Rabbis say a fur ban would not threaten shtreimels

Dozens of leading UK and world rabbis have backed calls for a UK ban on fur sales, denying claims the restriction would pose a threat to shtreimels. 

Thirty faith leaders said in a letter to environment minister Lord Zac Goldsmith that restrictions on the fur trade as endorsed by campaigners would include exemptions for the traditional hats worn by Charedim.

UK signatories include Senior Masorti Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg and Liberal Judaism chief executive Rabbi Charley Baginski.

It also notes that legislation introduced in California in 2019 contained a similar provision.

Israel outlawed the sale of fur earlier this month, though the legislation set to come into effect in six months allows for some exemptions including for shtreimels. 

The letter also expresses hope “Jewish faith is not used as a device to oppose such progressive and compassionate legislation.”

“Tradition is important, but so too is compassion and ethics, and indeed the two are interlinked. 

“It may well be that one day all shtreimels will be faux fur, but in the meantime a UK fur sales ban has our support and we hope that going forward the Jewish faith is not used as a device to oppose such progressive and compassionate legislation,” signatories said.

The letter comes after Great Britain launched a public consultation - set to end on 28 June - on whether to impose a ban on the import and sale of fur.

Fur farming was banned in England and Wales in 2000 and extended to Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2002.