December 2011

The Crowds Turn Out to Remember Jonathan

Some 100 people attended a commemorative coffee morning in memory of thewellfairshop volunteer Jonathan Dorman.

The Sunday morning event remembered Jonathan, who died aged 62 after a short illness in March this year.

 A gold leaf was unveiled in his name on the 'Tree of Life' in the Community Centre.

 Jonathan was a stalwart of the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board’s Queenshill Centre annual bazaar prior to its relocation to the current Moortown charity shop.

 Close friends Stanley and Rhona Glucksman, who opened the event, and guests of honour Sara and Jeff Wine and families recalled Jon’s caring and kind nature and said their lives have been all the better for having him as a friend.

 “The Welfare Board meant a lot to Jon, who followed in the footsteps of his later father Bernard and mother Sylvia who for many years supported many charitable causes,” said Stanley.

 Jonathan, founder member of thewellfairshop fundraising committee, helped raise many thousands of pounds and was dedicated to the cause.

 “Jonathan was devoted to the Welfare Board,” said his widow Pamela.  “In fact it was his favourite charity. He and his pals had enormous fun shlepping and selling for the toy stall for the annual Big Sale event.

 “He would have been so proud to see his name on the tree of life and to know that his friends thought so highly of him as to donate to this beautiful tree.”

 Attending the event were Jonathan’s mother Sylvia and children Ben and Sophie, and Pamela’s nephew Justin Donn and his wife Linda who have recently relocated from London to Leeds.

Words by John Fisher