Cyril Mitchell Wax

BORN LONDON, OCTOBER 7, 1930. DIED EDGWARE, MARCH 13, 2016, AGED 85

MULTI-TALENTED and known to many, in a variety of guises, Mitch Wax was a teacher, a master craftsman, a showman and songwriter, an artist, a leader in one of the largest synagogues in Europe, and above all, a lifelong volunteer. How could just one person fill all those roles and more ?

The son of Dave and Hilda Wax, he grew up in Edgware where his large family were members of the local United synagogue, and where, even before his barmitzvah, he was helping to run children’s services. Love of Judaism played a big part in his family’s life and it became the driving force of many of the activities he subsequently took on board. Although he enjoyed study, he had left school at 14 to work in his father’s tailoring business, where he learned to become a master cutter. At 17, a few days after the declaration of the state of Israel, Wax and two friends went out to the fledgling country hoping to help, but as he was under 18 and still a minor he had to return to London. Nevertheless, his love for Israel remained constant for the rest of his life.

His many gifts, in conjunction with his warm personality, led Wax to become well-known and loved. His musical ability boosted by a fine and powerful bass voice, involved him in the production of countless shows and songs which helped raise charitable funds, for instance at Purim spiels. He was also an accomplished artist, a subject on which he regularly spoke. But his greatest gift was the ability to teach children, and in particular to inspire them with his own love of Judaism. This aspect came to the fore when in 1959 he and his family joined Edgware Reform Synagogue (EDRS) where he remained for 57 years, serving on practically every committe. He was also a member of council for 20 years from 1966, five of them as vicechairman, then chairman. In 1987 he was appointed a vice-president, and in 2009, president. During his five years in that role he also celebrated his second barmitzvah.

At EDRS he helped to run services on Shabbat and the High Holy Days, and was part of a small team of lay readers who conducted shivah prayers.

For over 25 years, strongly supported by his wife Myrna, he held Shabbat lunch and learning sessions in his home for pre- and post- bnei mitzvah children, several of whom went on to become teachers, rabbis or community leaders.

In 2006 he started a chevrah kadisha at EDRS, a service which takes care of the body of the deceased prior to burial, and he went on to help set up several chevrei kadisha in other Reform and Masorti communities. When he was not engaged in religious matters he was writing, performing and telling jokes in musical shows.

Wax was a regular volunteer at Norwood’s Ravenswood Village, where he led Shabbat services and created prayer books for Shabbat and festivals.

He served for many years on the Zionist Federation, and the Board of Deputies. He recently won the Jack Petchey Award for his work inspiring young people, and the Lady Jakobovitz Volunteer of the Year award. He was also Grand Master of his lodge and held a senior position within freemasonry.

He is survived by his wife Myrna, their three children, Rabbi Lee Wax, Jo Sigalov and Steve Wax, all of whom are active in the Jewish community, and seven grandchildren.