Coleção GB 0074 ACC/2805 - OFFICE OF THE CHIEF RABBI

117.53 linear metres

The archive was stored in Woburn House along with the records of the United Synagogue.
GB 0074 ACC/2805 1829-2004 Collection 117.53 linear metres Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth

The office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth (previously Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire) has evolved from the position of the spiritual head of the former Great Synagogue in the City of London. The Great Synagogue was the first foundation of the Ashkenazi community in England following the readmission of the Jews in 1656 and traces its origins to the late seventeenth century. Gradually throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries other Ashkenazi congregations in London and the provinces came to acknowledge the religious leadership of the Rabbi of the Great Synagogue. He gave spiritual guidance and was consulted upon points of religious law and procedures.

In 1764 a dispute arose between the Great Synagogue and the Hambro Synagogue over an appointment of a rabbi to the Plymouth Congregation, and the Rabbi of the Great Synagogue emerged as the leading figure. In time Askenazim Jews living in the British colonies overseas came to recognise the authority of the Chief Rabbi; the title itself dates back at least to the early nineteenth century.

Main responsibilities of the Chief Rabbinate:

1) Marriage authorisation: Before any marriage can take place in any synagogue under his jurisdiction in Great Britain the permission of the Chief Rabbi is essential. The relevant Orthodox religious laws represented by the Chief Rabbinate are thus adhered to by all concerned at the marriage.

2) Conversion: The sanction of the Chief Rabbi, or of a Rabbi whose requirements for conversion are recognised as valid by the Chief Rabbi, is required before any conversion is recognised by any congregation under his jurisdiction.

3) Appointment of rabbis: The synagogues under the jurisdiction of the Chief Rabbi must obtain a "Certificate of Religious and Moral Fitness" before they can be given positions.

4) Representation: The Chief Rabbi by long tradition is perceived as representing the Anglo-Jewish community on national occasions. He is patron to many non-Jewish as well as specifically Jewish charities, and charitable and educational foundations.

The position of a Chief Rabbi can be found in parts of western and central Europe and Israel. In Great Britian there is also the Chief Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Community (known as the Haham) which antedates the emergence of the Ashkenazi community here. No such position exists in the United States where rabbis of individual congregations may nonetheless exercise influence.

Rabbis of the United Hebrew Congregations:
Nathan Adler: 1845-1890;
Hermann Adler: 1891-1911;
Joseph Hertz: 1913-1946;
Israel Brodie: 1948-1965;
Immanuel Jakobovits: 1967-1991;
Jonathan Sacks: 1991 onwards.

The archive was stored in Woburn House along with the records of the United Synagogue.

Deposited in multiple accessions between 1990 and 2008.

The archive consists of the official working papers of the Chief Rabbinate from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Files, volumes, bundles of papers, photographs, prints, video tapes, publications and leaflets make up the bulk of the collection. The Chief Rabbis represented in this collection are Nathan Adler (1868-1901), Hermann Adler (1868-1921), Joseph Hertz (1899-1946), Israel Brodie (1917-1967), Immanuel Jakobovits (1913-1992) and Jonathan Sacks (1988-2004). Also included are some papers of the Deputy for the Chief Rabbi, Harris Lazarus (1942-1950).

The archive is primarily concerned with the activities of the Chief Rabbinate. Because of the cosmopolitan nature of the office there are files on Jewish congregations overseas which are of interest, also some papers on the Holocaust and its immediate aftermath (ACC/2805/06/05/1-11). The varying interests of individual Chief Rabbis are reflected in the collection: for instance Immanuel Jakobovits' role in Jewish medical ethics.

PLEASE NOTE: Records can only be accessed with the written permission of the depositor. Contact the Chief Executive, Office of Chief Rabbi.

Researchers should bear in mind that in some instances paperwork was handed down from one Chief Rabbi to his successor and may be catalogued with a later collection. Records which were not considered worthy of preservation were returned to the Office of the Chief Rabbi or destroyed with the Office's permission.

The archive of the Office of the Chief Rabbi was transfered to London Metropolitan Archives within discrete groups broken up by Chief Rabbinate. This order has been preserved with a sub fonds group for general material crossing Chief Rabbinates. Sub-fonds are as follows:
ACC/2805/01: General;
ACC/2805/02: Nathan Adler with Hermann Adler;
ACC/2805/03: Hermann Adler;
ACC/2805/04: Joseph Hertz;
ACC/2805/05: Deputy for the Chief Rabbi, Dayan Harris Lazarus;
ACC/2805/06: Israel Brodie;
ACC/2805/07: Immanuel Jakobovits;
ACC/2805/08: Jonathan Sacks.

Access by written permission only.

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.
English, Hebrew, German and French.

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

See also records of the United Synagogue, ACC/2712.

For further information please consult the LMA Information Leaflet: "Records of the Anglo-Jewish Community at London Metropolitan Archives"; available to download here: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/LGNL_Services/Leisure_and_culture/Records_and_archives/Visitor_information/free_information_leaflets.htm (URL correct Feb 2010).
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. Description prepared in March 2010, updated Jun 2015 Lazarus , Harris Meyer , 1878-1962 , rabbi Brodie , Sir , Israel , 1895-1979 , knight , Chief Rabbi Jakobovits , Immanuel , Baron Jakobovits , 1921-1999 , Chief Rabbi Sacks , Jonathan Henry , Baron Sacks , b 1948 , Chief Rabbi Religion Jewish Cultural identity Religious leaders Rabbis Religious organizations Religions Ancient religions Judaism Orthodox Judaism Religious institutions Religious communities Religious groups Jews Ashkenazim Hertz , Joseph Herman , 1872-1946 , Chief Rabbi Adler , Hermann , 1839-1911 , Chief Rabbi Adler , Nathan Marcus , 1803-1890 , Chief Rabbi Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Empire Office of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth London England UK Western Europe Europe

Deposited in multiple accessions between 1990 and 2008.

The archive consists of the official working papers of the Chief Rabbinate from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Files, volumes, bundles of papers, photographs, prints, video tapes, publications and leaflets make up the bulk of the collection. The Chief Rabbis represented in this collection are Nathan Adler (1868-1901), Hermann Adler (1868-1921), Joseph Hertz (1899-1946), Israel Brodie (1917-1967), Immanuel Jakobovits (1913-1992) and Jonathan Sacks (1988-2004). Also included are some papers of the Deputy for the Chief Rabbi, Harris Lazarus (1942-1950).

The archive is primarily concerned with the activities of the Chief Rabbinate. Because of the cosmopolitan nature of the office there are files on Jewish congregations overseas which are of interest, also some papers on the Holocaust and its immediate aftermath (ACC/2805/06/05/1-11). The varying interests of individual Chief Rabbis are reflected in the collection: for instance Immanuel Jakobovits' role in Jewish medical ethics.

PLEASE NOTE: Records can only be accessed with the written permission of the depositor. Contact the Chief Executive, Office of Chief Rabbi.

Researchers should bear in mind that in some instances paperwork was handed down from one Chief Rabbi to his successor and may be catalogued with a later collection. Records which were not considered worthy of preservation were returned to the Office of the Chief Rabbi or destroyed with the Office's permission.

The archive of the Office of the Chief Rabbi was transfered to London Metropolitan Archives within discrete groups broken up by Chief Rabbinate. This order has been preserved with a sub fonds group for general material crossing Chief Rabbinates. Sub-fonds are as follows:
ACC/2805/01: General;
ACC/2805/02: Nathan Adler with Hermann Adler;
ACC/2805/03: Hermann Adler;
ACC/2805/04: Joseph Hertz;
ACC/2805/05: Deputy for the Chief Rabbi, Dayan Harris Lazarus;
ACC/2805/06: Israel Brodie;
ACC/2805/07: Immanuel Jakobovits;
ACC/2805/08: Jonathan Sacks.

Access by written permission only.

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

• inglês

• latim

English, Hebrew, German and French.

See also records of the United Synagogue, ACC/2712.

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

• inglês