with sexuality, with identity, with fear, with simply being human. We rightly celebrate his skill as a communicator, as a speaker and a writer, his work in television and his unsurpassed contribution to Thought for the Day on Radio 4, where he was the nation’ s Rabbi – how we miss his wisdom, humour, humanity, and insight into our common human condition. We must in this academic setting recognise and honour his remarkable intellect – he was a giant and I would listen with awe to the sheer depth of his learning. We can celebrate his contribution to Anglo-Jewish life and spirituality, and not least, and I say this as a fellow liturgist, in the three volume service books, Forms of Prayer for Jewish Worship for the Reform Synagogues of Great Britain. But, here today, I would like to honour his contribution to this College and University. Lionel and Jim gave themselves fully to College and University life. Not only was Lionel sought after as a speaker in Colleges, societies, and Departments, but he loved simply being with students, whether that was a conversation over a meal or in the bar, or around the corridors. Lionel loved to listen to students, to share jokes with them, and where appropriate to give counsel and advice. He had a particular role with LGTB + members of the University, where his support and advice was invaluable. He organised some unforgettable seminars here in Grey, exploring issues of faith and life, where he was concerned that there should be diverse and informed debate. He would sum up the key issues with magisterial clarity. When addressing students in Hall, he would always say,‘ Remember your successes make you clever but your failures make you wise. In an age where everyone has to appear to be a winner, this importance of failure for psychological health is often overlooked.’ Lionel had time for individuals. I used to notice how he gave everyone their full human worth and without distinction – whether you were an eminent visiting Professor or a porter, an undergraduate or a member of the domestic staff. And I have to say, personally, that Lionel made me think about how I relate to people – he made my religion more authentic. And how we loved his humour – I remember one of his birthday celebrations in the Pennington, when after supper we simply had a jokes session. We laughed until our sides ached! And of course, there are symbols of his time here – Lionel and Jim gave the barometer and the gong in the SCR, and bought the picture Calvary, the work of one of our students, Ben Perkins, to adorn this Chapel. It was therefore only fitting that Lionel should be honoured as a Fellow of this College and in the bestowal of an Honorary Doctorate by this University. In Lionel Blue – My Obituary, broadcast at the time of his death, Lionel described this life as‘ a departure lounge’. I chose the reading from Job, because in some ways, Job is a character I sense Lionel would identify with. Job struggled and wrestled with life and suffering, he asked many questions of God and the book is a protest against simplistic, uncritical religious platitudes. And yet in all his suffering and testing, and all that was simply beyond comprehension, Job’ s faith prevailed and in the end he found his peace.‘ I know that my Redeemer lives – at the last I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold’. Lionel showed us something authentic about God. I for one, as a fellow pilgrim, have been helped a few more steps along the way by knowing Lionel. I believe and trust that I and we shall see him again in glory. May he rest in peace and may his memory be a blessing to us all.
UPPER Lionel and Joan Norton await an afternoon tea on the SCR trip to Wallington Hall LOWER Lionel and Foster Neville( centre) take a tour around Wallington Hall
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