Lionel Blue
| Lionel Blue OBE | |
|---|---|
| Rabbi | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
6 February 1930 London, England |
| Died | 19 December 2016 (aged 86) |
| Denomination | Reform Judaism |
| Residence | London |
| Spouse | Jim Cummings (1981–2014) |
| Occupation | Rabbi |
| Alma mater |
Balliol College, Oxford University of London Leo Baeck College |
Lionel Blue, OBE (6 February 1930 – 19 December 2016) was a British Reform rabbi, journalist and broadcaster, described by The Guardian as "one of the most respected religious figures in the UK". He was best known for his longstanding work with the media, most notably his wry and gentle sense of humour on Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He was the first British rabbi publicly to declare his homosexuality.
Blue was born in the East End of London in 1930. His parents were Jews of Russian origin and his father worked as a tailor. Blue did not receive a religious education, declaring that he lost his religious faith at the age of five after a petitionary prayer failed to remove Adolf Hitler and Oswald Mosley. Instead, Blue became interested in Marxism. He entered Hendon County School at sixth form level, following education in the East End and a year out of school at age 16–17. He served in the British Army but was discharged after suffering a nervous breakdown brought on by anxiety over his closet homosexuality.
Blue read History at Balliol College, Oxford and Semitics at the University of London. He regained his faith while at the University of Oxford, when he found some resolution to severe personal conflicts regarding his sexual orientation at a Quaker meeting. He also found Victor Gollancz's A Year of Grace helpful during this time, and finally became one of the first two students at Leo Baeck College for training rabbis in 1956.
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