Tributes to Sir Isaiah From The Jewish Chronicle
by Alison Ryde, Oxford
June 18, 2009
Oxford’s Jewish Heritage Committee was instrumental in securing blue plaque status for Headington House, Sir Isaiah Berlin’s home for many years, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
The plaque was unveiled by Peter Halban, Sir Isaiah’s stepson, at a ceremony attended by many family, friends and local dignitaries. Oxford Jewish Congregation invited Henry Hardy, editor of many of Sir Isaiah’s books, to discuss a Michael Ignatieff film in which Sir Isaiah discussed the influence of Judaism on his life. He was a long-time member of the congregation, whose president Kathy Shock was among those at a gala afternoon arranged by Wolfson College, of which Sir Isaiah was the founding president.
Dr Evie Kemp of the Oxford Jewish Heritage group, said: “This plaque is a commemoration of Sir Isaiah’s wonderful contribution to our local heritage.”
