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.
My wife & I were so very sad to hear of the passing of our Rabbi Alan .
He was not just our life long Rabbi but our very dear friend .
He was such a special man & was always there for me & all my family through good times & bad .
He just never knew how to say No .
He Bar Mitzvah both my boys & flew to Israel to Marry my daughter .
He came to the hospice without being asked to see my mum , he just turned up that was Alan .
We are not very frum but Alan never judged us & always welcomed us into his home .
We socialised with Alan & had lots of fun with him .
He really was a very very special man .
There’s will be a void in the entire community .
I’ll always miss Rabbi Alan but I will also cherish the wonderful times I had with him .
It really was an honour & a pleasure to have him in our lives .
RIP Rabbi & a long health & happy life for Miriam & all the family P G .
Although I was never a member of Borehamwood shul, I had the privilege of knowing Alan for over 30 years and as a friend and confidant. We worked together on the London Executive of the JIA, where I witnessed many acts of kindness. In later years he was a trusted councillor on whom you could always rely. He had a wonderful sense of humour and we shared very many laughs together. I was proud that he was my friend.
A Truly great man and Rabbi who touched the lives of so many in a caring and kind manner. His legacy in building the BES community lives on as testament to his tireless and superhuman efforts over many years. We are saddened by his passing and send our deepest condolences to Rebetzen Miriam and all the Plancey Family
Rabbi Plancey was a lovely and warm person, who personified the very best of Orthodox Judaism. As a communal Rabbi, he was outstanding. When my wife Mandy died in 2019, although no longer the acting Rabbi of our shul, he made it his business to spend time with me and my children one morning during the shiva. We were alone with him, and his humanity shone strongly through. He will be much missed.
Russell Barash
Rabbi Alan Plancey married us at Borehamwood & Elstree shul.
When we joined the community after we got married in November 1995, we were so warmly welcomed from Rabbi Plancey and Miriam. We were also invited to their home for shabbat meals with other newly married couples.
We had many wonderful memories with Rabbi Plancey and Miriam for many years.
He was wonderful, caring and a great sense of humour.
He was a rock to our community.
Wishing Miriam and the Plancey family a long life.
We are thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Many, many years ago I had cause to go to shul– not being a regular shul goer at that time. At the end of the service Alan made it his business to come over and introduce himself– and our short chat concluded with his words–“so same time same place next Shabbat “. And so it came to pass that I became a “Shabbat regular” for the next 25 years — such was the charisma of the man. He became our family “go to”– whenever advice was needed– he was always available– without exception. An exceptional human being and a wonderful friend — he will be sadly missed.
Dear Rebetzein Miriam, Susie, Nechama, Meir, Nussy and all the family,
Holding you in my awareness at this difficult time.
Sending you strength and comfort in your time ahead.
Rabbi Plancy married me back in 1990, he was also my Hebrew Teacher at Kerem School.
I remember him with great fondness, he will be missed, with love Claire Pierce
At a barmitzvah simcha , Rabbi Plancey was playing the bagpipes. I asked him if they were Rashi or Rabbenu Tam bagpipes. Quick as a flash he replied “ Rabbenu Gam”.
Also, at a match in the United Synagogue quiz, Rabbi Plancey was the question master . He asked “ what do sefardim call the Aron kodesh. The competitor replied “!teva” to which the rabbi responded “ 5 points ; “ teva or Teyvoy” a member of the audience was heard to say that the Seward’s would not call it a teyvoy. May he rest in peace.
This year will be 20 years since Rabbi Plancey married me and my husband at BES. Whilst the day was already special, Rabbi Plancey brought that extra touch of happiness. He was warm and welcoming, and made sure that those who were unfamiliar with a Jewish wedding ceremony felt included. One memory in particular is that my then brother-in-law was not Jewish. My husband and I had chosen to have 4 people hold a pole at each corner of our Chuppah and we wanted my brother-in-law to be one of those people. Rabbi Plancey found a way for this to happen so that the rules of the chuppah were kept but the pole could be held. A small thing to some, but typical of Rabbi Plancey who found a way to make everybody happy. He will be missed by many others to whom he also made a difference, big or small. May his memory be a blessing and may his wife and children live long and happy lives.
Our dearest Rabbi Alan will always hold dear memories in all our family’s’ hearts, having officiated at weddings baby blessings and funerals. He lived respected and died regretted.
We will always be indebted to Rabbi Plancey and Miriam for their constant and stalwart support during all the years of our friendship. They were available, with kindness and patience whenever we needed them. How fortunate we were at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue to have had such a devoted Rabbi and Rebbetzin. Alan will be sorely missed. We send our love and best wishes to Miriam and the family for long and healthy lives and only good things for the future.
The sad loss of Alan Plancey will be felt across Hertfordshire and far beyond. I got to know him on my appointment in 2017 when he greeted me with a broad smile as the first Jewish Lord-Lieutenant since 1885 and he would often say how proud he was-not so much of me but the fact that Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth had chosen a Jew as Her personal representative.
It would be fair to say that Alan and I became friends and I will miss his smiling face -and Scottish accent-at so many events we attended together in our official capacities. He regularly phoned to enquire about my wife’s health and was so generous in his care for others.
A sad day for the community and for Hertfordshire which he served so well.
Wishing his family “Long Life”.
Dear Miriam,
We were so sorry to hear of Alan’s petirah. He was truly one of the greats of Anglo Jewry and your combined achievements in Borehamwood both public and private speak for themselves and are legendary.
Rochelle told us about the massive attendance at the Levayah, which was merited.
Your home was always open and welcoming.
Bli neder, we will call after the Shiva.
WE wish you and all the family a long and healthy life, with simcha in the future.
.המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
Claire and Harold Kandler
Alan was just a one in a million, albeit Scottish. He was just the right person to be stood next to you when you most needed it most at those low points in life, and death. He was slightly annoying but very generous, inclusive, loving and funny all the other times my family had with him. He just couldn’t help being there for everyone else despite his own needs and others pressuring him. Susan (z”l), Sasha, Francesca and I, wish Miriam and the whole Plancey family happy memories of a wonderful Man, Rabbi and Friend.
I send my most sincere condolences to all the Plancey family on the passing of Rabbi Alan, a loving husband and father and Rabbi to myself and my late wife Eva, from 1981 until 2014 when we left the area to join our son in Israel.
Alan was not only our minister, he was also our friend and through happy and sad times he was always able to help us with his wonderful good humour and comforting words, when they too were appropriate.
He was a pillar of not only the Jewish community but also respected and admired by those outside of our faith who I am sure will also be mourning his passing.
Having recently suffered the pain of losing a loved one, I know how the family will be feeling and take this opportunity to send my love and wishes of “ long life “ to them all. May they all be blessed with only future simchot.
To use Alan’s words when once he was helping me through the loss of a loved one,
״ He is now in a better place “.
Miriam and family
I would like to wish you long life on the loss of Alan.
I cannot even imagine what you are going through. I have only heard such lovely words spoken about Alan when I mention I am related to him. I am always on Facebook pages. It has been years since we have spoken to you. But you have always been in my thoughts. I am very involved in our community that keeps us busy. Please send our love to the rest of the family.
Hilary, Ron and family ( Gocs)
I was very upset to hear about the sad passing of Rabbi Alan Plancey.
It is truly the end of an era.
I never forgot how Rabbi Plancey kindly supported me when my father died & even first thing on the morning gave me a lift to the Registrar when l didn’t even live in the area !!!
Every time I saw him, I thanked him again for his kindness, all those years ago.
I will miss our conversations we had, whenever we visited Borehamwood to see family.
I wish Rebetzin Plancey & all the family, Chaim Aruchim.
We believe we are the only people able to say that Rabbi Plancey used a motorbike as a central feature of our marriage process.
Without his ingenuity, creativity, warmth and chutzpah the marriage would never have taken place.
A great source of comfort and wisdom for our family for many years. May his memory be a blessing.
We were welcomed by Rabbi Placey MBE z”l and Rebbetzin Miriam, into the community and received their wonderful hospitality nearly 40 years ago.
During that time, Rabbi Plancey officiated at many of our family events including happy times at our sons pidyon haben, as well as offering support at the sad times with the loss of parents.
Behind the scenes his dedication to the community continued. Having last met and spoken with him personally at a meeting with Tesco. Where he encouraged and guided them on what kosher food should be stocked. So that all the entire community had access to kosher food. Just one example of him working tiressly for the community, way beyond his retirement years.
He will be sadly missed and we wish the family long life. May they find strength and happiness for the future, with have fond memories of the past.
I first met Rabbi Plancey when I became RE Adviser for Hertfordshire many years ago. His interest in education in Hertfordshire schools was great and he helped us immensley in supporting the teaching of Judaism in our schools. When he became a County Councillor he joined our Standing Advisory Council on Religous Education (SACRE). He was never afraid to speak his mind and challenged us all on our thinking in many ways. He will be greatly missed by many across Hertfordshire.
Growing up in Borehamwood Rabbi Plancey was always in my life. His presence was always around me. Sometimes in the foreground speaking at family events- Bar Mitzvahs, funerals and weddings- mine included. And sometimes in the background watching and encouraging. His kindness, empathy and sense of humour is something I will never forget, and always be grateful for. Whatever my age at the time of our interaction, whether in happy or sad times he knew what he to say and how to support me.
He could relate to anyone and everyone, bringing people together to enhance a whatever the gathering was for. Nothing demonstrated this more for me than at my wedding to a fellow Glaswegian. Nobody knew everyone and what better way to enter our party than Rabbi Plancey playing Scotland the brave on the bagpipes!
His influence stretched far and wide, and his legacy is the Jewish community, and Jewish life in Borehamwood and Elstree. So much of who we are is due to him and Miriam.
Wishing Miriam, Suzy, Nechama, Meir and Nussi a long, happy and healthy life.
Sadly missed ‘a once in a lifetime’ Rabbi. When we couldn’t find a place at a Jewish school for our eldest, he stepped in to help, when my father in law died suddenly and unexpectedly he was round as soon as Shabbat was out. He made people feel special, went to visit my mother in law when she was at Lady Sarah Care Home and always took an interest in the family.
He will leave a huge void in the Borehamwood and Jewish community.
Wishing long life to Miriam and all the family.
Peter and Debbie Marks.
As a Rav from the Provinces I met Rabbi Plancey at the RCUS conferences
He was a formidable debater but always the gentle man
May his memory be a blessing
We were so sorry to hear the sad news of the petira of Rabbi Plancey z”l. A huge influence in our teenage years when he first arrived in Borehamwood and instrumental in helping us develop in our Yiddishkeit. Nearly 50 years ago I had the honour as a teenager of babysitting for the Planceys then young family spending impactful time in Anthony Road where the walls seemed magically to expand to contain the ceaseless flow of guests from every conceivable walk of life. At all times Rabbi Plancey, so ably assisted by Miriam ( may she be well and healthy iy”H) enabled guests to feel totally at home and cared for. He helped us find Shomer Shabbos jobs through his incredible network of contacts; was mesader keddushin at our wedding 40 years ago and showed interest and concern for all those in our own family. We are grateful for the Torah he taught; the chessed he performed and shall never forget his larger-than-life “simchas hachaim” that brought such humour to his Rabbinate work and made a Kiddush Hashem inside and of course, outside the Kehilla. He stood by his Orthodox principles and at the same time was tolerant and non-judgmental of others. May the fond memories of this remarkable Rav be for a blessing and wishing sincere good wishes of Chaim Aruchim to Miriam, Susie, Nechama, Meir and Nussi
I have fond memories of Rabbi Plancey at my time at Hasmonean Girls School. I was fortunate enough to see him a few weeks ago at Chesunt and I said – Rabbi Plancey I so enjoyed your classes when I was at Hasmonean and he replied in his usual charm “thank for remembering an old man and making my day” . May he rest in peace and he will be forever in this Hasmonean Girls Heart.
I first met Rabbi Plancey many years ago in Scotland, staying in his house for a JLGB event. He was studying to be a Rabbi but found time to engage with everyone in his trademark warm and approachable way. Our family moved to Elstree decades later and he and his wife welcomed us with joy and love. My wife reminded me that he was an important networker when Resource, (the charity helping unemployed people get back into work , called ERC in the 90s) first began and his support was always appreciated. Our daughter, Juliet, interviewed him for a Sky News feature- it was a very lively encounter! We are very sad to hear of his passing .
We first met Miriam and Alan in 1967 when we were newcomers to Borehamwood, and Alan organised a joint Chanukah party for his shul (Luton) and BEADS as we were then known. When Alan became our Rabbi in 1976 there was an immediate change, not only in the numbers attending services but also in the huge influx of new members of our community; new faces appeared in shul practically every shabbat. Alan never turned down a request to take part in an event, whether it was a simcha or a bereavement, and even after he “retired” he would still be happy to officiate when invited. Our community’s growth to its current size was entirely due to Alan and Miriam’s hard work and perseverance, and to the affection that they showed to everyone. Alan can rest in peace, knowing that he had a full, successful and enjoyable life. Goodbye to an old friend.
We would like to wish long life to Rebbetzen Miriam and family. Rabbi Plancey welcomed us both to Borehamwood in 2000 having arrived from South Africa. He welcomed my late mother Minnie Silverton as well as us into the Community and was always available to advise us and guide us. He will be sadly missed and will certainly remain in our thoughts.
Rabbi Alan Plancy ztl was a cherished colleague, friend and mentor to many of us. His warmth, sense of humour and dedication inspired us all. I had the privilege of being on the Chief Rabbi’s Cabinet and the RCUS council with him and making many solidarity missions with him to Israel. May his memory always be a blessing.
Dear Rebetzein Miriam, Susie, Nechama, Meir, Nussy and all the family,
I promise you the second I heard this sad news I looked for a flight to come and be Menachem Ovel! Unfortunately now during the war it is beyond my means. I feel like I too am in Aveilus. From a young boy growing up in Borehamwood, Rabbi Plancey was more than a Rabbi. He was my role model. I looked up to him and I am what I am today only in his Zechus! He was a true דוגמה אישית. He taught me what it means to first be a mensch as the Mishna says ״דרך ארץ קדמה לתורה״! He was a true Shliach Neeman of הקב״ה. His Mesirus Nefesh for authentic Halachic Yidishkeit is something I will never forget. I still remember Meir and Nussy on the community weekends at the Ambassador Hotel waiting till all the swimming was over so they could go whilst only men. These small things left huge impacts on me. Rabbi Plancey was so proud of me getting in to Gateshead Yeshiva, having an Auf Ruf with a separate Kiddush which only he stood up to all those who opposed!! He took me for Shimush to weddings, Shivas, home visits! I am today a leader of a community and he has so many Zechusim! I am one of many that came out of his community together with יבלחט״א The Rebetzein.
The list goes on and I am sure with time will remember more. I don’t think there was ever an influential Rabbi to not only yidden but even to the non Jews like Rabbi Plancey.
He will be so greatly missed! May the Aibishter give the Rebetzein the strength to continue leading the family!
All of who Rabbi Plancey was and all of what he gave us was all made possible due to that fact the Yibodel Lechaim Tovim Vearuchim, The Rebetzein sacrificed her time and needs so that Rabbi Plancey could do his Shlichus!
May the Almighty give you all the Kochos to continue his legacy and may he be a true מליץ יושר for the Rebetzein, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all of Klall Yisroel!
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים!
Besoros Tovos
Amos, Hadass and family Azizoff!