The city of York is to welcome its first resident rabbi since the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 under King Edward I.
Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo, has been appointed to serve the York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC), founded in 2014, marking a “major step forward” in the movement’s progress.
Originally from California, Rabbi Salamo most recently served in Switzerland, at the Liberal Jewish Community of Geneva.
She has also worked as a rabbi, teacher and youth leader in the US, and South Africa, and describes herself as an advocate of interfaith dialogue and social action.
The rabbi, who arrived in the UK this week, said: “Helping to rebuild what was once one of England’s most vibrant Jewish communities - and which has such great potential - is an honour and a privilege.
“I look forward to meeting our current members and anyone with an interest in a Jewish journey.”
YLJC co-founder, and head of the rabbinic search committee, Ben Rich said: “With York’s unique history, this is a very significant moment not just for local Jews but nationally and internationally.
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Rabbi Dr Elisheva Salamo (Photo: Ben Rich)
“I hope that the whole Jewish community and its allies across the globe will want to help us on the next step of this incredible journey to bring Judaism back to this ancient and most beautiful of cities.”
Rabbi Salamo will begin her role in a part-time capacity, though the community hopes to raise the funds necessary to be able to employ her full-time by the end of the year.
Her first formal engagement will be to lead the community’s Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services in September.
One of the worst antisemitic massacres of the Middle Ages took place in York in 1190, when an estimated 150 Jewish people were killed or took their own lives rather than renounce their faith.
The victims had sought refuge from a mob of attackers in York Castle’s Clifford Tower, which was besieged and burnt down by locals as rumours spread accusing Jews of murdering Christian children. The incident went on to become known as the blood libel. Some Jews returned to the city after the massacre, and a community remained there until 1290.
