Community loses a true leader
Leaders across the community have paid tribute to Jeremy Spinak, who died at the age of 36 today.
THE community lost one of it’s most respected leaders when Jeremy Spinak, who stepped down as NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBOD) president less than three months ago, died at the age of 36 this morning (Thursday).
After several months in hospital, Spinak was diagnosed with an extremely rare cancer, pericardial mesothelioma, in June.
In his final public address in August, Spinak, who had twins with his wife Rhiannon last year, was hopeful but knew that there was no cure for his illness.
“Many of you have asked what you can do for me,” Spinak said.
“If you really want to know, at all times, no matter what happens, when you bump into my children, Grace and Michael, in the future bore them with your recollections of me and bore them with stories of just how fantastic I was.
“Tell them your memories and please give them a sense of what it was like working with their dad.”
And he thanked the community, reminding everyone how lucky they are to be a part of the Australian Jewish community.
“I don’t think I understood the special nature of our community as I have come to understand it over the last few weeks.”
People across the community have paid tribute to Spinak.
JBOD leaders Vic Alhadeff and Lesli Berger said in a statement that Spinak was a “much-loved and greatly respected leader of the community”.
“His contribution to enhanced political bipartisanship, a nuanced approach to advocacy and engagement with all sectors within the Jewish community were features of his presidency.
“His influence on our approach to representing the community, coalition-building, legislative reform, child protection and supporting marriage equality were among the numerous achievements which will be his lasting legacy both to our organisation and the entire community. He helped make the community safer.”
They also said that he possessed a sharp intellect and keen sense of humour, but most importantly, he was a mensch, devoting countless hours to JBOD despite a demanding career and his responsibilities as a young husband and father.
“Jeremy’s light shone brightly, but not long enough.
“He will be deeply missed by all Board of Deputies staff, executive members and deputies and the entire community.”
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) leaders said in a statement that Spinak’s death is an an “unspeakable tragedy” for his family and the community.
“His passing is a great loss to all of us. At 36 years of age, he had a wise head on young shoulders,” ECAJ president Anton Block, co-CEOs Peter Wertheim and Alex Ryvchin, and immediate past-president Robert Goot said in a statement.
“Jeremy was well liked and respected by everyone who knew him. He had excellent judgement and a compassionate, Jewish heart. In all his communal work he was a conciliator, a healer and a unifier.
“He was a true mensch.”
Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said she was deeply saddened and shocked.
“Jeremy was an authentic, generous and intelligent communal leader and my heart goes out to his young family, his wife Rhiannon and children Grace and Michael.”
Deputy Opposition Leader in the NSW Legislative Council Walt Secord said news of Spinak’s passing spread through the corridors of the NSW Parliament.
“We were all overcome with a dark cloud of sadness,” he said.
“Those who knew Jeremy as a friend, a work colleague and as a Jewish community leader loved him and admired his commitment to public service.
“Jeremy was a warm and caring person who loved everyone, his family and his community – and never had a harsh word for another person. Jeremy lived by the principle of Tikkun Olam.”
State Member for Heffron Ron Hoenig said he was heartbroken at the passing of one of the most amazing human beings he had the privilege to meet.
“His contribution, not just to the Jewish community, but to Australia as a whole, will never be forgotten,” Hoenig said.
“I am struggling to cope with the tragedy of his passing.”
And NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian recently described Spinak as “an amazing and remarkable human being”.
“Words cannot express how we feel about Jeremy personally,” she said.
“Very few human beings or community leaders make a difference to NSW, and Jeremy is one of those.”
Former NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said the world was “a sadder place” with the passing of his “dear friend”.
“He was an outstanding leader of our Jewish community and of our multicultural society,” he said.
“Jeremy worked closely with both a conservative government and a Labor opposition to further the interests of the state’s Jewry. He was a bridge builder.
“He was a mensch. May he rest in peace, and may his family and friends find comfort among the mourners of Zion.”
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