NEW YORK – Rabbi Yisroel Mantel, a leading Orthodox rabbi based in Washington Heights, New York, has announced he intends to seek the role of Gateshead Rov, the chief spiritual authority of the northern England Jewish community, according to Jewish News.
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Rabbi Mantel has served the Kehal Adath Jeshurun congregation—also known as “Breuers”—for nearly 20 years. Meir Bodner, head of the Gateshead Kehilla organisation, described him as a highly respected Torah scholar with decades of communal leadership experience and said the community is “honoured” that Rabbi Mantel is standing for election.
He will visit Gateshead this weekend to deliver lectures and sermons, giving residents the chance to meet him before the community votes. Unlike many other Jewish communities, the Gateshead Rov is chosen by a vote of all male members rather than a small board and oversees the town’s Beis Din (rabbinical court).
The position has been vacant since 2020 when Rabbi Shraga Feivel Zimmerman left to lead the Beth Din of Kehillas Federation in London. Rabbi Mantel, originally from Antwerp, consulted with rabbinic authorities and decided to relocate to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He had previously declined the role to remain with his Washington Heights congregation, founded in 1939 by Rabbi Dr. Joseph Breuer after fleeing Nazi Germany.
He has my vote
The article conveniently forgot to mention, that Rav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, also had been a Rabbi at a branch of Khal Adath Jeshurun, before becoming the previous Gateshead Rov.
I thought it was already a final deal, not sure its bkovodik for a rav of his stature to have to “campaign” for “votes” for this position.
a kehilla without a rov for 5 years !! that speaks volumes
I surmize that Rav Mantel is scared of mamdani, so is running out of NYC.
yu is in charge now, breurs should just join