A
dedication ceremony, lead by Rabbi Elf, was held on Sunday, 7th
January 2007 to dedicate our new Ark doors in loving memory of our late
President, Lionel Simmons.Farewell to Lionel Simmons
A
dedication ceremony, lead by Rabbi Elf, was held on Sunday, 7th
January 2007 to dedicate our new Ark doors in loving memory of our late
President, Lionel Simmons.
The service was well attended, a sign of how much Lionel meant to his family, friends and our community and that he has certainly not been forgotten.
Lionel worked tirelessly for the synagogue, as a Lay Reader and taking funeral/shiva services. He spent time with the families concerned offering guidance and support. He was also Chair of the Rites and Practices Committee.
The ceremony started with a few words from our Vice Chairperson, Lewis Miller as Sue Levitas was unable to attend due to illness. Lewis reported that, so great were the donations to Lionel’s memorial fund that the synagogue will also be able to replace the ‘scroll holder’ within the Ark and purchase new Shabbat candlesticks.
Rabbi Elf put together a very fitting service (which included the complete SWESRS choir), to mark this very special occasion and a very special man. Lewis Miller read ‘Exodus 25: 10–22’ and Diane Miller ‘1 Kings 8: 1-4 and 6-9’. Also read was the Dedication Prayer for the Aron HaKodesh, Holy Ark. The Shekyanu was recited.
Many thanks must go to (in no particular order), Rabbi Elf for taking a fantastic service, Michael Wright of Wright’s Welding Ltd for designing and constructing the new doors, the SWESRS choir, Shirley DePass for the flower arrangements, Diane Miller and Shelley Freedman for preparing the Kiddish and finally the webmaster who wired up the new lighting within the Ark.
The tributes page is still open. If you would like to submit a tribute by e-mail to be published on our website, click here. To view the tributes page click here.
Memorial Service
A memorial service, lead by Rabbi Elf, was held on Sunday, 4th December 2005 for our President who passed away on Monday, 31st October 2005. The service was well attended by at least ninety people, a sign of how much Lionel meant to his family, friends and our community.
Lionel had been our President for many many years and a member since the late 40’s when he and his wife Jean were married in the synagogue, then in Leigh Road. Lionel had spent many years on Council.
Despite recently turning 80, Lionel never let his age stop him. He worked tirelessly for us, as a Lay Reader and taking funeral/shiva services. He spent time with the families concerned offering guidance and support. He was also Chair of the Rites and Practices Committee. Will sincerely miss his presence.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Jean and all his family at this very sad time. We wish them all a long life.
The tributes page is still open. If you would like to submit a tribute by e-mail to be published on our website, click here. To view the tributes page click here.
Dear All,
I felt the need to write to you today, and to say a huge thank you to you all. A year ago today, my wonderful Grandad Lionel Simmons - passed away, and whilst the last year has been a real struggle at times for us all, it was wonderful reading his memorial page that you so kindly set up. All of the wonderful things you said about him made his passing that little bit easier, and it was amazing to read all of your tributes to him. I never realised how much he truly did for everyone, and how blessed we all were to have him for as long as we did.
Thank you all so much for your very kind words - they will never be forgotten.
With much love,
Anna Green
Jean and Lionel's Grandaughter - Claire Green (nee Simmons') daughter.
31/10/2006
...Lionel was a wonderful man and will be sadly missed by a great number of people.
Shelia Goldberg.
I first met Lionel about 42 years ago when I first joined the synagogue council. He has been a loyal and dedicated servant of our synagogue for even longer than that. His passing means that the synagogue has lost a precious asset and I have lost a dear friend. God bless you Li.
Henry Phillips.
Lionel was my mentor over the past six years during my term as Honorary Secretary, always at the end of the phone or more recently by the e-mail which he loved to use, except of course when it went wrong then we would spend many a happy hour sending test messages to each other.
Lionel was the voice of reason and always kept us on the right track. He was respected by all and any problems would be taken to Lionel! Lionel was there when we all had personal troubles and was always on the phone to see how he could help or just lend a sympathetic ear.
When he was asked whether he would consider being our President he asked and was genuine in the belief that he was not worthy of such a position, one that we would could think of no one better for.
Lionel was not only respected he was liked and loved by us all. He will be missed more than he could have ever realised.
Diane Miller.
Only a few weeks ago we celebrated his 80th birthday when it gave me great pleasure to make a presentation to him as our President and friend.
Lionel was always at hand to offer guidance and compassion. He was the voice of reason and worked tirelessly for the congregation.
Our thoughts are with Jean and family at this sad time.
Sue Levitas and family.
When Shirley and I moved to Westcliffe in 1966, Lionel was one of those who made us very welcome at the Liberal synagogue.
Very soon he and the two Sids, Levy and Mitchell, persuaded us to join the council and for many years we had both the pleasure and privilege of working with him. He was always available for help and advice and certainly prevented us from making too many mistakes. Even when we disagreed it was always with mutual respect for each other and it never affected our friendship. He was one of the driving forces behind both the acquisition of our own cemetery and the move to membership of RSGB.
Even after we ceased to play an active part in the synagogue we knew that we would always see him at the various functions and few of these passed without Lionel coming up to me with a new anecdote, not always repeatable in polite company.
If asked what we remember most it would be his lack of pomposity, sense of humour and knowing that he was always good for a laugh.
We shall never forget him.
Michael Green.
We mourn the passing of our President and loyal friend Lionel. A true gentleman who always greeted you with a smile and a genuine joy of seeing you in the synagogue. Lionel was an example to us all and his knowledge of Judaism was paramount. We will miss him.
Our condolences go to Jean and all his family. We wish them all a "long life".
Brenda and Stuart Lee.
We only knew Lionel for a short time as we've only recently moved to the area. He was extremely welcoming and made us feel at home.
He was appreciative of our efforts to set up the website and recently e-mailed us a glowing testimonial. It was obvious that even at his age Lionel loved his IT and wanted to be involved with every aspect of the synagogue.
He will be missed.
Devorah and Richard Levy.
Last year I was seriously ill in hospital for several months and Lionel was "there" for me. He visited me many times with Jean and he emailed and phoned my wife, Shelley, on a regular basis to see if she was ok. He genuinely cared about other people and put himself out for them. He loved the internet and went to great lengths to find websites which he thought might help my illness - they did, and I am here to tell the tale.
I will miss his sagely advice and our banter on various subjects. He had a lovely sense of humour and usually managed to settle a heated discussion at a meeting with one of his one-liners. He took an interest in everything at the synagogue and was liked by the younger members, especially our son, Marc. He always made a point of speaking to the children. He had a razor sharp mind, a heart of gold and a lovely sense of humour. He was a true gentleman. Indeed he was a MENSCH.
Words cannot express how much Shelley, Marc and I will miss him and we wish Jean and the family a long life.
Shelley, Philip and Marc Freedman.
To a man I greatly admired and did so much for everyone.
Sandra Wiseman.
Lionel was one of the first members of the community I came to know (when I moved to Southend from New York City). He always welcomed my family and me and made me feel as though I had a family member nearby. His loss is our loss.
I’m just so glad I had the chance to get to know him and feel honoured that I had the chance to work alongside him when I was Chair of the Synagogue. Thank you Lionel.
Fern, Clive and Mark Potter.
"...I was really sad to hear Lionel had died; he was such an important, central figure at the synagogue. I will always remember his wisdom, his sense of humour, and his practical down to earth approach. He held the good of the synagogue absolutely at the centre of who he was.
Please convey my warm regards to the community, which I always think of fondly. Please also send my condolences on the loss of your dear President."
With affection
Rabbi Lee Wax.
"We wanted to send our condolences to you as a community on the death of Lionel Simmons.
We understand how important he has been to Southend and District Reform Synagogue and how much his passing will affect you all".
Woodford Progressive Synagogue.
