Dear Cathryn, Brichto family, fellow mourners and friends,

I feel privileged to say a few words to remember Sidney on behalf of my dear wife Barbara as well as express the sentiments of many of the congregation here. 

For Sidney Brichto was my friend. 

I will not mention the details of all the charities and causes we worked on together – it was hard to say no to Sidney, from the Oxford Centre of Hebrew & Jewish Studies, Liberal Judaism, Just Journalism, IDT and even the Man Booker Literary Prize – because others have and will cover some of these.  I repeat – I remember Sidney as a friend. 

I also won’t cover his many academic and Rabbinic successes including his legendary high Holy Day sermons as again others have and will talk about these (in more detail), because to talk about such success may make him seem grand and pompous – he was not that – he was a good friend. 

Even his literary achievements could fill a full speech; again I would leave that to others.    

I choose to remember him as a friend, who came to see me when I was ill, who performed a beautiful silver wedding service for Barbara and I during a magical weekend in Spain about two and a half years ago.  I do remember that his hand shook as he finished the lovely warm service.  I remember asking him if he was suffering from emotion (as I am now) or an illness – “no” he said, “a bee stung me a few minutes before the service, but I didn’t want anything to upset your ceremony”.  That was Sidney – the consummate professional – as well as my friend.  

My other lasting memory – was of his youth - like laughter.  At a testimonial reception just over a year ago, Sidney enjoyed and appreciated all the words of praise from many august speakers – they were well deserved.  But the speech he enjoyed most was a “roasting” given by Dan Patterson – which was as near to rude as most people could bear – it was also incredibly funny – and Sidney roared with laughter – you see our friend Sidney could not take himself too seriously – he could laugh at himself. 

Sidney also adopted causes and fought for them unconditionally:

For Jewish values and Liberal Judaism;
For the State of Israel;
For literary freedom of expression;
For independent study and academic research;
For charities – so many;
And most of all, for his beloved family.

Also I believe he “adopted and fought” for all his friends. That is why I count myself so fortunate to have been one of his many friends. 

We will all miss him and may he rest in peace.