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Simon Rocker

United Synagogue says yes to women leaders

By Simon Rocker, December 6, 2012

Orthodox women in the UK have hailed an historic breakthrough after the chief rabbi and United Synagogue leaders cleared the way for them to become chairmen of synagogues.

Since US women were first permitted to become local synagogue officers in 2001, they have been restricted to the roles of vice-chair or financial representative.

Golders Green rabbi is "unfit to serve"

By Simon Rocker, November 30, 2012

The Golders Green rabbi accused of inappropriate conduct with women should quit his congregational post, according to a senior religious figure.

Rabbi Chaim Halpern resigned last week as a dayan of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations following allegations about his counselling sessions for women, but indicated he would continue to lead the synagogue he runs in his home.

Chief Rabbi panel ‘no longer credible’

By Simon Rocker, November 30, 2012

A meeting of the committee responsible for finding the next Chief Rabbi broke up this week without being able to agree a name.

The six men and two women who have been conducting interviews on behalf of the Chief Rabbinate Trust met on Monday night to consider their options a year after the search officially began.

Beware the women bishops vote

By Simon Rocker, November 30, 2012

The Church of England found itself the object of widespread anger and derision last week after its governing body, the Synod, narrowly failed to approve the creation of women bishops.

To British Jews, it must seem like another family’s problem. But the fallout may yet have consequences for other faiths.

Are Jewish schools good for Judaism?

By Simon Rocker, November 29, 2012

In 1964 ITV launched a groundbreaking documentary, 7 Up, which interviewed a group of seven-year-old children from across Britain; seven years later the programme-makers went back to see how they were growing up and returned for subsequent series. Now comes what UJIA research director Dr Helena Miller is calling “our Jewish 7 Up”.

Finchley primary school recruits head

By Simon Rocker, November 26, 2012

The cross-communal Jewish primary school due to open in Finchley next September has appointed its head.

Marc Shoffren, director of studies of North London Collegiate’s junior school and a former deputy head of Clore Shalom, will join the project full-time in April.

Clore Shalom school will not wait for change

By Simon Rocker, November 23, 2012

A Jewish primary school is to press ahead with controversial changes to its admissions policy which will leave several children in its nursery without a place in reception next year.

The cross-communal Clore Shalom primary, in Hertfordshire, was forced to amend its entry rules after a complaint was upheld against it by the Office of the School Adjudicator in August.

Rabbi stands down in the face of allegations

By Simon Rocker, November 23, 2012

A leading member of London’s strictly Orthodox rabbinate this week resigned as a dayan after being confronted over allegations of inappropriate conduct with a number of women.

Is Mirvis main man for chief rabbi post?

By Simon Rocker, November 22, 2012

United Synagogue president Stephen Pack, who is leading the search for the next chief rabbi, declined comment this week on reports that it had now come down to one name.

The Church chose. Why are we still waiting on a chief?

By Simon Rocker, November 18, 2012

The appointment last week of the new Archbishop of Canterbury should be of Jewish interest in one respect at least: it took only eight months after Rowan Williams announced his retirement for the Anglican Church to name Bishop Justin Welby as its new head.

Clore Shalom school admission policy under new scrutiny

By Simon Rocker, November 15, 2012

Department for Education officials are seeking an urgent meeting with a Jewish school in an attempt to defuse a dispute over its admission policy that has seethed during the past month.

Salford arrest over alleged sex assault

By Simon Rocker, November 9, 2012

A member of the strictly Orthodox community was arrested in Salford on Wednesday on suspicion of sexual assault.

The 47-year-old man has been bailed by Greater Manchester Police to return in early December.

We have an archbishop, but not a chief rabbi

By Simon Rocker, November 8, 2012

The new Archbishop of Canterbury will be formally named tomorrow - who is expected to be the Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby.

It took the Anglican Church eight months to choose their next head after Rowan Williams announced he was stepping down in March.

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Oz is wizard box office for New Israel Fund

By Simon Rocker, November 8, 2012

The UK branch of the New Israel Fund celebrated a record attendance and pledges from its annual dinner as it is honoured one of Israel’s leading lights in London on Sunday.

Some 450 guests raised £260,000 — double last year’s result — at the dinner, where author Amos Oz was presented with the organisation’s human rights lifetime achievement award.

Faith leaders warn over opt-out organ donor plan

By Simon Rocker, November 8, 2012

A proposed new policy on organ donation in Wales is causing consternation, with the Board of Deputies warning it could be the “thin end of the wedge” for Britain as a whole.

Haringman is leader of the presidential pack

By Simon Rocker, November 8, 2012

The Hampstead Synagogue chairman has become the first recipient of a United Synagogue award to mark the contribution of honorary officers.

Michael Haringman — the senior partner in a commercial law firm who has chaired his congregation since 1997 — was presented with the President’s Award at a reception at the home of Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks on Monday.

BBC’s Washington reporter rapped over ‘lobby’ remark

By Simon Rocker, November 8, 2012

A BBC correspondent has been criticised by the Board of Deputies for using the term “Jewish lobby” in discussing the American election.

Washington correspondent Katty Kay, in a recent Twitter question and answer session, had been asked why both American President Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney were “so defensive” when questioned about their commitment to Israel.

US rabbi out of chief race

By Simon Rocker, November 6, 2012

The odds on the next chief rabbi coming from Britain shortened after an American rabbi tipped for the post said this week that he was not in contention.

Rabbi Dr Jonathan Rosenblatt, of the Riverdale Jewish Centre, New York, who had met the selection panel, said on Monday that he was “not involved in the chief rabbi search”.

Pro-Israel peer to speak on defence for LibDems

By Simon Rocker, November 2, 2012

Former Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel chairman Lord Palmer of Child’s Hill has been appointed the party’s lead spokesman on defence in the House of Lords.

The Golders Green Synagogue member and Barnet councillor was made a peer two years ago.

Lords’ anti-Israel bias shocks Liberal Democrats peer

By Simon Rocker, November 2, 2012

One of the most recent Jewish members of the House of Lords has said he feels “uncomfortable” at what he considers disproportionate criticism of Israel in the chamber.