ELECTION OF CHIEF RABBI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15261, 27 March 1913, Page 4

ELECTION OF CHIEF RABBI.

ENGLISH JEWRY DIVIDED.

[from oVr own correspondent.]

London, February 14. It is stated on high authority that should Dr. Hertz be elected Chief Rabbi, there will be. a cleavage in Anglo-Jewry, and evidence in support of this is forthcoming from the very weighty protest made by the clergy and congregations in London and the provinces, which has been presented to Lord Rothschild.

Tho text of this runs :—''We beg to urge the imperative necessity of a postponement of the election of a Chief Rabbi on the following grounds: (a) That the proposed appointment involves the filling of an office of the highest authority in the religious affairs of the entire AngloJewish community, and cannot fail to influence the future of Jewry in all parts of the British Empire, and indeed in all English-speaking countries, (b) That the sphere of activity and the influence for good of any Chief Rabbi must depend upon the general recognition of his scholarship ability in organisation and powers as a spiritual guide, (c) That neither of the two candidates submitted by the committee of selection possesses the qualifications necessary to secure for him the allegiance of either the clergy or the general body of the community, or to fill adequately an office of such great dignity and importance, (d) That rabbis of the necessary eminence who, on account of their high position, cannot apply for the post are available, if a call were given, instead of an invitation to a contest, (e) That the result of an election made in the existing circumstances must inevitably be the creation of division in the community, the diminution of the authority of the titular Chief Rabbi, tho dissolution of the single tie . which has hitherto united all communities of English Jews and the limitation of the office to one of merely local influence." .

Dr- Hyamson, who is one of the candidates, has definitely decided to sail for America if Dr. Hertz is appointed, and his arrangements,to that end are already made despite the fact that increased remuneration and other material advantages to remain in London have been offered , him He has officially stated that he j could never serve under Dr. Hertz, and ' in case this attitude should be misconstrued he has authorised the Standard to state that it is quite independent of. the fact that he himself is the other candidate. Dr.. Hyamson's one concern *is to have the best man appointed to the position. The loss of Dr. Hyamson's services to the Jewish community would be a calamity. He is unquestionably the greatest living authority on Jewish law on English Jewry, and his services to the community have been of incalculable benefit. This fact was openly acknowledged on several occasions by the late Chief Rabbi, in „ whose absence Dr. Hyamson frequently acted as deputy- • Apart, however, from these facts, it is computed that at least 95 per cent, of the Jewish community are opposed to the election of Dr. Hertz. Quite recently he was candidate at the new West End Synagogue which became vacant on the death of the Rev. Simeon Singer, and he was not elected. This fact makes Dr. Hertz's candidature for the Chief Rabbinate all the more remarkable, declares the Standard. A prominent Jew stated:—"The election of Dr. Hertz will mean the break-up of organised Jewry in this country. The East End will not follow him, nor will the provincial congregations, and the vast majority of the members of the United Synagogue are entirely adverse to his selection."