Synagogues across north London have welcomed Ephraim Mirvis as chief rabbi after he was installed in a ceremony attended by Prince Charles yesterday.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who was previously rabbi of Finchley Synagogue, succeeds Lord Jonathan Sacks.
He was ushered in as the new chief rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth in a ceremony held at St John’s Wood synagogue, which was attended by Prince Charles as well as Jewish and other faith leaders.
It is the first appointment of a chief rabbi in more than 20 years.
Dr Michael Harris, rabbi of Hampstead Synagogue in West Hampstead, knows Chief Rabbi Mirvis well and has welcomed his installation.
He said: “Making synagogues not just a place for prayer but for cultural activity is certainly what we try and do in Hampstead Synagogue and it’s something he did very successfully in Finchley. It’s a very good approach.”
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