The United Synagogue

Dayan Ehrentreu To Retire As Head Of The London Beth Din

PRESS COVERAGE

London, 18th May, 2006

DAYAN EHRENTREU TO RETIRE AS HEAD OF THE LONDON BETH DIN

By Alex Sholem

The head of the London Beth Din Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu is set to retire the position at the end of the year after more than two decades in charge of the rabbinical court.In an announcement on Tuesday, United Synagogue President Dr Simon Hochhauser said Dayan Ehrentreu planned to retire after Chanukah, shortly after he celebrates his 74th birthday.

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks described working with the Dayan as “one of the real delights” of his chief rabbinate. He added: “The Dayan possesses a rare combination of authority, wisdom, compassion and understanding of our community.”

The Beth Din is believed to have chosen a successor who will start his job at the end of the year. Dr Hochhauser said: “Over the past few years the Dayan has also taken steps to ensure that the Beth Din will continue to be served by a team of highly qualified and experienced Dayanim who have benefited significantly from his guidance and leadership.”

It was also announced this week that one of the US’s most experienced rabbis, Edgware’s Rabbi Benjamin Rabinowitz, is also to retire. Rabbi Rabinowitz, who has led the community for 25 years, plans to make aliyah but has agreed to stay on in his role until January 2007, to allow the shul time to find a replacement.

He told the Jewish News: “It’s a wonderful community and we have lots of friends and supporters here so we are going to find it very difficult to say goodbye. But I feel we’ve left the community in a very good condition.

“There are many who have tried to dissuade us from leaving but after serving Anglo-Jewry for more than 35 years it is time.”

-END-

Published with permission of the Jewish News© - January 2007
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