Sidneyjaque
AN OUTSTANDING leader within Anglo-Jewry, Sidney Jaque survived to the age of 100, having achieved the presidency of London’s Western Synagogue, an office he held for 25 years.
Born to an Orthodox family who settled in Holborn, he followed in his father’s footsteps by rising to high office in Britain’s oldest independent synagogue.
He qualified as a solicitor in 1936, working in Holborn for over 70 years. In 1958 he represented Holborn as Mayor.
Sidney left political life to serve the Western Synagogue. He arranged funding for the provision of a cheder and facilities for the elderly.
A man of quiet stature but great ambition, he was pivotal in the purchase of land at Cheshunt, which he helped turn into a cemetery of outstanding beauty.
His particular concern was to involve the whole Jewish community, setting aside one part for the progressive movements.
As younger Jewish families began moving away from central London and the building at Crawford Street needed repair, he arranged a merger with Marble Arch Synagogue.
The Western Marble Arch Synagogue was formed as an Associated Synagogue of the United Synagogue, a unique arrangement that continues to this day. Sidney Jaque became its first President.
He set up the Western Charitable Foundation from the proceeds of the premises in Crawford Street , enabling the Great Cumberland Place synagogue to be refurbished. His legal expertise allowed the synagogue to become the floating freeholder of its own premises. His delicatenegotiations ensured that the King David Suite was re-opened.
Sidney J aque lived to see the fruition of his plans to breathe new life into West End’s Jewish community. His legacy is the Western Marble Arch Synagogue’s valuable premises, with its four cemeteries supported by the Foundation.
He is survived by his son and daughter, grandchildren and great children.