Rabbi Gilles Bernheim is the newly elected chief Rabbi of France. This was determined today by the elective body comprised of Rabbis and community presidents from all parts of France. Rabbi Bernheim has replaced his predecessor, Rabbi Joseph Sitruk, who occupied this prominent position for the past 21 years and is well known for his positive connections with French authorities which he had utilized for the benefit of the Jewish community. He was especially renowned for his corrective relationships with former French President, Jacques Chirac.

In the current elections Rabbi Sitruk polled 80 votes, while Rabbi Bernheim’s poll exceeded that count to 180 votes.

The Rabbinical Centre of Europe that serves as the supreme Rabbinical body, uniting Rabbis from all parts of Europe lost no time in calling the new chief Rabbi to give him ‘the blessing of the way’. Representatives of the bureau of Rabbi Menachem Margolin reported, “Just as the results of the polls were publicized, Rabbi Margolin called Rabbi Bernheim, wishing him longevity on his new post, expressing his hope that his new role would by typified with the fortification of Judaism both on behalf of French Jewry and on behalf of European Jewry at large. The Rabbinate of France entails a powerful responsibility and we wish the new Rabbi success in all of his endeavors”.

The editorial staff also stated that “Today, after a 21 years period of office, we express our immense feelings of appreciation of the outstanding activities generated by Rabbi Sitruk, over which he presided gallantly for over two decades”.

In addition to the election of Rabbi Bernheim, a new community president, Mr. Joel Margi, was elected with 184 votes, overriding his leading competitor who polled 99 votes.