Rudi Leavor BEM

31 May 1926 – 27 July 2021

Former President and Chairman of the Bradford Synagogue

“After the reading of the Torah and procession before it was returned to the Ark, Rudi would come up from among the congregation and would sing Uv’nucho Yomar.  This is eight phrases; it’s a mosaic of biblical verses beginning with some verses in Numbers, then going on to Psalms and finally Lamentations.

In English:  Whenever the Ark was set down Moses would say ‘Adonai may you dwell among  the myriad families of the people Israel. Return, Adonai, to your Sanctuary, You and your glorious Ark. I have given you a precious inheritance. Do not forsake my Torah.  She is a tree of life for those who grasp it, and all who hold onto it are blessed. Her
ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’

Throughout his life Rudi was part of that Torah, never forsaking it, and he was blessed with a great family and with so many friends that nobody could in fact even number them. He was a man dedicated to peace all his life, so what he was singing in a way reflected him as a person. His ways were always pleasant and all his paths were peace.” 

                                                                                                    Rabbi Douglas Charing