Manchester's Menorah (Cheshire Reform) congregation has appointed a well travelled rabbi as its new minister.
Rabbi Fabian Sborovsky, who takes up the post next month, was born in Paraguay, moved to Israel, has lived in Sweden and has been serving Rome's Beth Hillel Synagogue on a part-time basis. The 46-year-old is a graduate of the Abraham Geiger College at the University of Potsdam, where he received his semichah.
His appointment was unanimously approved at an EGM of the congregation, which, including children and associates, has 930 members. Congregants had the chance to meet him during a number of visits he made to the city. His partner, Jonas, is a statistician.
"Not only does he tick all the rabbinic boxes, but he is a wonderful human being," said board member Jonny Becker, who led the search for a successor to Rabbi Haim Shalom, who returned to Israel in August.
Menorah chair Howard Barlow added that the minister's "learning, erudition and engaging personality will enhance not only our congregation but will bring enormous benefit to the Manchester Jewish community".
Rabbi Sbor-ovsky said he had quickly embraced the shul's "wonderfully vibrant atmosphere and its meaningful, joyful, and empowering Judaism and sense of tradition. As rabbi, I intend to actively foster this love of Judaism."
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