Rabbi Chaim Joseph Sonnenfeld, the head of the Agudath Israel Community in Palestine, attained to-day his 83rd. birthday. The District Commissioner for Jerusalem, Major Campbell, and Mrs. Campbell, visited him at his home to convey their congratulations.
Rabbi Sonnenfeld, who has been living in Palestine for over 50 years, is one of the greatest living Talmudists. When he came to Palestine as a young man, he at once assumed the leadership of the extreme Orthodox section. He is an unbending antagonist of the Zionists, including the Mizrachi. Personally he is held in great respect even by his outspoken opponents as a scholar and a man of absolute sincerity. He has refused repeated offers of important Rabbinical appointments in order to remain in the Holy Land, and he lives a life of poverty.
When Rabbi Sonnenfeld celebrated his 80th. birthday in 1928, his community had intended to arrange a big reception in his honour, but he refused to allow any celebrations.
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