Rabbi Charles Wallach z”l

Reform Judaism mourns Rabbi Charles Wallach z”l who died on 23 August. He was 69.

Rabbi Charles Wallach was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Graduating with the class of 1975 at Leo Baeck College he served communities around the world with great vigour and enthusiasm including Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue which he served for 10 years between 1977 and 1988.

Whether it was a community in Australia or Israel, the UK or South Africa, he worked confidently and proudly as a Progressive Jew.

A former member of the National Religious Leaders Forum of South Africa which was set up by Nelson Mandela, Rabbi Wallach had his own programme on South African radio and scripted and presented the first ever Jewish religious service on both British and Australian television.

He also held senior roles within the South Africa Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ), South African Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR), and the South African Zionist Federation.

Our condolences go to his wife Marilyn, and their daughters and grandchildren. May his memory be a blessing.