11 July , 2006
Alan Senitt, a political campaigner from London and former aide to the vice-president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Lord Janner of Braunstone, has been stabbed to death in the US capital Washington. Police said that Senitt, 27, was trying to protect his female companion when they were targeted by armed robbers as they walked home in the early hours of Sunday. The former chairman of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), had moved from Britain to the US to work on Governor Mark Warner's presidential campaign. Two men, a youth and a woman, have been charged with murder. A police spokesman told the BBC News website: "The suspects demanded money and property. Then one of the suspects attempted to sexually assault the female."
Two men, aged 22 and 25, a youth, 15, and a woman, 26, were arrested shortly afterwards. Alan Senitt's parents Jack and Karen said the brutal death of their eldest son had left them devastated. "It will take us a lifetime to come to terms with our tragic loss," the family said in a statement. "We have lost a much-loved son and brother. The Jewish community as a whole has lost one of its bright young leaders and the wider world has lost a champion of peace and goodwill."
Alan had stood as a Labour candidate for Parliament at the last election and was about to start working. He had also been the UJS representative to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which in a statement said that his move to Washington DC "should have been a further step in a glittering career", adding: "We deeply mourn his loss and send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Lord Janner said that he had worked with Senitt for the past year and found him "very bright, very hard working. He was a delight to work with and this is a terrible tragedy to a young man reaching his prime. He was an outstanding young man."
The World Jewish Congress also issued a statement. “The Jewish world has lost a valuable leader and friend, cut down in the prime of life,” said WJC president Edgar M. Bronfman. “Alan was living proof that young leadership is genuine leadership with genuine results. He made an impact on inter-religious cooperation, the fight against anti-Semitism, supporting Israel, and connecting Jewish communities worldwide.”
“At a young age, Alan was already an inspiration for a generation of young Jewish activists,” noted Israel Singer, chairman of the WJC Policy Council. “His determination and insight helped drive our international agenda with Christians and Muslims. Our hearts go out to Alan’s family, the British Jewish community, and all those who knew and respected Alan as a Jew, a friend, and a professional.”
