“I learnt pity, sympathy, and what it was like to be at the other end of the stick. Such lessons can’t be learnt in lecture halls” [Lionel Blue]
I first met Lionel Blue in a lecture hall. I knew he was a Jewish Rabbi and I knew that he had had great success for 25 years on the Radio 4 show ‘Thought for the Day’ – a 3 minute slot where he spoke to listeners about anything and everything.
What I didn’t know was how much I would instantly warm to him, of how gentle and wise he was…and how funny! Soon, a totally captivated audience was laughing uproariously to a series of surprisingly dirty jokes!
Although that day in the audience was many years ago and Lionel Blue has subsequently passed away, I still vividly remember that hour in his company.
Now he is commemorated in a London mural celebrating the great contribution of Jewish Londoners. But he chiefly remains in the hearts of his listeners and the people like me, lucky enough to meet him, however briefly.
There are many of us, as this lovely comment I found from an anonymous member of the public attests:
‘He was full of joy, fun and pleasure. A sense of humour that was incredible and so self deprecating. One of the loveliest human beings with whom I have ever had the pleasure of spending time. If all ministers of religion were similar to him, synagogues, churches, temples and other places of worship would be full to overflowing.’
