In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Rabbi Lionel Blue passed away in 2016, leaving behind many memo-
ries and friends. Here is the memorial addres given by a former Grey
College Chaplain, Revd Canon Dr David Kennedy
I feel deeply honoured to have
this opportunity to speak of
Rabbi Lionel Blue who, for fifteen
years, was so much a part of the
life of Grey College and Durham
University.
Lionel’s membership of Grey was
down to one man, his friend Hen-
ry Dyson. Henry brought many
distinguished people into the life
of this College – we are surround-
ed by Thetis Blacker’s work in
this Chapel - and it was through
Henry that Lionel first came to
Grey with his partner Jim, when
Victor Watts was Master. Most
summer terms would find them
here among us. They loved living
in their flat in Grey and we are so
grateful to Karen our Bursar for
enabling this, and what a blessing
they were to us.
I first met Henry and Lionel on
my very first day as Chaplain
of this College in 2001. I was in
the vestry, robing for my first
service. Henry knocked on the
door, introduced himself, and
informed me that in the congre-
gation would be Rabbi Lionel
and another distinguished Rabbi
from the United States. It was
Eastertide and I’d prepared a
booklet for the Eucharist. It was
full of Passover imagery from a
Christian perspective and I was
terrified it would cause offence.
At communion time, Lionel and
his colleague came forward. I
knew they wouldn’t be receiving
communion, but we have a tra-
dition of giving a blessing. I kind
of panicked – what should I say?
A Christological blessing would
be unthinkable – I know, I’ll use
the Jewish priestly blessing, but,
help, can I as a Christian priest
do that? By that time, Lionel was
before me, so I extended my
hand and said, ‘Rabbi Blue, may
the Lord bless you and keep you’.
Lionel looked up, smiled, and
said ‘Thank you very much.’ I’d
needn’t have worried, because
here was the greatest affirmation
I could ever have received, and
I have to say, that the welcome
Janet, I and of course our six year
old daughter Claire, received that
night, showed what an extraordi-
nary community we had joined.
Over drinks that evening, we
had – well, it must have been two
hours of brilliant discussion with
the group of students present.
And I have to say, that in their
terms of residency each year and
on other visits, Lionel and Jim
worshipped with us on Thursdays,
and on Sundays, they would often
come down to the Cathedral for
the 11.15 service. Lionel said he
liked our short services, and he
loved the after service drinks and
discussion and we loved to have
him among us. Here was the true
spirit of ecumenism, which arose
from a conviction that we all
worship the same God, and seek
authentic not false religion. He
often quoted the words an old
Rabbi had told him, ‘Judaism is
your religious home and not your
religious prison’. And he believed
and taught that religion at its
best should lead to open-mind-
edness, tolerance, compassion
and actively working to mend
the world. At its worst it leads to
bigotry, self-righteousness, and if
unchecked, persecution.
There are many aspects of
Lionel’s life we could celebrate
today. His breath-taking hon-
esty about his struggles, with
faith, with God, with religion,
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