We warmly welcome the Chief Rabbi’s decision to attend Limmud. It is a decision that is consistent with the best traditions of Anglo-Jewish orthodox rabbinic leadership – promoting an open, approachable and inclusive Judaism whilst adhering to a firm halachic framework.

We deeply regret the publication of a formal Gilui Da’at (Declaration of Opinion) by a number of Orthodox rabbis which claims that those who attend Limmud will, by implication, not be viewed favourably by God.

The declaration has the potential to cause great harm to our community and appears to be rooted in tactical power play, as opposed to religious principle.

It also misrepresents Limmud which is not an organisation promoting pluralism. It aims to increase levels of Jewish engagement, literacy and commitment.

To seek to dissuade Orthodox Rabbis and others from taking the opportunity to articulate the classic Orthodox Judaism which has sat at the heart of this community for over three centuries is a shocking failure of leadership.

Keith Barnett, Alex Brummer, David Dangoor, Mick Davis, Jonathan Goldstein, Michael Goldstein, Simon Jackson, Lord Michael Levy, Steven Lewis, Richard Loftus, Hilton Lorie, Lord Jon Mendelsohn, Alan Mendoza, David Menton, Adam Musikant, Stephen Pack, Gerald Ronson, Peter Sheldon, Sir Harry Solomon, Louise Solomon, Jonathan Solomons, Michele Vogel, Arnold Wagner, Vivian Wineman, Michael Ziff, Sir Bernard
Zissman, Sabah Zubaida