United Synagogue president Stephen Pack’s warning that Reform candidate Laura Marks would be a “divisive” choice as president of the Board of Deputies has been sharply criticised by his predecessor.
Simon Hochhauser, who chaired the US from 2005 to 2011, said Mr Pack’s intervention was “wrong in principle and as a tactic”.
Mr Pack said that last week that if Ms Marks were elected next month, it could result in the US distancing itself from the Board.
Dr Hochhauser, who chairs the circumcision defence group Milah UK, said: “The Jewish community is very healthily divided along many lines. The Board of Deputies is the one organisation where we all come together and we expect the diversity of views will be represented.
