Dr. Jacob Herzog, deputy director of the Israel Foreign Ministry and Israel’s former Ambassador to Canada, was unanimously nominated last night by the Special Committee of the Chief Rabbis Conference to the post of Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth.
The nomination by the Special Committee headed by Sir Isaac Wolfson and including 35 other members is only a recommendation which will come before the full Chief Rabbinate Conference only if Dr. Herzog accepts the nomination A British-Jewish delegation is expected to meet with Dr. Herzog in Israel shortly to discuss the offer.
Dr. Herzog, who was born in Dublin, is the son of the late Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog, former Chief Rabbi of the Holy Land and before that, Chief Rabbi of Ireland. In addition to serving in Israeli diplomatic posts in Ottawa, War saw and Washington, the younger Dr. Herzog was director of the Israel Foreign Ministry’s United States division.
If Dr. Herzog accepts the nomination, the choice of the Special Committee is certain to be endorsed by the full Chief Rabbinate Conference which is due to convene in about two weeks. Dr. Israel Brodie, who has served as British Chief Rabbi since 1948, is scheduled to retire later this month.
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