The new choir season started on the 5th September, and we settled into learning Elgar’s The Kingdom. We welcomed new members and then marked a special occasion. After 50 years of singing service to the choir, at the ripe age of 93, Rudi Leavor had decided to step down. As a child Rudi was fortunately able to escape the Holocaust and in 1937 came to Bradford with his family. A bright child, he went on to train and work as a dentist. He is fully engaged with his Jewish roots and is President and Chairman of the Bradford Reform Synagogue and also works closely with the Muslim community. In 2017 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work with the Jewsih and Muslim communities.
Over 40 years ago Rudi wrote a cantata reflecting on the holocaust and this was finally performed with a full choir and orchestra this July, with quite a few Phil members taking part.
To recognise Rudi’s service, the Trustees of the Phil awarded Rudi a post as a “Lifetime Honorary Patron” and he was presented with a formal certificate before we all had a few drinks and nibbles.