Remembering Rabbi Lee-a man who will never be forgotten by the community.

Sidra Neem, a member of Havering’s InterFaith Forum, pays tribute to Rabbi Lee Sunderland-a very special man.

The untimely passing of Rabbi Lee Sunderland is a loss for us all.  Few people have strived so hard to bring people of different Faiths and Cultures together.

 At the Annual Holocaust Day, commemorating the horrors that befell the Jewish community in Nazi Germany between 1932 and 1945, he was always quick to remind us of current holocausts in different parts of the world, stressing that this was not an event of the past and it was up to every one of us to do our best to prevent such atrocities. He would also reflect on how other faiths helped the Jews in the Holocaust and gave us the opportunity to spread unknown knowledge on this important subject.

 Back on 17 July 2003, religious leaders all over Havering were invited by the Baha’is of Havering to a meeting in the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch with the object of setting up Havering Inter Faith Network (its original name).  One of those attending was Jack Rose the secretary of the Romford Synagogue and he invited us to have our next meeting at the Synagogue.  This occurred in November 2003 and our host was Rabbi Lee Sunderland, who was thus involved with Havering Inter Faith Forum for over 20 years.  During this time he was so successful at reaching out to other faith representatives that a Ramadan fast breaking event was hosted in the Synagogue and at Yom Kippur Jewish Holy Day commemorated in the Mosque. Lee would often invite people from all faiths to Jewish festivals at the synagogue and without Lee’s determination to reach out to other faiths these would not have taken place.

Similarly, other representatives of Havering Interfaith forum now take part in Holocaust Day and Remembrance Sunday, again due to Lee’s influence.   

Rabbi Lee was known for his fantastic hospitality and food offered after both services, including during our committee meetings where he would often cook some of the food himself. 

Representatives from Islam and the Baha’i Faith attended his funeral, together with a Christian member of the Council and the local M.P; evidence again of how successfully he was able to reach out to others.   

It was also obvious how devoted he was to his duties as a Rabbi, often arriving at meetings having rushed from presiding at a funeral or some other event where his presence was essential. He was always busy in his task of ministering to others. The weekly council newsletter included a special tribute to him from the council leader, which included his inter faith activities. It seems strange to be having this meeting without him. 

We feel incomplete. 

He will not be forgotten!    

Rabbi Lee with Sidra and members of Havering’s InterFaith Forum.

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