Tributes To US Leader

by Justin Cohen - Wednesday 27th August 2008


A senior United Synagogue leader was this week remembered for his "passion for the Jewish community" and his dedication to family life after he died suddenly on Monday.

Michael Rosen, who stood for the US presidency in 2005, passed away as he celebrated his daughter's marriage at The Grove just hours after watching her tie the knot.

Top stories

email this page to a friend print this page email the editor buy this content
The 65-year-old, who had an extensive career as a director in the supermarket sector, was a past chairman of Pinner shul and more recently served the United Synagogue as a Council member and Chairman of the Council Governance Committee. Other communal activities included being an advisor to the Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade and support for various charities including Jewish Care.

"The whole of the United Synagogue family of communities is shocked to hear about Michael's tragic death," said US President Simon Hochhauser. "Working closely with him, I and my colleagues were captivated by his passion for the Jewish community. His principled dedication to the values of democracy and transparency were unequalled. We send his family, together with his colleagues and friends in Pinner, our warmest condolences."

Shock at their one-time senior warden's "sudden and untimely" death was also expressed in a message from Pinner Synagogue. Saying its prayers were with Michael's family, it read: "Michael devoted many years of his life selflessly serving both Pinner and the whole Jewish community."

The father-of-three was also set to become a full member of the London Board for Shechita, whose Executive Director David Rose told TJ: "I had the privilege of working with Michael on the United Synagogue and Governance Committee of the London Board for Shechita for the past four years. I always appreciated his experience and foresight into the way the community should operate. During the all too short time he worked with us, he made a unique contribution thanks to his expertise in retail. All the members have appreciated his participation and were deeply shocked by the news of his death."

But Michael's efforts for others also went well beyond the Jewish community and he served as a governor at Middlesex University as well as a non-executive director at Hillingdon Hospital Trust.

Ahead of his funeral at Bushey Cemetery yesterday, tributes continued to pour in. A friend of the family said: "Michael was a dedicated family man and a true and enthusiastic servant of the community for many years whose contributions were deeply valued. A great loss to his family and the community, he will be sorely missed by all." Another friend described him as a "great man", adding: "He was a good, loyal friend. We are devastated. It's a great shock which will reverberate throughout the whole community."

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.