More than a thousand people line Stamford Hill streets to mourn Haredi rabbi who drowned

Emma Bartholomew, Senior Reporter Tuesday, June 12, 2012
2:41 PM

More than a thousand people lined the streets of Stamford Hill last Wednesday to mourn a leading orthodox rabbi, who drowned off the Kent coast.

Rabbi Chaim Breisch, 65, was visiting his brother in law when he decided to swim in the rough sea off the Broadstairs beauty spot on Monday June 4.

His student Yitzhak Beigel, who is in his 30s, dived in to try and save Mr Breisch who was swept away by the strong tide, but was unable to reach him.

Mr Beigel was rescued by local café owner Paul Naisbitt, but Mr Breisch was rescued by an RAF helicopter and died in Marsgate hospital later that day.

Chanoch Kesselman, the executive co-ordinator of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, said he was “highly respected” and the whole community was “shocked.”

An inquest into the cause of death has been opened and adjourned.