Former UK Chief Rabbi Sussex dies

LONDON (AP) – Former UK Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sussex, who led the Jewish community with his regular radio broadcasts, has died at the age of 72.

He died early Saturday morning, according to a statement on his Twitter page.

Kothali left the post in 2013 after serving for 22 years as the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congress of the Commonwealth, the leader of the British Jews.

The next chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the world had lost an “intellectual giant that had a changing global influence.”

For many in the UK, Sussex was known for its regular broadcasts on the BBC Radio 4 – “Today” fixtures on the network’s flagship morning news program.

Mohit Bakaya, controller of the radio channel, said Sussex was a man of “great intelligence, humanity and warmth”, with contributions to the “Thought of the Day” segment being “some of the most skilled.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined in paying tribute to Sex, saying his leadership “has had a profound effect on our country and the world at large.”

Tox Blair, who was prime minister for the time being the chief rabbi of Saskatchewan, described him as “a man of vast intellectual rank but a man with the hottest human spirit.”