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Miriam Shaviv

ByMiriam Shaviv, Miriam Shaviv

Analysis

Are all eyes on Meir Soloveichik for Chief?

August 30, 2012 08:54
Rabbi Meir Soloveichik at the Republican National Convention
1 min read

When Rabbi Meir Soloveichik delivered the blessing at the opening of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, all eyes in America were on him - as were, probably, quite a few eyes in United Synagogue HQ in London. Although the US will not confirm its list of candidates, there are clear indications that young Rabbi Soloveichik - he is only 35 - has been in serious discussions regarding the soon-to-be-vacant post of British chief rabbi.

Soloveichik is commonly regarded as the brightest Orthodox rabbi of his generation, drawing comparisons with Lord Sacks. He is assistant rabbi at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun in Manhattan, and director of the Straus Centre for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University, which combines Jewish studies with secular philosophy.

For the Republicans, the fit is natural. Soloveichik writes regularly for conservative publications and has testified in Congress against a bill that would force Catholic organisations to pay for contraception for their employees through their medical insurance.

For Britain, Soloveichik may be more complicated. He was first approached as a potential chief rabbi earlier this summer, when the search committee decided that local candidates lacked "star power". Whether he is still in the race is unclear, but just three weeks ago a source close to the search process said he dazzled in interview.