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BRIAN KERNER, a former UJIA chairman and vice-president of the Zionist Federation, has died aged 84.

Communal leaders paid tribute to Mr Kerner, who played a key part in setting up many of the community’s charities.

Jewish Leadership Council chair Jonathan Goldstein said Mr Kerner, who was involved in setting up the JLC, “was driven by a love and commitment to British Jews and Israel, but also a passion for getting things done efficiently.”

Among the many organisations that Mr Kerner helped to establish and lead was Bicom, the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre.

At the start of the Second Intifada, Mr Kerner said there was a need “for a body able to orchestrate British Jewry’s political and public relations” and he brought together different Jewish and pro-Israel organisations, resulting in the Cross-Community Coordination Group (CCG).

Mr Kerner also chaired the United Israel Appeal and led the merger with Jewish Continuity that created the UJIA.

As chair of the CCG, he was also involved in setting up the JLC itself.

Michael Wegier, chief executive of UJIA, said: “Brian was a really lovely man. He is our first former chairman to die and he will be much missed”.

Mr Goldstein added: “He would always dryly observe that there were thousands of Jewish organisations in Britain, all replicating each other’s work.

“Brian’s lifelong push for cooperation and collaboration led him to have a hand in the creation of many of the institutions of UK Jewish life.”

Mr Kerner is also credited with being one of the first Jewish leaders to combat the anti-Israel boycott movement.

He founded the Fair Play Campaign, the Jewish world’s first standing antiboycott umbrella group, and acted as its co-chairman.

Mr Goldstein said: “Anyone who worked with Brian will also remember his sharp wit, his occasionally-risqué sense of humour and his love of Arsenal football club. Brian was a dedicated fundraiser who was always willing to lend support of his time, his resources, his connections and his passion.

“The British Jewish community was immensely enriched by Brian’s work, and is poorer for his passing.”

Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies, described Mr Kerner as “part of the extended family” of the deputies and a “great advocate for Israel and Jewish causes”.

Bicom CEO James Sorene said: “Brian helped establish Bicom in 2001… He was a man of immense compassion, great energy, determination and principle.” Impact: Kerner