thriving. Rabbi Pinter is irreplaceable and it will be difficult for the heimische kehillo [community] to bear this tremendous loss which will be felt throughout Klal Yisroel.”
Rabbi Pinter's family has asked all messages of condolence be sent to familypinteruk@gmail.com
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