We invite you to share your memories, thoughts and condolences for Rabbi Alan Plancey MBE, who passed away on Sunday 8 June 2025, 12 Sivan 5785 and Rebbetzin Miriam Plancey, who passed away on Friday 13 June 2025, 17 Sivan 5785.
Rabbi and Rebbetzin touched the lives of so many through their kindness and commitment to helping others. Please use this online book of condolences to share your memories and thoughts of them both.
Your messages will be shared with the family and will be a source of comfort to them during this extremely difficult time.
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379 Comments.
Wishing the families of Rabbi And Rebbetzin Plancey a long life.
What fond memories I have of them. Rabbi Plancey always supported my family and was a key part of my Barmitzvah – to sum him up, he volunteered to be a goalkeeper in a game for the whole party. A man who always managed to make you smile. A loss to the World.
Standing outside the Planceyâs house yesterday felt sad and surreal.
They were the beating heart of our community in Borehamwood for so many years.
We were so lucky to have moved to Borehamwood over 30 years ago and be part of the wonderful and vibrant community that they built together.
They were such a fantastic team and so welcoming.
We were honoured that they were at all our smachot as our family grew.
We will miss them enormously but we will make sure that we carry on helping to keep our community vibrant in their honour.
Whilst they have left a huge void in our community, we will ensure to keep smiling as we think of all the wonderful times we were blessed to spend with them as they led our community.
The end of an amazing era and an incredible partnership. Rabbi Plancey was with me for all my familyâs lifecycle events – loss of a baby, birth and bat-mitzvah of both of my children, parental loss and everything in between. He was a constant source of quiet comfort and great strength.
Being involved with all things BES for over 30 years instilled a great respect for him, together with Miriam whose endless phone calls, words of comfort and wisdom, plates of treats, and open house, meant that they were ALWAYS there for anyone and everyone at any time of day, or night. They welcomed everyone , and, whilst building the Borehamwood community gave as much, if not more to their community than to their own family. Rabbi P often joked that Borehamwood was his 5th child!
May Hashem bless and comfort Suzy, Nechama, Meir and Nussi and all their families. ×××× ×ר××××
Miriam radiated kindness and love, when you needed it or when you didnât realise you needed it. Her phone calls or Shabbat and Yom tov meals were always accompanied by her questions of who do you see? Who are you friendly with?! When the Rabbi was involved in a heated story she would always calm him down with âAlanâ- and remind him of something heâd forgotten or hadnât considered. From her perch in the doorway to the kitchen she managed every conversation and knew everything. In the same way that she supported the Rabbi from behind the scenes and shunned the limelight so she left this world in the same way- letting her beloved husband have centre stage with her following behind. I hope that they are now reunited and I am sorry for all the missed opportunities to visit them or call them- not that this ever dimmed the constancy of their love and support for us. Wishing Nussi, Meir, Suzy and Nechama a long life and only simchas from now on
My dear Friend Rebbitzen Miriam was a caring, kind, non judgemental lady with a heart of pure gold. She “taught” me Hebrew after many years of my struggling to be able to read. I say “taught” as it was always 5 minutes of reading and 55 mins of chat with breakfast thrown in! I learnt more with her weekly 5 mins than I ever did at Cheder when I was a child. Over the following years we became good friends and am so sad at her passing. A true Eshet Chayil. May her memory be a blessing and wishing the family again a long life.
I wish Rabbi and Rebbetzin Plancey’s family a long life. They were truly wonderful people. Rabbi Plancey exemplified what a rabbi should be. He participated in much joy in our family and also was such a comfort to our family during some very difficult times. The family should know that Rabbi and Miriam had a profound impact on so many people’s lives. They will always have a special place in our hearts. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
My husband, Martin, & I wish the Plancey family long life. I am sure their memories are A1 but it must be heart breaking for them to lose their parents/grandparents so near to each other. We are members of Bushey United Shul & often saw the Rabbi @ events, including a Scottish evening which was great fun. He & the Rebbetzin were the Rabbinical team @ the Normandie Hotel some years ago over Pesach & made it a Yomtov to remember. They were really special & will never be forgotten by everyone who knew them, Jew or Gentile. They don’t make them like that any more!
Rebbetzen Plancey made sure I came to her husband’s attention when I was brought briefly to an Oneg Shabbat for younger singles than me when visiting London . They were a very caring couple.
So very sad to hear the passing of both Rabbi Plancy and Miriam.
Growing up in Elstree, my early memories of being at BES, always included both Rabbi Plancy and Miriam. Rabbi Plancy was always there for our family in times of need or even for a chat – he was our constant in our lives. Miriam supported my Bat Chayil studies and Rabbi Plancy married my husband and I, I was so chuffed that he was part of our big day.
They will be very missed, wishing their family a long life.
I remember Miriam went to Gateshead for a weekend and met Alan. It was love from the very beginning, and their relational stayed that way for all of the 59+ years they were married. They gave their all to the communities they lived in, and Miriam cooked for everyone who needed love and care during times that they were ill. They made the congregants feel like close family and their hands on approach meant that their membership numbers blossomed to make it one of the most important communities in the US. I shall miss them terribly.
When we moved to Borehamwood, the Planceys lived in the next street. Rabbi Plancey welcomed our family into the community and made a deal with my father: he would prepare me for my bar mitzvah, and my father would tutor his daughter for her English A-levels.I would visit the house every week for a year and began coming regularly to Shaul on Shabbat.
At my bar mitzvah, he blessed me before the congregation and ended with something unusual to say to a boy from a non-religious home: “Simon, the Jewish people need rabbis. You should study for the rabbinate.” That push probably helped set my life’s course.
Later we lived far away, but we established a Bnei Akiva youth group branch with friends in his community. We became regulars at the Plancey Shabbat table and enjoyed both his excellent Scottish humour, Rebbezen Miriamâs warm hosting, and the lovely interactions with the family. For me, the model of a full Shabbat table was a revelation and naturally became something I adopted for myself.
I received tremendous help from him years after I moved to Israel, reflecting a rabbinic humanity that I take as my own model.
He was a good Jew who exemplified the classic community rabbi – visiting the sick, comforting mourners, and deeply involved in the broader local community, Miriam was an ideal Rebbetzen . The community they built is a true living memorial to their legacy
I went to a refresher Hebrew course with Mirriam when Adam was 4 and Zoe was 2 just so I would be able to keep up with their Hebrew homework. That was 31 years ago. Since then Mirriam and Rabbi Plancey shared many good times and some not so good over the years. Forever offering wise words and support through it all. May their memory be a blessing.
I came to the community 33 years ago as a single mother on income support. Every Friday Miriam left a food parcel outside my door and would check on me to see how I was coping. I trained to be a nurse and during this time one of my sons was unwell. Both Rabbi and Miriam were there to support me through this difficult time. Once qualified, I became a hospice nurse and would often call on Rabbi Plancey to visit patients. His support and gentleness was so beautiful to watch with dying patients. He gave them such courage and reassurance. He also worked with staff to teach them about spirituality.
He married me to my husband and supported us through a difficult time. Both he and Miriam attended our wedding. He encouraged Stephen to attend Shul ensuring he put his tfilin on correctly.
Whenever Miriam was unwell he would call me and ask me to visit to help alleviate her fear.
Our thanks to the family for speaking to us in the hospital on Friday and allowing me to fulfill his wish.
The world has lost 2 wonderful people but their love and kindness will live on forever.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family
We wish you long life
It is with deep sadness that I write this message in memory of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Plancey.
When I joined the community 30 years ago with my now husband (not of the faith) we were embraced with warmth, kindness, and genuine welcome. Rabbi Plancey played a big role in helping our daughter move from another school to gain a place at HJPS just 14 days after it opened, an act of generosity and care that has had a lasting impact on our family.
Both Rabbi and Rebbetzin Plancey made us feel included and valued from the very beginning. Their warmth, wisdom, and compassion have touched countless lives.
Their loss is a profound one, but their memory, their teachings, and their legacy of love and inclusion will live on in our hearts and in the community they helped build.
May their memories be a blessing.
End of a era :
Our close friends Rabbi Alan and Rebbetzin Miriam , we have had the privilege of knowing them well over the last 41 years, we were deeply saddened to hear of their passing .
Together they built an amazing community and their pastoral care
should be an example to us all.
This kindness and support was extend to us when we lost our daughter Jessica z/l, which was never forgotten.
We all together participated in each other Simchas.
Rabbi Alan and Miriam became honorary members of our wider Mann family and joined us at our last family weekend at The New Ambassador Hotel , Bournemouth.
We will miss the weekly calls we had.
To Suzy, Nechama , Meir and Nussi ,
we wish you all long life .
May their memory be a blessing.
So sad to hear that Miriam passed so soon , she will be remembered for her gentle soul and kind words as a couple they were the backbone of society and community . May their memories be a blessing
We were very sad to hear of the passing of Rabbi Plancey and now Miriam.
Rabbi Plancey was very welcoming when we came to Borehamwood as a newly married couple . Thanks to his invitation for Shabbat lunch we got to know our now best friends in the area. Rabbi Plancey was always there if you needed him and in sad times Miriam would phone to ask if she could do anything to help. As an example of how Rabbi Plancey was well thought of outside the community, when my father was in what was the Princess Alexandra Home the staff said how much they liked our Rabbi and actually enjoyed his visits.
We wish Rabbi Plancey’s and Miriam’s children and all their family “Long Life”.
Rabbi Plancey took a liking to our children, always greeting them with a huge smile (and sometimes treats) on a Shabbos morning – he always gave the impression that they made his day.
He also helped us about an issue we had with Herts Council, in his capacity as mayor – he really went above and beyond to help people and weâll always have fond memories. May his (and the Rebbetzinâs) memory be for a blessing.
I will remember Rabbi Plancey and Miriam with fondness and huge gratitude. They were with us through all the good and difficult times. I first met Rabbi Plancey when he knocked on my door to welcome us a few days after we arrived in this country 38 years ago. Miriam took me under her wing and taught me to read hebrew. I went to her every week with a toddler in tow and I will always treasure our time together.They were both always there for me at some very difficult times. I will never forget his kindness when he came to check on me before I boarded a flight at Luton when he knew things were tough. They were two very special people.
Our memories of Rabbi Alan and Miriam go back to 1982 when we moved into Chiltern Close just across the way from them and all I knew about the Borehamwood area was that the Rabbi passed my house to go to Shul and it was 10 minutes from the station.
I was already a regular shul goer and was welcomed into the young community using the cinema seats in the Kol Rinah hall.
When Susy was going out with Jan, Miriam asked whether he could stay with us as he obviously couldnât stay with them and that was our pleasure.
I was on the cheder committee and ultimately became co-chairman and received considerable support during this time from Rabbi Plancey, and of course, Miriam taught in the cheder.
Michelle had not been well for some time and was in and out of hospital and Rabbi Plancey visited her regularly and even acted as a porter for her when visiting. Meals from Miriam were consumed on a regular basis and no-one could ever go hungry.
I was honoured to be chosen to be Chazan Torah in 1993 and we had a wonderful time celebrating with the whole community.
Our daughter got married to a Scotsman at Borehamwood Shul in 2006 and not only did Rabbi Plancey conduct the ceremony but he also came to the reception to play the bagpipes to lead the newly married couple into their dinner but then needed to rush off to another simcha â he was such a special and popular person.
Calls from Rabbi Plancey and Miriam whenever anyone was under the weather or having a simcha were so welcome.
May their memory be only full of blessings and we send our wishes for long life to all the family.
I was privileged to know Rabbi Plancey through my parents shul in Northwood.
He was a man of enormous integrity and kindness.He possessed excellent communication skills and his sermons were excellent.
May his dear soul rest in everlasting peace.
Rabbi Plancey, along with Rebbetzin Miriam, made an indelible impact on the lives of our whole family. As an individual, Rabbi Plancey exuded that warm Scottish sense of fun but also of genuine interest and caring in us from the moment we joined the community. As a rabbinic team, he and Miriam were wonderful hosts and always supportive, particularly in supplying large platters of wonderful home cooking when our children were born. Far too many special memories to fully recount here, but suffice to say our lives wouldnât be as good as they are now if it were not for Rabbi Plancey.
Very sad to hear that Rabbi Plancey zâl has passed away. He was a constant when I was at BES and officiated at both my Barmitzvah (memorably playing the bagpipes at the party), and my wedding.
Wish all the family long live.
Rabbi Plancey was a kind and caring Rabbi . We came to BES after he had completed hiis Ministry but we then spent many years enjoying his company at the morning minyan
We had met him many times prior to that when visiting BES to spend Yom Tov with family . We also knew and appreciated him through his work at the United Synagogue , and the JNf. He also fficiated at the marriage of our son and made it a very memorable and enjoyable chupah
He will be sadly missed by the BES community
I met rabbi Alan Plancey over 32 yrs ago he came to my house when my mother passed away and he has been a true friend to my family ever since, friday nights at their house was such fun and Miriamâs cooking was yummy. I will love them forever
We were so saddened to hear about the passing of Rabbi Plancey. He and Miriam were so helpful to us and we have happy memories of him leading our sons’ barmitzvahs and our daughter’s batmitzvah.
We wish comfort and ‘long life’ to Miriam and family.
When the Planceys moved to our road nearly 50 years ago, they quickly became an integral part of our and our childrenâs lives. Almost every Shabbat Danny, and often the girls, would go up to their house.
They rescued us one erev Pesach when our hob caught fire, Miriam finishing off frying my fish and inviting us for Seder then and many further times.
We particularly appreciated Rabbi Plancey coming down to say the Shema with us in Davidâs final hours.
He and Miriam were an amazing team, perfectly complementing each other throughout their wonderful marriage and in building the Community.
Rabbi Plancey zâl was a tower of strength and support during the heady days of the 35âs Womenâs Campaign for the freedom rights of Soviet Jewry.
Always approachable, always hospitable and welcoming at his home, his sense of humour was legendary with those lucky to be in his company. Sincere condolences and wishing long life to his wife and family. May you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
So saddened to hear that Rabbi Plancey has passed away – our thoughts at this time are with Miriam and all the family.
Alan’s larger than life presence will be missed in the community which we were priviledge to have been a part of for a very long time.
We have very fond memories of Rabbi Plancey since moving to Borehamwood over 20 years ago, and of course the wonderful hospitality he together with Rebbetzin Plancey always showed us.
I particularly enjoyed hearing Rabbi Plancey reminisce about his days in the Luton community where he knew my parents, grandparents and also my great grandmother. He was always so proud to share that he knew five generations of our family, and it was honour to share our more recent family simchas with him.
Wishing Rebbetzin Plancey and all the family a long life.