A letter from Liberal Judaism President, Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein, forms part of the Board of Deputies’ Condolence Book for HRH Prince Philip.

The Book, which features contributions from the entire Jewish community, was this week sent to Buckingham Palace. You can read it in full here. Andrew’s words, for which he has received a card of thanks from the Queen, are copied below.

—

As President of Liberal Judaism, I am sending condolences on behalf of our Movement in the form of a special prayer read out at all of our 40 synagogues this past Sabbath. It was specially composed by one of our senior rabbis, Rabbi Mark Solomon.

Prayer on the Death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Sovereign of the Universe, who gives salvation unto rulers and dominion unto princes; together with Britain and the Commonwealth, we mourn the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his hundredth year of life. We give thanks for his long life, for the seventy three years of his marriage to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and for the constancy and strength with which he supported her through the long years of her reign.

We honour his courageous service as a decorated naval officer in the Second World War, his inspiring leadership of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, and his dedication to the conservation of nature and the environment, among all his other acts of devoted public service.

We think of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and pray that they will find comfort in their loss and inspiration in the example he gave of dignified service. Above all, we think of our dear Queen in this time of her loss, and pray that she will find comfort through these dark hours and days in the recollection of their devoted partnership and their shared ideals of royal duty, as well as the deep affection of her family, the nation and the Commonwealth.

May the Duke of Edinburgh rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing. God Save The Queen! Amen.

I add my personal words of condolence and appreciation for the life of Prince Philip, and my hope that you and your family find comfort in his memory and in the myriad of tributes that are pouring forth. He was so clearly admired and loved.