Britain's new Chief Rabbi

The weak and the vulnerable in Britain must not be forgotten, the new Chief Rabbi warned today after taking up his post in a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 guests - including the Prince of Wales.

Ephraim Mirvis spoke of his pride in the record of the British Jewish community in charity as he was inducted as 11th Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the UK and the Commonwealth.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/keep-faith-in-the-power-of-charity-says-new-chief-rabbi-ephraim-mirvis-8793171.html

Reuters reports on Britain's new Chief Rabbi.

He signalled the orthodox United Synagogue would retain its traditionalist stance on single-sex marriage, which is at odds with rabbis in the Liberal and Reform synagogues at the forefront of the campaign for same-sex marriage.

"We have a clear Biblical definition of marriage, which is the union of one man and one woman, and through that we value traditional family life," Mirvis said in a BBC interview ahead of Sunday's ceremony.

As for the possibility of women rabbis, he responded: "In our tradition, men have occupied that role, and that is the format for Orthodox congregations".
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/09/01/uk-britain-rabbi-idUKBRE98009Z20130901

The Guardian discusses the new chief rabbi, in addition to quoting Reform's "chef rabbi."
"Chef" but not "chief?" Is she a rabbi who is known for her culinary skills?


Although many regard Mirvis as an unknown quantity, there is optimism that he will be a more unifying leader. He was the first rabbi from the United Synagogue to welcome an imam to his synagogue when Finchley held a gathering with members of the local mosque.

Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, chef rabbi for the Reform movement, has said: "Luckily, he's a fabulous chap who is multi-skilled, so we'll see where he goes."
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/ephraim-mirvis-uk-chief-rabbi