Rudi Leavor
Rudi Leavor,
Leeds University where he trained to become a dentist. He later had a successful dental practice based in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire.[1][2]
Other
German Jewish refugees came to Bradford in 1939 as part of a Kindertransport scheme based at the Carlton Hostel in Manningham
.
Leavor became President and Chairman of the
Bradford Reform Synagogue in 1975, and represented the Bradford Jewish community at civic events in Bradford and further afield.[3][4]
At the age of 86, with the financial assistance of the local Muslim community, he was involved in restoration work on the Grade II listed Bradford Reform Synagogue.[5]
Jani Rashid joined the Synagogue council in January 2015; the council is involved with the administration and operation of the Synagogue. This appointment is thought to be the first for a Muslim. Leavor, Rashid and Zulfi Karim representing the Bradford Council of Mosques worked to strengthen social bonds between the Jewish, Muslim and other communities and faiths in the City of Bradford.[6][7]
In 2017 Rudi Leavor was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday's Honours List, for his work with the local Jewish community and in interfaith and community relations.[8]
His death was announced on 27 July 2021.[9]
References
- ^ "Bradford synagogue saved by city's Muslims | UK news | The Guardian". theguardian.com. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Rudi Leavor | Making Their Mark: Bradford Jewish". bradfordjewish.org.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "VIDEO: Candles lit to remember Holocaust victims and survivors (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)". thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Halifax Minster will see the chairman of the Bradford Synagogue light a candle for special Holocaust service | The Diocese of Leeds". westyorkshiredales.anglican.org. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Bradford Muslims Rally To Save Synagogue From Closure". huffingtonpost.co.uk. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Interfaith boost as Bradford Synagogue recruits Muslim | The Jewish Chronicle". thejc.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "City's synagogue council appoints first Muslim member as 'strikingly close' relations between two faiths deepen further (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)". m.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
- ^ "Bradfordians honoured in centenary Queen's birthday honours list".
- ^ "Heartfelt tributes paid to Holocaust survivor Rudi Leavor who dies aged 95". Jewish News. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.