A leading educator and interfaith promoter in the Gateshead community has died, aged 76.

Ezriel Salomon was head of Gateshead Jewish Primary for 35 years. He also helped set up an organisation to provide educational support for children with disabilities, established the Jewish Community Council of Gateshead and was a founder of Gateshead Interfaith Forum.

In 2010, Mr Salomon was awarded an MBE for services to the community. The following year, he received the Freedom of Gateshead. At the time, he told the JC: “I was privileged to be part of the process of fostering good relations between Gateshead Metropolitan Council and our community.

“My policy of ‘live, let live and live with’ was formulated by my tutor, Rabbi A Kohn.”

Paying tribute, Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon praised his “immense contribution” to the borough.