Letter to the
Jewish Chronicle
As a son to an Englishman who is familiar with the community
I am alarmed with the present dispute surrounding it. This, more than any other
dispute could bring to an end to a symphony of pride Judaism; could bring about the end of a community that contributed political leaders, leading
scholars and rabbis and outstanding financiers and philanthropists.
All Jews in England, are – at the outset – Jewish. Precisely
because we are all Jews there is a dispute between the Orthodox and the
Liberals or Reform. Orthodox Jewry does not wish to outcast a reform Jew.
On the contrary. Whatever is the
dispute, however large the gap, I, as an Orthodox Jew wish to add the member
of the Reform community to the minyan if he is the tenth man in my
synagogue. The dispute is over the question how do we all stay together in
spite of the differences. After all kol Yisrael areivim ze la’ze – all
Jews are responsible for one another.
The fact that England has one Chief Rabbi is a symbol of
that unity, in spite of all disagreements. The Liberals know that an orthodox
Chief Rabbi believes them to ''deviate from the faith''. They also know that
such deviation notwithstanding, the Liberals are Jews.
The Chief Rabbi had to recognize the late Rabbi
Hugo Gryn. Because of his contribution to the recognition of the Holocaust,
because of his contribution to the relationship between Jews, Christians and
Muslims. The Chief Rabbi did not attend the funeral, as the ‘’’religious
ceremony’’ challenged his beliefs. He did attend an evening in memory of Rabbi
Gryn, as this was not a religious affair. If we wish to maintain the unity of
the Jewish community, both Reform, Liberal and Orthodox Jews should appreciate
the policy of the chief rabbi and pay him tribute. All Jews should see to it
that England has one chief rabbi who will unite them all.
 |
| Rabbi Hugo Gryn |
Zalli Jaffe.
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