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 lived in the same street as Alan and Miriam Plancey and their Family.
We well remember the humble beginnings of our shul and how Alan arrived and created great enthusiasm and the shul thrived to what it is today. We have never forgotten how on one occasion Alan drove around with me in my car for hours collecting food for one of our sons Barmitzvah. While Miriam helped prepare the food with me too. They both gave us a warm farewell to Canada. In 1978. May Alan’s memory be for a blessing. We send Miriam and the Family our love and good wishes. Barbara and Frank Levine
We were so sad to hear about the passing of Rabbi Plancey. Rabbi Plancey was a huge part of all of our lives through sad times and the best times and he and Miriam showed love, support and a sense of community throughout and always welcomed us into their home with warmth and love. Our family will always remember him with such fond and special memories. We had some of the best times being part of such a close knit community and will never forget his amazing spirit, kindness, and sense of humour. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with Rebbetzin Miriam and the family, and we wish you all a long life. Carolyn, Phil, Jamie and Katie Robotkin
We are so sad to hear about the passing of our cousin Alan Plancy.
I have such wonderful memories of visiting in Borehamwood. His positive view on life and hospitality was certainly one of a kind!
I know my father Eli Hirsch always spoke so highly of him and enjoyed his company so much when they got together! May we share only simchos together in the family
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שער אביליי ציון וירושלים
Dearest Rabbi Plancey was our Rabbi for the few short years we lived in Elstree (1980-1983) we became good friends as well as congregants and I will never forget His warmth and friendship over those years , sharing many Shabbat dinners together as well as yomtavim and our son being one of his barmitzvah boys in an extremely busy year ! Our thoughts and prayers and long life to Miriam and all the family our thoughts are with you.
So so many wonderful memories. Sharing simchas. Funning jokes with his hilarious sense of humour. We were so blessed to have him as our Rabbi for so many years. BDE. Wishing long life to Miriam and all the family
Rabbi Alan Plancey to me and my family will always be remembered for his generous heart, warm and happy personality and the ability to be such a good friend as well as our Rabbi for many years . We will never forget this friendship and kindness over the years . He will be always be fondly remembered . Sincerest condolences and long life to Miriam and all the family .
Rabbi Plancey was a huge part of my parents life and my grandparents life and he supported them through the hardest of times. He was a rock for my mum through her years of struggling with her illness and then even more of a rock for my dad when she passed. I have fond memories of him when I was a child, visiting us at home or us popping round the corner to them including sharing Friday night dinners. He was an inspiration for the community and a huge part of my childhood.
Wishing all of the family long life, may his memory be a blessing.
Rabbi Plancey was a strong and gifted leader and our family were grateful followers…The Rabbi together with Miriam were the perfect Rabbinical couple…caring, hospitable, professional but above all true and reliable friends.
The building up of the now flourishing Borehamwood and Elstree community will be the Rabbi’s greatest legacy closely followed by the brilliant ambassadorial role he played to the outside world.
The Rabbi will be sorely missed by the whole Polak family as he was an integral part of so much of our lives.
Wishing Arichat Yamim to Miriam and all the family.
The Rabbi’s memory will forever be a blessing.
Charlotte and Stuart
Caroline and I were shocked when we heard that Rabbi Plancey had passed away.
We always valued his friendship and advice.
I knew him from his time at Norrice Lea Shul where he and Miriam were good friends of my parents.
Rabbi Plancey and Miriam made our community what it is today.
He was always available in good times and bad and was very supportive when my parents passed away, and also helped Gill and I cope with the passing of our younger daughter, Kim.
Caroline and I were honoured to have him participate under the Chuppah, when we were married in 2022.
We wish Rebbetzin Miriam, Susy, Nechama, Meir, Nussi and Phyllis Chayim Aruchim.
We have had the honour of living next to Rabbi Plancey for the past 7.5 years. He was a truly wonderful man who welcomed everyone as they are, always generous with his time and care. His warm presence and daily conversations were a cherished part of our lives. We will deeply miss him and are profoundly grateful for the support he gave us and our children.
We wish Rebbetzin Miriam and the entire family a long life and offer our heartfelt condolences!
Very said to hear of the passing of Rabbi Plancey. I met Rabbi Plancey when I first came to Borehamwood both as a Rabbi but also in his capacity as mayor. He always came across as very warm and friendly and generous with his time. He will be missed.
We had the honour of knowing Rabbi Plancey over the past three years and were privileged to live on the same road. His warmth, kindness, and unwavering support — together with Miriam’s — meant so much to us and will never be forgotten.
He will be deeply missed.
Wishing the entire family a long life, comfort, and strength during this difficult time
Rabbi Plancey has been a large part of our lives for over 43 years. From marrying us to being with us for the birth of our sons and for their Barmitzvahs and wedddings. He has been with us for every happy and sad event always offering help and advice.
We always valued both your and Miriam’s friendship.
Your loyalty as a patient was outstanding and especially when I moved practice from Borehamwood to Barnet where you followed me.
Your upbeat persona was much appreciated by staff and patients alike. You even took an active part in our patient participation group .
For 30 years until my retirement I had the privilege to reciprocate some of the care you showed towards us.
We will miss you greatly and are thinking of Miriam and all the family at this very difficult time.
Dear Miriam, Susy, Nechama, Meir, Nussi and Phyllis
We send our love and sincere condolences to you all at this very sad time.
Alan z’l was an integral part of our lives for so many decades – in fact we met him even before he was appointed the Rabbi of BES!
We remember we bumped Alan and Miriam in a restaurant in Golders Green when it had just been announced that he’d be our new rabbi, so we introduced ourselves. And our wonderful relationship began.
Alan was always there for us – for the simchas of our children (including your Susy and our Suzie’s shared Bat Chayil), for our parents, our special birthdays and anniversaries, and sadly our shivas. We remember Alan’s droshas, his shul leadership for so many years, his bagpipe-playing, his warmth and humour, and most of all – together with Miriam – his tremendous chesed and kindness.
Miriam and family, we will always remember Alan as our Rabbi and as our friend, and we wish you ‘long life’ with your beautiful families and plenty of happy memories to sustain you.
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Angee and Barry Ries, with Gideon, Suzie, Annabel and all the family
xx
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
Quite simply the Borehamwood & Elstree community is what it is today because of the unfaltering dedication and hard work put in to it by Rabbi Plancey z”l and his Rebbetzen Miriam. The amazing Kehillah we are today is and always will be his legacy.
His compasion and personable nature were endearing. I remember 29 years ago under my Chuppah at BES he said to all assembled he was very happy to see someone there wearing a kilt ! I also recall on Friday nights in Shul he would not sit in his seat beside the Aron but below it and was so happy to see Dani, my little one (and many others) sit there instead.
I wish long life to Rebbetzen Miriam, their children, grandchildren and the whole family.
May his memory be a blessing.
Leigh Saville
Thank you Rabbi Plancey for educating both of my sons David and Dean who went on to be Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Plancey had the rare gift of always finding the right words to say in any set of circumstances, at barmitzvahs, weddings funerals. He could always speak with wisdom, kindness and humour.
So very sad to hear about the passing of Rabbi Plancey, my Dad married into a Borehamwood family and Rabbi P and Miriam welcomed us into the fold and we felt like we had always belonged. He always had a twinkle in his eye, a great sense of humour and an extremely kind neshsamsa. Under my chupa, 18 years ago, he said to my husband, the secret to a good marriage is to just look at your wife, smile and say yes dear, advice my husband follows to this day, so thank you Rabbi for your words of wisdom.
I remember he also said at my Dad’s lavoyah, I think just to me, dont speak of your Dad in the past, speak of him in the present as he is always with you, and that also applies to the Rabbi. Baruch dayan ha emet
We had known Rav Plancey for many years. Being longtime members of nearby Belmont Shul, he had so many ties with us. In particular he stepped in at the last minute when my mother in law passed away when Belmont had no rabbi to officiate. A real Mensch who had time for everyone.
Having been brought up in GLASGOW, I always used my’Scots’ accent when we spoke.
A sad loss for theFamily.
CHAYIM ARUCHIM
BDE
My memories of Alan Plancey go back to his role as Junior Minister at Norris Lea
He encouraged me through my Barmitzvah when I struggled to absorb it
He seemed to realise that within the community the levels of interest in Judaism varied but every member was proud to be Jewish – a completely non judgemental Rabbi that unlike some was able to put you at ease and with a great sense of humour too!
Wishing Miriam and the Family a long life – we have lost a special person who will not be forgotten
If you looked up the definition of ‘community rabbi’ on Google you’d see the face of Rabbi Alan Plancey smiling back at you from the middle of a word cloud that said Kind, Caring, Compassionate, Funny, Knowledgeable, Understanding, Leader, Listener, Mench amongst many other positive adjectives. From the moment we joined the community in 1986 thru our sons bar mitzvah and wedding, the passing of Jackie’s brother and mum , each time he bumped into us in Tesco’s and not so subtlety scanned the trolley for questionable goodies and every time in shul when each time I greeted him with a kiss on the cheek which he loved, many if not all of the above words applied. This community and indeed the world has lost a very special man.
Wishing all the family Chaim Aruchim.
May his memory be for a blessing to all.
Steve & Jackie Ash x
I am broken hearted 💔 to hear of the passing of Rabbi Alan Plancey. He was always there for me and our family. We shared many happy and sad times together. Miriam Suzy Meir Nechuma and Nussy were family to me. Rabbi Plancey together with Miriam were responsible for building up the community in Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue and he will never be forgotten. Rabbi Plancey will be sorely missed and the world will be a sadder place without him. My thoughts and love are with Miriam and his wonderful family.
We were so lucky to have Rabbi Plancey here in Borehamwood from when we first moved here in 1987. He was so kind to all of us. Rest in peace wishing the whole family Long Life. May his memory be a blessing
Dear Miriam & your children,
Please accept our deepest condolences on your husband & father’’s passing. He was a wonderful friend to Betty & Shmuel. ( my sister & brother-in-law).I live in Denmark & had a lot of contact with Suzy when she lived here. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
When first I was involved with the Anglo-Jewish ministry in 1981, I met Rabbi Plancey. He then and always continued thereafter to show me kindness and warmth . Whenever we met, he remembered me and asked about my progress and welfare. From such a busy man in constant communal demand, that was a chesed that is unforgettable.
A long life devoted to others and full of achievement. A final repose well-earned. He will be much missed across the world of religion and politics..
We remember Alan fondly from his youth in Glasgow and we greatly admire his stellar career in the Rabbinate as a very well loved and much respected communal Rabbi who cared for his congregation and the wider community with kindness, compassion and good sense.He has left he crown of a שם טוב
May his memory be for a blessing.
We were so very sad to hear of Rabbi Plancey passing. Over the many years that we knew Alan, he was there for our family both through happy times and sad times. He was always so kind, generous with his time and had a great sense of humour. We appreciated all that he did and feel fortunate that he was our rabbi for so many years.
He will be sorely missed by us all.
We wish long life to Miriam, Susy, Nechama, Meir and Nussi.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
Rabbi Plancey:
He was ever-present in my life and the lives of my siblings while we were growing up.
He was outstanding in his role as a United Synagogue community Rabbi.
He always made an effort to say hello to everyone: men, ladies and children. He was warm and non-judgemental.
He officiated at my parents’ wedding, at the Bar/Bat Mitzvahs of both me and my siblings, and at both my brother’s wedding and my own.
He will be sorely missed, but also forever admired for his dedication to the community and achievement in making BES what it is today.
To the family:
HaMakom Yenachem Etchem Btoch Aveilei Tzion Virushalayim.
I met Rabbi Plancey ah briefly at a singles Friday night many years ago. I had been taken in to the house for a few minutes, as the event, like so many, was aimed at the under-30s. Mrs Plancey made sure he spoke to me, and I could feel his genuine wish that I, an “older” Modern Orthodox single, should meet my beshert soon. It hasn’t happened alas , but I still remember that he cared.
Wishing the Rebbetzen and all the family “Long Life”.
I first met Rabbi Plancey, when he was the Youth Minister at HGS, Norrice Lea shortly after my Barmitzvah in 1964 and then we reacquainted when Lisa and I we moved to Elstree in 1980. it didn’t matter how frequently you visited the Shul, we were always made to feel welcome and Rabbi Plancey was always there for happy and sad times. We were very sorry to hear of the sad passing and send sincere condolences to Miriam and all the family and wish them all a long life.
Charles, Darren and Jamie Crook