Obituary - Sidney ShiptonSidney Shipton, who died suddenly on 12 January 2008, devoted much of his life to work with voluntary and charitable organisations.For the last ten years he was Co-Ordinator of the Three Faiths Forum, a national interfaith dialogue forum for Muslims, Christians and Jews. He held posts in several other national and international voluntary organisations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Council of Christians and Jews. For some years he was the honorary secretary of the British Section of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists and honorary secretary and later vice chairman of the British Section of the World Jewish Congress. Appointed Executive Director in 1987 of Ta'ali, the world movement for a united Israel, Sidney organised an educational programme of lectures, talks and study sessions discussing Jewish heritage, history and communities, bringing together Jews of differing streams of Judaism, background and heritage with a view to promoting mutual understanding. He was active in B'nai B'rith, an international Jewish association whose objectives are 'benevolence, brotherly love and harmony'. He served on numerous committees and was a regular delegate and participant in national and international conferences. Last but not least, Sidney was of course a valued member of the Committee of Faith in Europe. We much appreciated his regular attendance at meetings, his thought-provoking contributions to discussions and his wide range of contacts. Sidney's enormous contribution to civil society was recognised in 2004, when he was awarded an OBE. Sidney will be remembered for his unfailing courtesy and patience, and for his conscientious commitment to so many voluntary causes which have helped to bring together people from a variety of backgrounds, disciplines and faiths. |
Home + Briefings
