Friends and colleagues of murdered student rabbi Andreas Hinz have been speaking of their horror at his shocking death and paying tribute to a wonderful, gentle and kind' man.

Rabbi Dr Michael Shire, vice-principal at the college in East End Road, said it was an horrific crime and shocking news'.

"We have been holding services almost every day," he said. "We have offered students post-traumatic counselling. They have been gathering together, which is very nice to see, looking after each other, but they have taken it very hard. He was such a good friend to all of them and he did so much for all of them."

Neil Amswych lived with Andy in a shared house in Windermere Avenue, Finchley, with other rabbinic students from the college.

He said: "What happened is absolutely tragic. Everybody loved Andy. I think almost everyone he talked to somehow saw Andy as a best friend. What he had was very rare.

"To the people that asked, he would never complain and he would always make everyone feel as though their thing was the most important. When he got time to socialise it was very treasured because he was so busy helping everyone else."

Andy, 37, grew up not knowing he was Jewish and ran his own publishing business in Germany until he was 35. "It wasn't making him a whole person, whereas studying to be a rabbi made him whole," said Mr Amswych.

Rabbi Irit Shillor, who has just been ordained having completed the five-year course at the college, used to work with Andy in Germany.

She said that earlier this year he had consecrated the first Liberal Jewish cemetery in Hanover, where he planned to be a rabbi.

She said: "He had a wonderful way of dealing with people.

"It was lovely working with him because I think we made a very good team. He was a wonderful gentle and kind man, and very humble."

His friend Laura Janner-Klausner, also on the course, said: "He was very sharp and funny and very dry and so willing to tease himself."

Mr Amswych added: "Andy regarded London very much as his home.

"He said coming here was the best decision he had ever made in his life."

A memorial service takes place on Thursday at Belsize Square Synagogue, Belsize Square, Hampstead, at 8.15pm.

July 18, 2002 12:00