The Federation of Synagogues has hired Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, the head rabbi of the Gateshead Jewish community, to serve as the new head of its Beth Din, with the Federation's president of the organisation describing it as "marking a major milestone in the renaissance" of the organisation.
Rabbi Zimmerman has been the head rabbi of Gateshead and leader of its Beth Din since 2008, when he moved to Britain from America. He had previously served as the rabbi of a community in Monsey, prior to which he had served as a Dayan (judge) for the Kehal Adass Yeshurun community (Breuer's) in Washington Heights, Brooklyn.
Andrew Cohen, president of the Federation, described how Rabbi Zimmerman as someone "acknowledged as one of the most influential leaders and poskim (people who rules on issues of Jewish law) in this country", and said he would "provide the Federation and the wider London community with a transformed level of Rabbinical authority and leadership.
"He will also be tasked in driving forward the vision and strategic growth of the Federation and enhancing its rapidly expanding range of valued communal services. This appointment is a recognition and endorsement of the significant achievements of the past five years and we are truly excited at the future prospects under his leadership and guidance.”
