Community tributes to Dame Tessa Jowell who dies aged 70
Former Labour cabinet minister died at home on Saturday evening after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.
The Jewish community have been paying tribute to the former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell, who died at her home yesterday, aged 70.
Described by the Jewish Labour Movement as “building an everlasting bond with the Jewish community” during her time as a Parliamentary candidate for Ilford North and then as an MP and Cabinet Minister, she appeared at various Jewish community events, guest speaking at dinners and fundraisers.
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, senior rabbi of the Movement for Reform Judaism took to twitter to pay her respects, saying: “I can’t count the times Tessa Jowell wrote or say “Big Love” to me. It summed her up – brave, wise, visionary, funny, ideological, loving, compassionate. You were BIg Love and your memory is a blessing and an inspiration”.
Raymond Simonson, CEO of JW3, also tweeted his tribute, saying: “Very sad to read that Tessa Jowell has died. Spent a memorable evening with her at JW3 when she came to speak to a packed audience, who all loved her regardless of their political persuasion.”
We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of @TessaJowell z”l. From her time on Camden Council, Parliamentary Candidate for Ilford North and later as MP & Cabinet Minister she built an everlasting bond with the Jewish community. She was kind and brave until the end. https://t.co/fxgmhSbV2J
— JewishLabourMovement (@JewishLabour) May 13, 2018
Thinking today of Tessa Jowell. Here she is three years ago joining the Jewish community at Golders Green Together, a campaign highlighting positivity & solidarity in response to far right & antisemitic threats in the area.
Sending our thoughts and best wishes to Tessa's family. pic.twitter.com/BsT8txRDgJ— Board of Deputies of British Jews (@BoardofDeputies) May 14, 2018
The All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism (APPG) said: “Thoughts with the family & friends of Rt Hon Baroness Jowell DBE. Dame Tessa was one of the members of the 2015 All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism. Her contribution was superb. A kind, thoughtful & much valued colleague with a tremendous legacy. RIP.”
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