According to a Chadrei Chareidim report, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger has dropped out as a candidate for the position of the UK’s next chief rabbi. Current Chief Rabbi Prof. Jonathan Sachs has announced his intention to step down.
According to the report, members of the UK Jewish community are seeking a chief rabbi with academic credentials, which the chief rabbi lacks. In addition, they point out the rav’s name has been linked to too many questionable reports in the past, and as such, they do not view him to be a suitable candidate.
The new name being announced is former cabinet minister Rabbi Michael Melchior, who is a retired chief rabbi of Norway.
Melchior, 57, was born in Denmark, is affiliated with the left-wing religious Meimad Party. He comes from a rabbinical yichus, and received smicha from a number of rabbonim, including Rabbi Simcha HaCohen Kook Shlita in 1980 and from Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita. He has been living in Eretz Yisrael since 1986.
Elections for the post are set for 2013, and until that time, one can assume there will be other candidates in the race.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Great, England needs a chacham and a statesmans in one package.
#2, you are correct. Malchior is neither!!
They selected Melchior… wow… seems like the nominating committee has spent to much time in that new kosher pub.
David, are you illiterate? Who selected Melchior? Where did you get the idea that he was selected by anybody, or that he’s even being seriously considered by anyone who matters?
Dave10, you are correct, there are many better candidates. Rabbi Shochet would be an excellent choice.