Dayan Menachem Gelley has been appointed head of the London Beth Din, a position unfilled since the retirement of Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu in early 2007. Since that time Dayan Gelley has held the position of senior dayan, fulfilling many of the functions and responsibilities of the Rosh Beth Din.
Born in Gateshead, he studied at yeshivot in the north-east and Israel and trained as a dayan in America before joining the London Beth Din in 1993.
Announcing the appointment, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said "Dayan Gelley's impressive knowledge of Jewish law, coupled with his humanity and sensitivity, make him a worthy occupant of this significant spiritual leadership role within the Jewish world".
Dayan Gelley expressed gratitude to Rabbi Mirvis, fellow dayanim and the United Synagogue "for their confidence in me. I pray to God for the wisdom and strength to serve in this capacity for the best interests of the community."