We had a friend - his name was Sidney Brichto. After the service, take a look at the Photograph in front of the lectern. It is the Sidney we knew and loved: youthful and vibrant (the rebbe wore jeans!) with a warm welcoming smile, and a face full of love and intelligence. Now he has departed from us and a bright shining light has been taken out of our lives.

I am going to say a few words about his work with the Israel/Diaspora Trust.

In 1982, in the aftermath of Israel's invasion of Lebanon, the siege of Beirut and the Phalangist massacre of Palestinians in Sabra and Chatilla, two leading members of the community saw the need to redress the failing loss of support for Israel in the Western world. They founded the Israel Diaspora Trust as an educational group which would attract Jews in positions of influence in the wider community to engage in informed discussions led by expert speakers. Sidney was the obvious choice to act as Executive Director of the Trust. Through his work in the community he had established an incomparable reputation and mutual respect with eminent men of action and high intellect who trusted his integrity and his love of Judaism and Israel. They enhanced our discussions and helped us to access world class speakers: As I cast my mind back I think of occasions when we sat and talked to Cardinals, and to Archbishops. We sat around a table with  United  Synagogue rabbonim together with rabbis from Masorti and the Progressive and Liberal movements. I remember an evening with four Jewish Secretaries of State.  In Harold MacMillan's words, the old Estonians who had replaced the old Etonians.  Leading journalists and academics, and on two occasions the representative of the PLO in London joined in our discussions.

I must also mention the programme of exchanges between the best Jewish legal brains in Britain with leading Israeli judges and legal academics which was organised by Sidney together with an eminent member of the profession. Within a few years of this exchange, the British team included non Jews, and the project was recognised by the Lord Chancellor's Department which became its official sponsor, with the consequence that Israel became one of only five countries with whom Britain had official legal exchanges

... and there was so much more. The development of the IDT was substantially due to Sidney. The respect for him within the community and well beyond, and his quiet charm and intellect made it difficult to resist his invitations.

Jill and I have enjoyed the friendship of Sidney and Cathryn for nearly forty years, and we feel bewildered by his death. The only consolation that we can find is that we had the good fortune that our paths crossed and we were able to enjoy the warmth of his friendship, his sense of humour, benefit from his advice, and when he spoke in his quiet, calm manner, listen, wrapt to the closely woven ideas which flowed so easily, logically, into a blanket of wisdom.

But ... "When comes such another?"

Clinton Silver CBE
Israel Diaspora Trust