Community mourns dead
his Stern Property Group collapsed in 1974 with debts of around £143m.
He gave generously to Jewish causes throughout his life. It is understood two of his children are fighting the virus.
It also emerged that Dayan Yehuda Yaakov Refson — the most senior rabbi in Leeds — had lost his life on Sunday evening aged 73, having shown symptoms of coronavirus ahead of his passing. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis paid tribute to Dayan Refson, dean of the regional Beth Din since 1976 and the local Chabad emissary, saying he was “shocked and saddened” to learn of his death and that “it has been my privilege to work with this outstanding scholar and educator”.
The JC also learned of further deaths of members of Golders Green Reform shul, and Edgware and Hendon Reform.
In Manchester another member of the Charedi community was in intensive care in hospital as a result of contracting Covid-19.
On Wednesday, Board President Marie van der Zyl issued a message of support to those “who have lost loved ones and those who are caring for the sick”
Mrs van der Zyl described the coronavirus outbreak as “a devastating national and international tragedy’’ and, referring to the loss of the Jewish lives, added, “these figures show our community is not immune”.
The Board President also urged the community to continue to follow government guidelines and recognise that Jewish law stresses the fundamental importance of protecting life.
She said: “Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones and those who are caring for the sick.
“There is no higher value in Judaism than preserving life, so please, do everything you can to follow the government’s guidelines and stay home unless you absolutely cannot.
“For our part at the Board of Deputies, we care about communities large and small and we are doing all we can to maximise the continuity of Jewish life through this process and ensure we can celebrate a happy and healthy Pesach.
“We will get through this, but it needs everyone to play their part.”
Meanwhile a Jewish Leadership Council spokesperson added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those mourning the tragic loss of a loved one. We wish them a long life and the strength to face this unprecedented situation.
“We have been assisting the community through our relevant members and we have been supporting local, smaller communities who may be feeling especially isolated at this time”.