Rabbi Raffalowitch Formally Confirmed As Grand Rabbi

The Grand Rabbi of Brazil, Dr. Isaiah Raffalowitch, formerly Minister in Liverpool, who is the official repreesntative of the Jewish Colonization Association (Ica) in Brazil, has now been officially proclaimed as Chief Rabbi.

Although Dr. Raffalowitch has been in Brazil for a number of years, and has been generally recognized as the head of the Jewish Community, he had not received any actual documentary recognition on the part of the various independent communities in the different States. It had been taken for granted.

Recently, however, a local Jewish paper questioned the position, and in consequence, a small committee, half Ashkenazi and half Sephardi, was formed, which invited all Jewish centers in Brazil to demonstrate their solidarity behind the Chief Rabbi.

A big meeting was held, representing every Community in the Republic, at which declarations were signed by the representatives of the Communities, and in some cases by every member of the Community, confirming Dr. Raffalowitch in his office as Grand Rabbi. The declarations and signatures have been bound in albums and presented to Dr. Raffalowitch, and speeches were delivered, expressing to him the wholehearted support of Brazilian Jewry.

Congregation Shaarey Zedek, of Detroit, of which Dr. Abraham M. Hershman is rabbi, announced the election of Jacob H. Sonenklar of Chicago as cantor, beginning with the High Holy Day services. Cantor Sonenklar succeeds Rev. Elijah Zaludkowski, who resigned his Detroit post to become cantor of Congregation Shaarey Zedek of New York. To come to Detroit, Cantor Sonenklar leaves his post with Congregation Anshe Emes of Chicago, of which Rabbi Solomon Goldman is spiritual leader.