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Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the spiritual leader of one of the largest congregations in London and a former chief rabbi of Ireland, was named Britain’s chief rabbi-designate.
The appointment of Mirvis, 55, of the Finchley Synagogue, was announced Dec. 17 by the United Synagogue, an umbrella organization for Britain’s 65 Orthodox communities, the Jewish Chronicle reported.
He will be Britain’s 11th chief rabbi, succeeding Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who has served since 1991. Sacks will step down in September after announcing his retirement two years ago.
Mirvis, a native of South Africa, served as the chief rabbi of Ireland from 1985 to 1996. He also is qualified as a shochet (ritual slaughterer), mohel and cantor. — jta