THE NEW RABBI.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 March 1913, Page 4

THE NEW RABBI.

Joseph ffermann Hertz, M.A., Ph.D., who was last month elected Chief Rabbi in succession to Dr Hermann Adler, was born at Rebrin, Hungary, in 1872. When quite a child he emigrated to New York, where he was educated' at the City Collie, at Columbia University, which conferred upon him his doctrate, and at the Jewish Theological Seminary. In 1894 lie became Rabbi of a uongregation at Syracuse, and dn 1898 was called to the Witwateiv;rand Hebrew congregation at Joliannesburg. During Dr Hertz's rabbinate there, the troubles which culminated in the South African War became acrute, and he, was appointed to speak at the - Uitlander -meeting of the re.religious disabilities which was held, in, Johannesburg in 1899. When tile war broke out, Dr Hertz was expelled from the Transvaal by order .of President Kruger, but returned 'to his labours theme after the British occupation, remaining * Rabbi in Jdluurtnesburg until last yea«r, when lie was called to become Rabbi of an important congregation in New York. At the invitation of the United Svna&ogue of London Dr Hertz visited: England a few months ago with a view of becoming a candidate for the vacant rabbinate, and he. preached in several .synagogues in London anil the provinces. He is a powerful extempore preacher, a.n<l speaks with equal fluency in English, German, and Yididish. He is a fine Hebrew scliolar, and his capacity in rabbinics was recognised by the late D r Adler, by whose authority Dr Hertz performed 'rabbinic functions in Johannesburg. It is interesting to note that l>r Hertz is the fifth to occupy the office of Ohief Rabbi since the -•return'.if-- .the Jews to England under Cromwell—the corresponding office, that of Haham, being confined to the Sephardic section of the community, who form to-day but a very small proportion of Anglo-jewry.