Sylvia Mincoff

Magistrate who put Israel high on the agenda of Newcastle’s Jewish community

AFOUNDER-MEMBER of the Rosa Wollstein young marrieds Wizo committee, Sylvia Mincoff, who has died in Newcastle upon Tyne aged 96, served as chairman several times through the 50s and 60s.

After years in the civil service, she was appointed a JP, first in Gosforth Magistrates Court then Central Newcastle. The daughter of Mannie (Emanuel) and Bessie Bloom, (née Collier), her father was a soldier in the First World War, who then worked in the Post Office. She was born in London, and brought up in Newcastle upon Tyne. Her younger sister Hazel was born in 1926.

Mincoff won a scholarship to Rutherford School at the age of 11, but transferred to Whitley Bay School the next year, and passed the Civil Service exams at the age of 18. Having met Harry Mincoff at a Blue and White Ball, they married in Newcastle’s Leazes Park Synagogue in September 1945.

Sylvia always had left-wing affiliations, and marched against Franco during the Spanish Civil War. A loyal member of the Labour Party, she canvassed in the West End of Newcastle and North Tyneside, transporting disabled or elderly people to the polls.

Harry joined the army during the Second World War and Sylvia remained at the Civil Service. Eventually she joined up and worked in army welfare, near Ripon. After a distinguished army career, Harry reached the posi- tion of Major but was badly injured towards the end of the war. He was based in Naples, organising entertainment for troops, so Sylvia, who was still with army welfare, joined him. They returned to Kenton in Newcastle in early 1947, where their daughter Adrienne was born. Harry resumed his law studies interrupted by the war, and later Sylvia helped him establish his successful practice. Their son Roy was born in 1950. Sylvia remained a JP until her retirement at 70.

Sylvia helped organise the annual Jewish Women’s Week for some 35 years. On visiting Israel, seeing the projects funded by Wizo led her to encourage fellow Wizo members to raise donations.

Sylvia supported many charities, particularly in the north east, and swam regularly with her daughter, until she was well over 90. She is survived by Adrienne, Roy, their spouses Henry and Mirelle, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Harry pre-deceased her in 1996. Sylvia Mincoff: born July 6, 1920; died July 6, 2016