We asked participants to contribute how Malcolm featured in their lives.
Here is what they said...
Ed Horwich with Malcolm Weisman 2022
Mark Michaels
Welshpool
We knew him as an occasional visitor then as my chaplain when Mayor of Montgomery a very small rural town on the Welsh side of the mid Wales/Shropshire border. He came to participate in the last British Legion Peace Parade and service. He was to participate with the Rector (who was seriously ill) and the British Legion minister (leading the service). The minister was involved in a very serious car accident on the way leaving the poorly Rector and Malcolm. Malcolm of course stepped up gave the main "sermon/talk" and behind the scenes supported the Rector to run the event - of course taking no credit at all. Even now 20 years on people ask us about that wonderful Rabbi!
Clare Ray
Harrogate
I first met Malcolm in Southampton where I was a student at the University 1964-1967.
More recently I've seen him at the National Memorial Arboretum and in Harrogate.
Debbie Carp
Walford Road
My husband was in the RAF when we met, and Rev Weismann subsequently married us in London.
Martin Morris
Stoke-on-Trent
Malcolm Weisman has been a friend of the Stoke community for over thirty years. He conducted the deconsecration service at our old Synagogue in Hanley (back in 2006) and the consecration service at our new Synagogue in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the same year. He also, with the Bishop of Lichfield (Michael Ipgrave), conducted our 10th Anniversary service in 2016. He has visited us many times over the years to give talks on a variety of subjects, Jewish related, of course, and used our house as a halfway comfort break for a cuppa and to eat a lot of my home-made chopped herring on matzo.
Maurice Fellman
Staines
Went to services with him in St. Johns, Jersey
Joe Burchell
Catford
As I have been associated with the Catford and Bromley Synagogue in South East London for 50+ years Malcolm often used to pop in on his trips to the small communities in the Kent area. I have had many fond memories of our chats and he will remember our lovely Minister of 40 years Rabbbi Rockman who was a real community Rabbi just like Malcolm .
David Freund
Progressive and Reform
My father Dr Hans Freund, living at that time in Golders Green, when he retired taught the Jewish Boys at Harrow and then the Jewish Girls at Wycombe Abbey School. Meetings were held at the Jewish Memorial Council Office on a regular basis. I would accompany my father in the later stages of his long career, and eventually took over from him for a while. During this time I often met Malcolm there and at other venues.
Seeing his fine portrait on the cover reminds me of a lovely fellow, and just like my Dad slightly older, a generation which were truly remarkable men, full of humanity, contributing to promoting our Jewish traditions and re-strengthening our lives in the aftermath of the trauma of the Shoah.
For me, Malcolm was so important in showing and supporting the small communities, that they were not marginalised, and his hard work brought them into the fold with personal warmth and enthusiasm. A toast to Malcolm."
Anne Rowan
Cheltenham
Malcolm assisted in my marriage at Cheltenham Synagogue in the early 80s. My family have known him for over 60 years.
Ian Lancaster
formerly Chatham Memorial Synagogue
Chatham was one of the earliest communities that Malcolm took under his wing as Minister for Small Communities, when I was but a teenager. He instituted the monthly abridged Shabbat morning services, which was a brilliant move, showing his pragmatic approach because this recognised the fact that this tiny community (albeit with a beautiful shul) still comprised several shopkeepers and others who needed to work on Saturdays.
David Brauner
Jerusalem, Israel
Myself and my wife Ruth Morris, have know Malcolm Weisman since our university days (me at Edinburgh U. 1971-2 and Ruth at Bradford U. 1967-9, and again both at Lancaster U. 1991-2). When we were at Lancaster, we arranged a lunchen meeting for the very small Jewish Community there with Malcolm and the then President of the Board of Deputies, Israel Finestein. Yours, David and Ruth
Hannah Bloom
Sinai, Leeds
I used to live near Wellingborough and he'd visit our group regularly. His info was fascinating, he was a military chaplin too.
Michelle Green
Harrogate and Leeds
Malcolm and Rosalie and the boys used to come to Harrogate and stay at my parents' hotel, the Manor Hotel. My mum, Lili Pollock, was very fond of the family and all my many books that I had finished reading, were shared with the boys! As a family we would also visit his Aunt, Millie Segal, the daughter of the emeritus second minister Rev Segal of the Harrogate Shul and take her my Mum's speciality Viennese cakes and biscuits! I have wonderful memories of Malcolm's words of wisdom. He came to my dear Mum's stonesetting and told me he had just seen Lili Pollock in London! Lili had Bern featured at an exhibition celebrating Viennese Refugees, called Double Exposure at the Austrian embassy and the historian Bea Lefkowicz had featured my mum in video form and on a large plinth, too. I later that week I also specially went to view the exhibition with my daughter Suzi.
Barbara & Ian Gordon
Worthing & District Jewish Community
We have known Malcolm in Worthing for over 20 years and he and the late Rosalie have also stayed with us in our home.
He would come to Worthing at least twice a year, particularly for Chanukah.
Malcolm had a very old friend Roddie McDowell, a retired vicar, from his days at University who lives here in our village of East Preston. Whenever we knew Malcolm was coming we would contact Roddie. One particular memory is of the two of them in our home one Friday evening over supper when they tried to outdo each other with their jokes.
Malcolm has been an honourable and wise friend to us in Worthing over the years and we particularly want to be included on this special occasion. "
Jeff Berger
Wembley Sephardi
I've met Malcolm several times over the last 20 years - and always walked away from our conversations feeling enriched. In those days, his passion, dedication, and tireless commitment to small communities around the UK left me deeply inspired. His work is legendary. Peripatetic preacher, community supporter, consoling friend, all wrapped up in one. I deeply admire his fierce advocacy for preserving tradition and keeping communities in the provinces going year after year. Thank you, dear Malcolm.
Peter Beyfus
Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation
I remember Malcolm visiting Exeter Hebrew Congregation on many occasions. He was always interested to hear about community events, had an excellent relationship with the then President, Frank Gent z"l. His successor as Minister for Small Communities, Elkan Levy, followed Malcolm’s fruitful years as a great supporter of far-flung communities.
Ms Carole Shaw
formerly Portsmouth, Worthing, Brighton
He officiated at family bar mitzvahs
Rosalie Tobe
Mosaic Reform/ Three Counties liberal comunity
Friends over many years, via Parmiter's School, Montgomery.
Dr Walter Rothschild
formerly Bradford
I still have somewhere some copies of 'Menorah', he came once to speak (very well) to a weekend of the Progressive Jewish Students Commission I organised around 1978...... My own community (Bradford) did not need his attentions but I was always impressed as a rabbinic stuent how much he seemed to get around.
Thank you so much for these stories. Malcolm came to the Isle of Wight every year to lead the Purim celebrations. Such a gentle and gracious man. We all enjoyed his presence so much.
I was a member of the Jersey Jewish community during the middle 1980s, in its heyday (when it was led, inter alia, by the marvellous Regal family). During that time, Malcolm was seemingly an almost ever present Rabbi at our Jewish festivals. Little did I know then how many other communities he looked after as well as being in almost full-time legal practice. He must have performed the work of five people split between all his different roles. His energy and focus on the Jersey congregation was truly remarkable instantly remembering anecdotes about and knowledge of congregants from one visit to the next. Malcolm really was the most wonderful, kind person who added so much to Jewish life on the island of Jersey. He was learned in Jewish tradition and spoke with authority, but at the same time had a gentle and kind nature. He was welcoming to all people, of whatever Jewish background, knowing that in small communities, Halacha cannot always observed to the letter. Who can forget though Malcolm’s starring “walk on” role in Bergerac, for which I attach a link at 18 minutes 32 seconds (but rewind a few minutes for the full service at Jersey Synagogue) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6tbzl5. Thanks to Malcolm, attendances in Jersey’s synagogue were often standing room only in the years we lived there and this video clip gives a flavour of those days with Malcolm at the helm. I wish every success to this book.