London - Rabbi Berish Englander: Investigation opens into his death

Dov Berish Englander

London - An inquest has been opened into the death of a rabbi who got into difficulties in the sea off Aberystwyth.

Berish Englander, 47, of Stamford Hill, north London, died at Bronglais Hospital following the incident on Thursday morning.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton confirmed Rabbi Berish Englander's name and address at the hearing on Friday.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

A guest at the Glengower Hotel on Aberystwyth seafront raised the alarm shortly after 08:00 BST on Thursday.

Milford Haven Coastguards alerted Aberystwyth RNLI inshore lifeboat and a coastguard rescue team.

An RAF Sea King helicopter from Valley on Anglesey was also called out.

The lifeboat crew pulled the rabbi from the water and he was taken to hospital, where his death was confirmed.

'Extremely righteous'

Rabbi Berish Englander was described as a highly respected member of London's Orthodox Jewish community in reports in the Jewish Chronicle on Thursday.

The newspaper said he was in the sea performing a ritual bath called a mikveh.

The Chronicle described the Ceredigion town as a popular resort for strictly Orthodox families.

A member of the Jewish Orthodox community who is on holiday in Aberystwyth and knew Rabbi Berish Englander paid tribute in a statement.

He said: "He was an extremely righteous and very, very prominent and respected rabbi in our community.

"He was a good example to all. He was the kind of man you would take your children to meet, to use him as an example to the children.

"He was very kind and generous and gave an enormous amount of money to charity. He will be missed by everyone who knew him."

Dyfed-Powys Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

 Source: BBC News