The Council of Moroccan Jewish Communities, after considerable delay, presented today to the Moroccan Interior Ministry the name of Rabbi Mikhael Encaoua for the vacant post of Grand Rabbi of Morocco. The new Grand Rabbi is 61 and a son of the late revered Grand Rabbi Raphael Encaoua of Sale, a city near Rabat.
After the departure of Grand Rabbi Saul Danan as spiritual head of the Moroccan Jewish community, the Interior Ministry asked the Council to designate a successor. Rabbi Encaoua had been an assistant to Grand Rabbi Danan and acted as vice-president of the Moroccan Supreme Rabbinical Tribunal when that court was in existence. Approval of the nomination by the Interior Ministry is expected as a routine procedure.
Rabbi Simon Suisse, judge of the Jewish community of Mazagan, was named today attorney for the King in Mazagan by Justice Minister Abdelhadi Boutaleb. Rabbi Suisse will continue his functions as rabbi and judge. The Mazagan Jewish community which, prior to Morocco’s independence, had 2, 400 Jews, now has 500 Jews.
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