Lord-fisher of Camden Dead at 74

Lord Fisher of Camden, chairman of the governing board of the World Jewish Congress and immediate past president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, died here last night at the age of 74. He was admitted to a hospital here a month ago after suffering a stroke.

Bom Samuel Fisher on Jan. 20, 1905, he was an official of the London Diamond Bourse and was Britain’s representative at International Diamond Conferences. He entered the House of Lords in 1976 after a distinguished career in local government as a member of the Labor Party which included serving as Mayor of the London Borough of Camden.

Lord Fisher, who was president of the Board of Deputies for six years, was possibly the most popular leader British Jewry ever had. His presidency was characterized by his sparkling wit, good nature and shrewd manner of reconciliation.

He was unflinching in his support for Israel, and under his leadership the community’s solidarity with the Jewish State remained unquestioned. He made the Board an effective foe of the rightwing National Front without aligning itself with the ultra-left.

Lord Fisher was also a vice president of Poale Zion; and president of the Friends of Magen David Adom, United Jewish Friendly Society and the Jewish Association for the Physically Handicapped.

Labor MP Greville Janner, who is now president of the Board of Jewish Deputies, said tonight that Lord Fisher was “a beloved servant of Britain and of the Jewish community” who brought a “pleasurable unity” to the Board through his humor and good nature.

In New York City, WJC president Philip Klutznick said today that in the WJC and Board of Deputies of British Jews, Lord Fisher’s “dedication, wisdom, generosity and graciousness of spirit earned him respect and affection of all who were privileged to work with him. Indefatigable in the service of his people, he was always available for special assignments.”