Observance of Shul marks mainstay’s Chanukah, 85th — when he is 86
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ON THE premise of better late than never, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue held an 85th birthday kiddush for its president Frank Maxwell — a year later than envisioned.
Although plans to celebrate the landmark last year were derailed by the pandemic, the Midlands community wanted to honour its long-serving leader, who was instrumental in the shul’s reopening.
A member since 1977, Mr Maxwell regards his involvement with BPS as one of the most rewarding parts of his life. He says that taking a stronger interest in its affairs after the death of his wife Carole in 2002 helped fill the huge void in his life.
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, who led the service, said: “Frank is far-sighted, determined and generous in all that he does for our community and sets the same examples serving other interests. At the age of 86, he has the energy of a young man.
“As we pray on this Shabbat for the future of our planet, so we pray that Frank will be part of our future for many years to come and that, in the words of Psalm 92, he will continue to be fruitful in old age and ever be fresh and green.”
Proposing the kiddush toast, Pete Noons said Mr Maxwell could always be relied upon to deal with any task.
“In every sense Frank, you are a real mensch and pretty much the father of our synagogue.”
Mr Maxwell’s communal influence extends beyond the synagogue as he chairs the Midlands fundraising wing of World Jewish Relief, is a prominent voice on the Representative Council of Birmingham and Midlands Jewry and has helped organise hospitality for Israeli war veterans visiting the city. Professionally, he remains active in Fracino, the award-winning and globally successful coffee machine company he founded in 1953 after building a prototype machine in his garden shed.