Reform rabbi’s son drowns on honeymoon in Philippines

The sculptor son of well-known Reform Rabbi Jonathan Romain has drowned in the sea while on honeymoon in the Philippines, writes Adam Decker.

Benedict Romain, 34, whose father is the rabbi at Maidenhead Synagogue, was caught in a rip tide as he celebrated his wedding to wife Stella, 30.

An active member of the RSY youth movement, Benedict was one of four brothers, and both his parents – Jonathan and mum, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan – are past chairs of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors.

Benedict studied fine art at Cardi and Oxford before earning a living by making art pieces for film and TV sets. One of his sculptures is a prayer book turning into a dove, which has pride of place at the entrance to his dad’s synagogue.

Having been an RSY camp madrich, Benedict later blew the shofar for High Holy Days and acted as a cheder volunteer, where he was “adored by the children”.

Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Romain said Benedict’s wife Stella had been left “distraught”, adding that his body was being repatriated imminently.

His role as rabbi was helping him, he said. Having o ciated at hundreds of funerals and grieved with many congregants over the years, he said, “it makes me aware that my grief is not unique and that many others have su ered searing pain too, so there is nothing exceptional about what our family is facing”.