RevReubenTurner

Chazan and broadcaster who widened the appeal of Jewish music

AN IMPRESSIVE knowledge of Jewish liturgy is taken for granted in a minister. But the Rev Reuben Turner, OBE, who has died aged 92, also had a rare rapport with children.

Many told their parents how to perform the Friday night and how to respect books. They loved the way he made the feel really special, and found his presence comforting.

Reuben Turner was an affable and gentle man blessed with a beautiful, inspiring voice. He was born in Karsruhe, the son of Bluma née Kosiner and Moshe Leib Turner, a businessman. In 1931, his grandfather Dovid Túrner, president of the community, sent Reuben and his parents to Hamburg, where his brother, Meir Dov, was born andfromtheretoLondonin1933,which saw the birth of his sister Leah. While his prescience in sending them away saved his family’s lives, Dovid himself did not survive the Holocaust.

At the age of nine Turner studied at the Avigdor School in Finsbury Park, followed by Eitz Chaim Yeshiva from 193741, under Rabbi Elyah Lopian. He joined DalstonSynagogueandjoinedthechoir.

In 1941 at the age of 17 he was overheard by the warden of Blackpool Synagogue singing one of the seven

(celebratory prayers) at a wedding, and was promptly asked to act as thechazanfor atBlackpool,which launched his career.

During the Blitz he sheltered in Manor House tube station with 12 families, and eventually found them a row of houses in Leeds, setting up a small community with Rabbi Shalom Moskowitz.

Returning to London after the war, Turner married Anne Straus in 1947. In 1948 he became minister and chazan at Finsbury Park Synagogue before accepting the same position at Brixton Synagogue, where he remained for 18 years. Annesetupakindergartenandbecame a general community adviser,and matchmaker.

In the early 1970s Turner joined the JNF’s youth and education department, expanding the role to generate a plethora of school material, literature and publications. As education director and later consultant, he moved deeper into the religious side, linking Jewish history to Bible studies. He was also a part time minister and chazan at North Hendon Adath Synagogue.

His weekly Spectrum Radio broadcasts on Jewish music and education, were followed after Spectrum’s demise by a chazanut slot for Shalom Radio.

He founded the Jewish Music Council andwaspatronof theLondonCantorial Singers since 2002. He became president of the Association of Ministers of GreatBritainandco-foundedtheSociety for the Promotion of Jewish Liturgical Music.

Publications included Jewish Living, Jewish Festivals, The Companion to the High Holy Days, and From Sabbath to Sabbath. Hewrotea Jewish Living columnfor theJCandamonthlyyouthslotongreat contributions to mankind.

Rev Turner was awarded an MBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He organised London choir festivals, held honorary positions in the community and among his educational work he was principal of Hillel House School from 1973-81, and chaplain of Ravenswood Village from 1976-2000. He is survived by his daughter Marion Posen, his son Norman Turner, his daughter Leila Taylor, his daughter Sara in Ravenswood Village: grandchildren, great grandchildren, three great, great grandchildren, his brother Meir Dov Turner and sister Leah Last. His wife Anne predeceased him. Born Karlsruhe, Germany, January 8, 1924. Died London, July 18, 2016