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.
Rabbi Plancey helped our family to celebrate all our simchas – in particular I remember that he officiated at my son Jeremy’s wedding to Nicole which took place at a hotel in Harrogate. We offered to put him up overnight but he wouldn’t hear of it – he got a lift home after the wedding with one of Jeremy’s friends! He also conducted the stone setting of my late husband Alan which I found a great comfort to me and the family. He and Miriam supported their congregation in a very personal way and I wish Miriam and all the extended family long life.
Rabbi Plancey was like no other. A true community Rabbi whose warmth was in abundance to everyone that he came across. He has been a huge part of our families lives and we will miss his presence and wisdom.
Wishing Miriam and the family all of our love
Dear Miriam and family,
Rabbi Plancey, what a fabulous man, warm, bubbly with that Northern charm. He was the sort of man you never forgot and he never forgot you. He married me, barmitzvah my brother, and even came over, when my father, David Chester, was distraught, as our dog, Suzie had died. He was so kind and cared deeply for his congregation.
I was absolutely shocked and saddened to hear of his passing, he was the sort of man you wished could live forever.
Dear Miriam, Susy, Nechama, Meir, Nussi and Phyllis
We are writing to say how very sorry we are to learn of Rabbi Alan Plancey’s passing, we share in your grief at this difficult time.
But as you know, and is being reinforced by all the wonderful things people have said and are saying and will be saying long into the future, what an amazing man he was, what incredible things he achieved, what a compassionate, understanding, humorous, community-serving, steadfast and family-loving man he was (just to list a few of his many, many attributes). Alan was the rarest of men, so few are like him: he was a man ahead of his time, he had vision and made sure his vision came to life.
We first met Alan when we were just 21, in 1977, and were deciding where to live when we got married, and went to investigate Borehamwood, Elstree and District (as it was then known) United Synagogue one Sunday, and he was there (as always) helping members prepare for an event. He took us under his wing, sold the community to us and told us exactly where we needed to live.
Once we moved in in 1978, Alan encouraged us to become involved in helping build the community and we worked with him in so many ways on that task, watching with disbelief how the small rural Jewish community we moved to turned into the giant one it is today.
We also got to know each of you, and, of course, still have an enduring love for you all, although our Aliya has meant we have seen less of you than we would have liked.
Memories include the amazing Shabbat meals, the endless stories and jokes, the ability to understanding how Judaism can enrich rather than restrict our lives, his ability to know when we needed help even when we ourselves did not know we needed it. Weekends away in Bournemouth, so many sermons and shiurim over all those years, his ability always to look on the bright side of things and his constant devoted attention to you, Miriam, to whom we wish good health.
There are so many other things that have happened to our family (and so many others) over the last nearly 50 years, because of Alan’s positive influence, it really is hard to imagine the way he has managed to change the portion of the world he was responsible for, for the better. We are so pleased we were able to share with him (and you) our families’ celebrations, as well as the sad times, over so many years.
Wishing you all a long life, free from further sorrow
Fondest regards and love
Diane and Paul Kutner
BDH. The end of an era for sure.
Rabbi Plancey we will never forget the community you built, warmth you radiated and the way you, (with Miriam), dedicated yourselves to us all. My dad (os) was my hero and you were one of his! With us in good times and bad whilst always accompanied by the unique gift to improve any situation with your presence. I will remember the jokes (although wish I could remember them all), the sermons, the kindness, the simchas, being called a lobus, (affectionately) well into my 40’s and the fact that you enabled so many of us to grow up in a community where we were proud to be Jewish. On behalf of the Konopinski’s and Kingsley’ we wish all the family a long life, sweet memories and when the pain subsides, enjoyment of what is an amazing legacy.
Only a couple of weeks ago l bumped into Rabbi Plancey in Tesco and as the man he was we stopped and had a chat. Knowing him since we moved to Borehamwood as a young married couple in 1981 – he was always there with a kind face. There was no one like ‘Plancey’ he was one on his own .
A Very Special Man and will be sorely missed – our hearts to Miriam and all his children and grandchildren
To Miriam, Meir, Nussi, Susie, Nechama and families.
Peter and I were part of the group who welcomed you all into our (smallish) community. The Rabbi and Miriam worked together tirelessly to successfully build us up into the huge, thriving community we are now. He was always available to any of us with patience and kindness through difficult times and with shared joy through happy times. He was extremely hospitable, and a great networker- hence his stints as local councillor and then mayor. He loved hearing about our children and grandchildren, and took delight in their successes. He was someone worthy of being remembered, spoken about and missed for his huge heart and achievements for us personally and for the whole community.
I met Rabbi Plancey many times when I was on the Board of Edgware Synagogue. He was always smiling, and such a gentleman. He really lit up the room he was in. Wishing his family Long Life.
Rabbi Alan Plancey was a wonderful man in many, many ways. He was very sincere and serious about his faith and also respectful of others. As a member of Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple, and a Trustee of the Hertsmere Forum of Faiths, I had the pleasure to meet him on many occasions. A great loss but no doubt he will be remembered with great fondness by members of all faiths
We were heartbroken 💔 to hear of Rabbi Plancey’s passing. He was the most amazing Rabbi and was so kind and caring to our family. We couldn’t have asked for a kinder Rabbi. He will be so missed and we send our condolences to Miriam and their children and wish them all Long Life and may he rest in peace.
We moved to Borehamwood Synagogue about 20 years ago. He married our three children and officiated at the.burials of grandparents. He was a lovely man full of warmth and will be sadly missed.
Michie and I are heartbroken by the news of Rabbi Alan Plancey’s passing. These brief words of gratitude and condolence are for Miriam, their children, and the community.
My wife and I were a new rabbinic couple in Borehamwood from 2010-2018. Rabbi Plancey & Miriam were the first Jewish leaders to welcome and mentor us with open arms.
Rabbi Plancey gave our young Sephardi community encouragement and support offering wise counsel whenever we faced challenges, praying with us on Shabbat when we met in Allum Hall.
He continued to give Hizuk after our communal role finished, introducing me to become a Hertfordshire Constabulary Chaplain.
Rabbi Plancey also firmly supported our interfaith work at Camp Unity, ensuring we received a Hertsmere Borough Award during his tenure as Mayor.
I saw firsthand how deeply Rabbi Plancey impacted and inspired the lives of countless people of all backgrounds. At the Constabulary, his gracious personality brought hope to so many. The Lord Lieutenant and Chief Constable valued his friendship immensely. In the area of interfaith, Rabbi Plancey was looked up to for his religious authenticity and integrity.
Over the past year, we spoke occasionally. But not often enough.
We are heartbroken that his warmth, love, joy of life, and indomitable spirit have left our world. We are all deeply pained and share in your family’s loss.
May the memory of Rabbi Alan Plancey, MBE always be a blessing and a legacy for those who knew him.
Rabbi Plancey came to the community when I was 7 years old and officiated at every life event we all had, both happy and sad. He was a constant presence and his wisdom and humour will be sadly missed. Wishing Miriam and the family a long life.
Rabbi Plancey touched my family lives in so many ways from the birth of my children, Josh & Sarah to officiating at the levoya of my parents, even when we moved from Elstree.
He made himself available and welcoming at all times and made my family feel part of his wider family.
He was a wonderful man, a mench, a man who never judged but guided and helped with his advice, his wisdom and sense of humour.
I am honoured to have known him, and wish his wife and his children a long and healthy life.
A light has gone out in lives I was so very sad to hear of the passing of not only our esteemed Rabbi Plancey but a dear friend too . A wonderful leader , incredible speaker truely “a one off “and always a tremendous support in good times and also bad . . The warmth and hospitality extended to us as.a family by both Alan and Miriam has been so very much appreciated . You will be do sorely missed . My heartfelt condolences to all the family .
To say that Rabbi Alan and Miriam have left a lasting memory for me is an understatement.
I have worked with Rabbi Alan as member of the board and on security as well as accompanying him at hundreds of weddings
He was always there with a smile a warm.comment and humour all delivered in that soft calm voice which had you listening.
He helped my ex wife and I on many occasions and was there for all our children’s as well.
His compassion and warmth were old school and he was welcoming and helpful.
I always remember his line in a wedding where he would say as the chatan was about to break a glass that this would be the last time you put your foot down
people laughed and remembered his words and he was able to build a new community.
Rabbi Alan you will be missed but remembered fondly and always.
The world is a poorer place today.
Thoughts with Miriam Suzy Nechama Meir and Rav Nussy and Phyllis and the whole family and vehicle.
Thank you for allowing me intonyour life
TC
We are heartbroken at the sad news about our dear friend Rabbi Plancey
Alan and Miriam have been in our lives for 52 years, before they came to Boreham Wood ! We’ve watched their lovely kids grow up and they are so special. Alan ,you helped us more than ever knew.
May his memory be a blessing,
I have been in this community for over 60 years , and saw the impact Rabbi Alan made. It was lovely that a couple of years ago we had him officiating at my sons wedding nearly 20 years after doing his bahmitzvah . Also I remember him visiting my father when he was ill a real mench. Wishing Miriam and all the family a long life .
We would like to send our sincere condolences to Mrs Miriam Plancey and Family on the passing of dear Rabbi Alan Plancey.
We hope you will bear your grief with great fortitude and strength.
We send our love from Vancouver Canada
Barbara and Frank Levine and Family
My dear friend and colleague Rabbi Alan Plancey (זצ”ל)
I was deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and colleague Councillor Rabbi Alan Plancey. Alan was a man of great wisdom, integrity and compassion, whose decades of service to our Council, our residents, and the wider community leave a lasting legacy. He was not only a dedicated public servant but also a pillar of respect, guidance and calm counsel to all his colleagues across the political spectrum. His voice, his values, and his unwavering commitment to Hertsmere will be profoundly missed.
On a personal note, I had the privilege and honour of knowing Rabbi Plancey since I moved to Borehamwood in the 1980s. True to his generous and embracing nature, he welcomed us with warmth and care, inviting us into his home and into the heart of the community. In those early days, I was involved in his “baby,” BES United, and witnessed firsthand the tireless dedication of both Alan and his dear wife Miriam as they nurtured and grew the shul. Its transformation from a small kehilla to the largest community in Europe is in no small part due to their love, energy, and vision — nothing was ever too much for them.
In his retirement, I was honoured to call him a colleague within the Conservative Group at Hertsmere, where he continued to lead by example — bringing Torah values into civic life and always acting with decency, humility, and thoughtfulness.
I mourn his loss deeply. May his memory be for a blessing.
Throughout our 22 years in Borehamwood, Rabbi Plancey was always present, always just around the corner. From our first meeting, walking down Croxdale Road on the way to shul to celebrating our sons’ Bar Mitzvahs, his insights and hospitality were always forthcoming. We had the pleasure of celebrating his 80th birthday on the same Shabbat as Meir’s Bar Mitzvah, shortly after COVID. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring the community back together again.
We will miss him greatly and wish Rebbetzin Miriam Plancey and all the family long life.
I’m a relative newcomer to the BES community when compared to the decades enjoyed by others, none more so than the Planceys! Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait until being a resident here to know the impact and character of both Rabbi and Rebbetzen Plancey. One of my earliest memories of Rabbi Plancey was seeing him in his role as Chaplain for the Jewish Scouting movement – and he never lost any of his gravitas, humour and wisdom on the years that followed, on the contrary.
Being a recognisable ‘US man’, with a father who served as a Vice-President and a brother who rose to its Rabbinate, I was often the recipient of Rabbi Plancey’s praise or otherwise for the venerable institution. Where others may have felt offended or worn down by Rabbi Plancey ‘putting the world to right’, I saw it always as a great honour and privilege to be considered a confidante – and we agreed on many of his bugbears anyway!
Both Rabbi and Rebbetzen Plancey have shown me true chesed. I will always remember and appreciate the way Rabbi Plancey’s face lit up when my parents and I joined their table for Pesach seder in the Normandie in 2022. Not just because we could lend our singing voices to support him, but because he could finally release his vigour and enthusiasm on a captive audience! For the next few months, he and Miriam took a keen interest in my mother’s illness, decline and ultimately passing. My mother would receive regular phone calls from Miriam and I would be pressed for updates by Rabbi Plancey.
I really hope that he felt the wealth of support and appreciation that exudes from every corner of this little hamlet of ours. The term ‘legend’ can sometimes be too overused. To apply this moniker to Rabbi Plancey would be a huge understatement.
יהי זכרו ברוך (Yehi Zichro Baruch)
Rabbi Plancey and Rebbitzin Miriam made us feel so welcome when we moved to Borehamwood in 1998. We first met both at their home in Anthony Road , where they hosted a get together for young married couples. Rabbi Plancey always spoke to us when we came to shul and this meant a lot. He had a great sense of humour and was so kind. Wishing all the family a long life.
Rabbi Plancey Z”l was a remarkable fellow, empathic, pragmatic, personable as well as a proficient bagpipe player, appreciator of fine whisky and the builder of the biggest Jewish community in the UK. There is no-one like Rabbi Plancey, he will be greatly missed by me and my family.
Wishing Miriam and the wider Plancey family Chaim Aruchim.
I am so sad to hear of Rabbi Plancey’s passing—a remarkable man who leaves behind an incredible legacy. For as long as I can remember, he has been an integral part of my family’s life, attending or officiating every significant milestone. Rabbi Plancey knew my mother Susie as a young kid from HGS, and he stood by our family through both joyous celebrations and challenging moments.
Words feel inadequate to express this loss. He was truly the people’s Rabbi, and alongside Miriam, they formed an extraordinary partnership. I fondly recall how, as a child in shul, he would greet everyone with kindness, remembering each name and story, regardless of how often you attended. He was a huge supporter and friend of my late father Simon, providing immense comfort during his funeral. Rabbi Plancey officiated my bat Mitzvah and my wedding, and I am eternally grateful to have known him and experienced his guiding presence. I will always remember him saying “I’d like to wish you a hearty mazel tov” and how he almost married my husband Brett to my mother!! If you were there you’d know!
We saw him just a few months ago, and I had always believed he would be with us forever, as he always was—supporting and uplifting our family.
Sending heartfelt love to Miriam and the entire family, and wishing them a long life filled with cherished memories of this extraordinary man.
To a very special man that not only touched the lives of our family and his community as a whole . He always had a story to pass on either personally or in the synagogue. He always had time to stop and chat . He will be greatly missed . Long life to Miriam , children and grandchildren
Dear Miriam, Suzy, Nechama, Meir, Nussi, and Phyllis,
We are so sad at the loss of your husband, father and brother. He was larger than life and as with many other members of the community so intergral to our lives. We had a relationship lasting 45 years and it was a warm friendship. We have many happy memories of unlimited chesed, hospitality, help and working together in the Kehilla. We are proud and privileged to have known such a special Rabbi ז”ל. Jackie and Mark Faerber. המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Remembering how Rabbi Plancey would come into the classrooms at Gilah and say hello to all the children
Dear Miriam and Family
We still remember the phone call we received from Rabbi Plancey when we moved to Borehamwood as newly weds in November 2000. He was calling to welcome us to the community and to invite us for lunch. We immediately said yes but were so shocked to receive such a call that we forgot to ask for the address!
Our families go back a long way and as Rabbi Plancey frequently and proudly told us, he knew 4 generations of our family. Moving to Borehamwood meant that we got to know Miriam and Rabbi Plancey “in our own right” and this was the start of a wonderful relationship. When our 4 boys were born, Rabbi Plancey was there. When we were desperate to give our boys a Jewish education, he was there. When each of our boys were barmitzvah, he was there. When a personal reference was required, he was there. During sadder times, he was most definitely there. Even a couple of months ago, when we couldn’t find an oven cleaner before pesach, he was there and managed to persuade his one to help us.
Our lives were significantly enriched by Rabbi Plancey’s presence. We will always treasure our memories of this true giant of a chassid. He is simply irreplaceable.
We send love to Miriam and all the family and wish them a long life free of sorrow.
Melanie, Joe, Noah, Leo, Coby and Eli Arazi
XX
As we’ve lived in the community for over 50 years we were among the people to welcome Rabbi Plancey, Miriam and the children into the then small community. Their kindness and hospitality was endless We attended each others smachot and they were there for us in sad times. He touched the lives of so many people. It’s truly the end of an era.