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.
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Rabbi Plancey. He was a wonderful communal Rabbi & also to the wide Borehamwood community.
We wish Miriam & all her family Long Life.
Wishing Rebbetzin Miriam and the entire family long life. Rabbi Plancey often officiated at family simchas and was always a reassuring, kind presence. He will be so missed. Baruch dayan haemet
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Rabbi Alan Plancey. During our time as fellow County Councillors, and particularly while I served as Civic Mayor of Watford and he as Mayor of Hertsmere, I came to know him as a man of great wisdom, dignity, and compassion.
Rabbi Plancey was always courteous and respectful towards me. As a Muslim, I appreciated his unwavering commitment to building bridges between faith communities. His efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and bringing people of different backgrounds together were not only commendable but truly inspiring. He exemplified the values of mutual respect and shared humanity that lie at the heart of both our faith traditions.
Our conversations were always thoughtful, and I found in him a sincere and principled colleague whose warmth and intellect left a lasting impression.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family, his congregation, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Zichrono livracha — may his memory be a blessing.
Cllr Asif Khan
What a wonderful Rabbi.. Had a knack of putting you at ease.. He was Rabbi for my 2 youngest boys Barmitzvah, he gave a cheeky wink at me when my wife’s sephardic ladies relatives jeered in their iraqui tradional way… I worked with him when I Toastmastered at weddings, on our first gig together.. I asked “Rabbi.. How do you want this to work?” he replied.. “Ian I won’t call for dinner you keep away from my chupah” I laughed.. Such lovely memories Z’L
I only had the privilege of meeting Rabbi Plancey z’l on a couple of occasions through his work with CST, of which he was a great supporter. He was a powerful speaker and a wise man. Wishing Long Life to his family.
So sorry to hear the news. I have wonderful memories of Rabbi Plancey being our rabbi and host over Pesach at the Normandie Hotel in Bournemouth. His warmth, energy and sense of humour can never be forgotten. Sincere condolences to Miriam and the rest of the family.
Dear Miriam and Family,
Thinking of you all at this extremely sad time. Remembering how when Irving z”l retired from Jews College, almost that day forward Alan and Irving would speak twice a day… every day! He will be greatly missed.
Sending all my love and from all my family
Ann
Deeply saddened at the news of Rabbi Plancey’s passing. We first met him on our arrival in Hampstead Garden Suburb when he came to us and tried to get our children involved in the Shul.
Another youngster was asked to collect our daughter for Friday evenings and both were enrolled in the Hebrew classes. He had many interests, both shul and secular, and the great gift of making people feel they mattered.
My sincere condolences to Miriam, and family. May you gain some comfort knowing how much everyone thought of him. Wishing you a long life free from any further heartaches,
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Rabbi Alan Plancey of blessed memory. A man who had a ready smile, a wonderful sense of humour and was a true leader and guide for his community. We were honoured to have known him and always enjoyed his good advice, and warm company. May his dear neshama be blessed with eternal rest.
We are so saddened at the passing of a very special Rabbi. Rabbi Plancey arrived at Borehamwood at the same time I joined.
He was not only our Rabbi but a great friend and saw me through the best of times and the worse.
He will always remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Our heartfelt condolences to Miriam and all his lovely family.
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the sad passing of Rabbi Plancey yesterday evening. We had the honour of him officiating at our wedding some 31 years ago. The wonderful chuppah is still remembered by us all this time later. We were delighted that he agreed to come out of retirement to officiate at the Bar mitzvah of our son Adam. Rabbi Plancey had a sharp memory. Although we may not have attended shul as often as he would have liked, he still recognised us and always had time for a chat when we saw him about Borehamwood. He will be very much missed by us all as an inspirational leader and inclusive kind and unifying force for good in the community and we send our sincere condolences to Rebbetzin Miriam his children and sister and all the family at this time. With much love Stephanie, Craig, Adam and Sophie Cohen xxxx
It truly feels like the end of an era as Rabbi Plancey z”l was just such a constant for all of us original Borehamwood families. The Planceys will always have a special place in the hearts of the whole Kutner family – as our neighbours on Anthony Road and as close friends with my parents. I remember so many happy times shared, communal events, Rabbi Plancey’s forward thinking in allowing Bat Mitzvah girls to have a more prominent role before most other shuls, and in the way he absolutely loved and knew every member of the kehilla. He never ever judged – it never bothered him if someone was religious or not. He saw everyone for who they were. Together with Miriam he was always there, and you could always depend on them in times of need. We send our deepest condolences to the whole Plancey family. I hope all these memories give you strength and comfort. Baruch Dayan Haemet
The end of an era. His kindness and wise advice will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family.
From the moment we first set foot in Borehamwood Shul over 20 years ago, Rabbi Plancey welcomed us so warmly. Quickly hearing Jerry’s Scottish accent, we instantly became a part of his extended family.
Together wirh Miriam, we always received the warmest of welcomes, the best food and an ask after the family up North.
Most recently, I had the pleasure to be with Rabbi Plancey in shul again, and I listened intently to his stories, ideas and words of communal wisdom.
The Community has lost a giant, both in kindness and in love. He will be very sorely missed but forever a part of BES.
Wishing Miriam, Phyllis and all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren chayim aruchim.
Rabbi Alan, a man of Chesed; a man of service to his community both the Jewish and the wider community; he touched all those who met him and our family in particular through the good times and not so good times, he and Miriam, always there to support whoever reached out. A great friend and guide to us for over 40 years. Chaim Arruchim.
Rabbi Alan Plancey is a man I have known for 35 years since I moved to the area in 1990. He is without doubt one of the nicest, kindest person I have ever met in my life and could always count on him for his wise counselling and help. He officiated at both my daughter’s Bat Chayils and my eldest daughter’s Wedding in Israel some years ago. I count him as a friend who I will surely miss and offer my sincere condolences to Miriam and the entire family at this sad time. I wish you all Long Life. Alan R.I.P.
Rabbi Plancey was a very special man, and meant so much to my family. From marrying my parents, to my sister and then myself- he was always a big part in our lives. He was a friend- a close friend and support to us all but mostly my parents and he will be missed terribly by us all. We have nothing but wonderful memories! Sending Miriam and all the family,love strength in this difficult time. All our love.
I first encountered Rabbi Plancey z”l when he was the guest young rabbi at an AJ6 National Weekend in 1980/81. The event was run by the then Fieldworker, Leonie Lewis a”s. He ran the services and provided educational input – but certainly tried to set some standards – getting a little red at the collar when the Harachaman refrain in Birkat Hamazon reached a count in the mid 30s!
Rabbi Plancey met with the trainee rabbis in Israel on a trip over in the early 90s. There, his message to aspiring religious leaders was to reain human understanding and common snse as the fifth chelek of the Shulchan Aruch. I later shadowed him for a couple of days in Borehamwood, to learn about the pastoral sde of his rabbonus and seeing him with some of the community groups. This accentuated his emphasis on the human dimension and relatability.
His interest and commitment to local civic leadership demonstrated Rabbi Plancey’s understanding of the importance of engagement with the wider community, and the importance of navigating the various tensions of toeing lines and charting a course of conviction. He knew he couldn’t and wouldn’t please everyone, but his life and choices were LeShem Shamaym.
I will miss his humour, particularly his dry and wry observations.
It was a privilege to know him.
May his soul be bound op forever in the Bonds of Life Eternal.
I first met Rabbi Plancey when he was my jewish studies teacher in Hasmonean in the 80s. He was always very popular, smiling and a kind and patient teacher – he needed to and did have have the patience of a saint to put up with 80s schoolkids! Scroll forward and Ann and I joined the BES community when we married nearly 30 years ago where Rabbi Plancey and Rebbetzin Miriam were already acting as a magnate attracting the ‘newly weds’ into the community. He still had that smile. At that time, coming from Hendon, Borehamwood was a big gamble but under their leadership the community went from strength to strength forming schools, a vibrant Jewish high street and now multiple minyanim and communities. None of this would have happened without Rabbi Plancey and Miriam. None. Rabbi Plancey was a unique individual, always there when you needed him in good times and bad times. My late parents were huge fans of his. As the stories emerge and will emerge of the many acts of kindness he did, one marvels at how he had the time to do all these things. He was still active in communal affairs right until the end. He was one of a kind and the BES community and Klal Yisrael has lost a giant. Words cannot do Rabbi Plancey and his achievements justice. This is a big blow and sad day for not just Miriam and their family but the many many people who Rabbi Plancey touched and thereby also feel he was family. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet and wishing all the family long life..
Rabbi Plancey meant so much to our family. We have wonderful memories of him playing the bagpipes at our simcha in homage to his and Howard’s Scottish routes. He was always there to take time to listen and give sound advice. We used to love our chats in Tesco. Our heartfelt condolences to Miriam and all the family. He shall be greatly missed.
Shalom Beverley and Howard Klein
My family and I are so sad at the passing of our dear Rabbi and friend, Alan Plancey. My late Husband, Jonathan, was one of the then small congregation who persuaded him to join Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue as its Rabbi. Under Rabbi Plancey’s leadership the community has thrived. He will be sorely missed by the Community but also as a dear friend to all who knew him. Our thoughts are with Miriam and the family.
Apart from all his other duties, I remember him running around Luton Airport where I believe he was Chaplain and looking for Israeli Students who were late for their flight. Amazing man who had time for all.
A fantastic servant of both his community and the wider community, and a warm human being. Wishing the family long life.
Dear Miriam and all the family,
For the first 23 years of my life Rabbi Plancey was a constant in my life. We lived down the road and often popped in for the delicious desserts that were always on hand in the kitchen! Rabbi Plancey was there for all the happy times and a pillar of support in the sad times. He supported all of our Bnei Akiva events, visited us at Brownies and Guides, made sure to often visit the children’s services on Shabbat and in the youth service, as well as the cheder on regular occasions. Later, he helped officiate our wedding and remained a close friend to my parents. He was a huge part of my childhood and teenage years and I’m grateful that he was in our lives.
Sending lots of love and strength to you all in this difficult time.
Leah (Kutner)
The very sad end of an era. An absolute legend in his lifetime. Rabbi Plancey z’l welcomed us to this community in 1985 at the ‘Young Marrieds’ function group. He will leave a huge hole but an astonishing legacy that I hope will be of both pride and comfort to Rebbetzin Miriam and all the family. He supported us through joy at our girls batmitzvahs but also through the sorrows at the untimely loss of my father-in-law in 1990 and then again my brother in 2006 which we will never forget. May his memory be for a blessing. Wishing all the family a healthy and long life. Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet.
Rabbi Alan Plancey “was a one of a kind” Always approachable. There in Good times & Bad! Always Cheerful, Supportive & kind. For us he will always be synonymous with Borehamwood Shul. He and Miriam always welcoming and there will never be another Rabbi like him! We were so lucky to have known him Spanning over 40 years.
May his Memory be a blessing & Long Life to Miriam and all of the family. Our heartfelt Condolences Gaby & Nathan Craig
Great memories of Rabbi Plancey. I was his first barmitzvah boy in Luton. I have a photograph of him at my barmitzvah party. Many years later he spoke at my late mother’s lavoyah With great anecdotal memories. Last time I saw him was 18 months ago at the Luton shul 100 year reunion and he remembered me.
Rabbi Alan Plancey has been a support to our family for almost 50 years.
He has shared many joyous occasions with us and also tragedies.
It was so reassuring to know that he was there.
His warmth, kindness and humanity will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
He helped build BES up into the strong and inclusive community that it is today
To Miriam and family, I wish you a long life. Our thoughts are with you.
I shall never forget the time he spent in Northwood and he served our community with love and respect. He also officiated at my daughter’s batmitzvah in 2008 and we just loved having him there.
Rabbi Plancey Bar Mitzavh’d me in 1992 and married my wife and I in 2007. A wonderful man and giant of the community.