Simon Benscher obituary

In the mid-2000s Simon Benscher was made honorary life president of his synagogue, Woodford Liberal, now part of East London and Essex Liberal. Photograph: Yakir Zur

My friend Simon Benscher, who has died aged 69 of sepsis, was an important figure in the Liberal Judaism group (now part of Progressive Judaism) in the UK, and an exemplary civil society leader.

A former chair of the organisation, his unstinting passion was building connections with more than 40 Liberal Jewish communities and members across the UK, contributing to the development of Progressive Judaism in the country.