Irishcommunitymournslocalhero
CORK JEWRY’S “indispensable man” has died, aged 88.
Fred Rosehill was indefatigable in his efforts in the cause of the small community, whose final synagogue service was held in February.
Maurice Cohen, chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, said that “by telling the story of the Cork community to countless schoolchildren, he kept the memory of Jewish Cork alive.
“The synagogue and congregation went on for probably 50 years past when most would have thrown in the towel.
“Freddie took care of everything — barmitzvahs, funerals, the refreshments after Sabbath services. He was there to open the synagogue graveyard. He kept the Passover dinners going for many years.”
Mr Rosehill was also instrumental in the establishment of Shalom Park, a permanent memorial to Cork’s old Jewish neighbourhood.
He had told the of his heartbreak at the closure of the South Terrace shul. “I feel very sad, very alone and very worried about the future. I want to say my prayers but I have nowhere to say them.”
Mr Cohen believes “very few of the past indigenous Jewish population” remain in Cork. “Probably single figures. However there are several dozen dotted around Munster. There are seeds of a new community forming.”