Community mourns Holocaust-education champion and ‘true gentleman’ Jeffrey Pinnick

The community is mourning the loss of Jeffrey Pinnick OBE, the former treasurer of the Board of Deputies and a leading figure in Holocaust commemoration, who has died aged 89.

Born in December 1935, Pinnick trained as a chartered accountant and went on to devote more than five decades to Jewish communal service. He held senior roles across multiple organisations, including as chair of Yad Vashem UK, chair of the Yom HaShoah Forum, and a trustee of the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, Boys Town Jerusalem, and Pikuach.

He was also instrumental in the founding of the All Abroad charity shop network, launched in the 1980s to raise funds for Jewish and local causes, and played a key role in rebuilding Mill Hill Synagogue and advancing Yad Vashem’s Guardian of the Memory campaign to preserve the names of Holocaust victims.

In the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Pinnick was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Holocaust commemoration and education. Reflecting on the award, he said it came as “a complete surprise”, adding: “I was so grateful that I had even been considered worthy of such an award. Hopefully, it will also reflect on the amazing survivors and refugees of the Holocaust, as well as the wonderful people I have had the privilege of working with on these causes over all this period.”

In a statement, the Board of Deputies said: “Jeffrey made an outstanding contribution to Jewish life in this country, including … through his efforts on behalf of Yad Vashem UK, Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Survivors’ Centre, All Abroad, Boys Town Jerusalem and Pikuach. We will miss him terribly and wish a long life to his wife, Pamela, children Caroline Laitman, Richard Pinnick, Deanne Salamon, and all the family.”

Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “Everyone at the Holocaust Educational Trust is saddened at the loss of Jeffrey Pinnick – a tireless champion of Holocaust remembrance.

“Jeffrey’s legacy will endure for generations. We will miss him every year when the Jewish community gathers on Yom HaShoah and we will remember his commitment to our shared cause. His legacy will live on through the work of Yad Vashem UK and the Board of Deputies, both of which he served with unwavering dedication.

“We remember Jeffrey with fondness and deep appreciation, always there to offer support, guidance and encouragement. May his memory be a blessing.”

In a statement to Jewish News, the family said: “A true gentleman, who devoted his life not only to family, but the whole Jewish community. Humble in his ways and everything that he achieved, but leaving behind a huge legacy. Will be forever missed by his family and all who knew him.”