June 22 next will be the election of the Grand Rabbi of France.
Two contenders who have already opposed in 1994. To my left Joseph Haim Sitruk , outgoing incumbent, already 3 terms of 7 years under his belt since he assumed the office in 1987. On my right Gilles Bernheim , already a candidate in 1994 but more than decided to actively campaign with the support of several personalities of the community.
Actually, this election is more than an opposition between two rabbis. It's a completely different view of French Judaism and the Jewish community in France is at stake This post is intended as a modest contribution to illuminate a debate not always highlighted by the Community institutions or by the Jewish press (Jewish News collects the full page ads every week but caution is unbelievable on this hot topic).
The Grand Rabbi Sitruk: a review recognized
Honor to outgoing begin with the Grand Rabbi Sitruk. Charismatic figure, he must remember the way he ascended to the post in 1987. Having presented at the time against the Grand Rabbi RS.Sirat outgoing, he was already an opposition of style. The Chief Rabbi Sirat was a respected figure in the intellectual world for his knowledge of Judaism both in traditional academic one, for his positions often nuanced and subtle on various subjects. But he lacked the essential at the time: results. He lacked a big success in the field showing that he was capable of changing the things in the community and the position of Grand Rabbi of France could be anything but a simple honorific.
"Jo" Sitruk him, everything came fresh from his visits to Strasbourg as rabbi of youth, but especially in Marseille, where he literally woke up the local Jewish community. When I speak of "awakening" is a very real way it is quantified: building schools, building synagogues, study circles, multiplication of kosher restaurants and shops and renewal of identity very powerful. Of course, the time is appropriate and the Grand Rabbi Sitruk is not solely responsible, but we must recognize that it was under his leadership that the community of Marseilles took off. The idea of the major constituents of the Central Consistory in 1987 was to determine whether such a potential could be expressed on all France.
Somehow, this was the case . From 1987 to today, the synagogues were filled again, kosher restaurants have reached an unexpected and much more and more Jews have found the path of Judaism sometimes lost. What was the influence of the Grand Rabbi Sitruk in this "revival"? The organization of large events like the Yom Hatorah, talents oratories widely disseminated or his great ability to move easily in political and community have certainly been crucial elements in what might be called a success objectively the Chief Rabbinate.
must also remember the strong bond has been able to create the Grand Rabbi with some followers of the community or even outside of it. His stroke in 2001 gave rise to very strong attachment to brands that have shown clearly that the Chief Rabbi is a public figure is a benchmark (or an icon) for many Jews who could rediscover their Judaism through his activism. And of course, the character himself is very endearing language is clear, often tinged with humor, always well-placed references to the audience to which it is expressed with true sincerity, etc.. ..
An example?
In 1997, the synagogue was completely renovated Buffault for 120 years and for the occasion, the Grand Rabbi Sitruk gave a speech to the rededication of the synagogue. It should be known that the directors of Buffault (always top-of-shape on special occasions) are very very proud of their community. They consider it the finest, richest and most original in Paris. This, I tell you the case of many communities, but Buffault is very exaggerated. Rabbi Sitruk knows. And now in his speech, he said:
"My dear friends, you all know this Midrash. When God told Abraham that the people who descend from him will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, Avraham looked up at him. And then he saw the multitude of stars above him. But a star, among all, shone more than all others combined. Avraham asked
- God, what is this star among the others who shines thousand fires?
- Avraham, this star is a star called Buffault and shine for over 120 years within your people and inform her beauty! "
Believe it or not, but all administrators have taken a big happy smile and certainly believed firmly that God had really said that to Avraham Avinu. Demagoguery? Certainly in part. The fact is that the message has hit home. The unique relationship of the Grand Rabbi Sitruk has indeed always possible to have very good relations with its constituents (rabbis, presidents of communities) in the heart of always having to give them the Kavod (from honor) and attention. Kavod deserved or not is something else, say that the electoral base is solid.
problematic aspects
It should not overshadow some of the more unrest and largely ignored the different mandates of the Grand Rabbi Sitruk.
First, its distance from formal institutions and in particular the one that elects and gives him the status of Grand Rabbi of France: the Consistory. Institution may be dated and out of breath, but the Rabbi has never really helped during his tenure.
One example among others: the Chief Rabbi Neuilly lives in France. He first attended the consistory of Neuilly community, but after a few years, rising one "custom", more in keeping with its halachic and ideological views. At the limit, why not if this structure had been built in the Consistory to solidify it in a city extremely promising in terms of community development.
Except that the Alef Centre since it was from him that this is an institution completely independent of any historical community structure. However, it is a success after the synagogue and study center, has emerged Collela a (place of study for married men), a seminar for women, a kindergarten and a primary school, a body holiday (Alef Entertainment), etc., etc. ...
To take a metaphor entrepreneurial, I doubt that Renault-Nissan Carlos Ghosn very much like to go to a gauge to help Volkswagen to increase its sales. It may be objected that the situations are not comparable because the key is the well-being of the community? It would be wrong to think so: the money that went to Alef has not gone away and the time that Rabbi Sitruk Alef past, he has not spent for development of communities of the Consistory. The Consistory is an outdated model? He had to try and fight for change from within rather than creating a separatist model has major implications on the direction of the community.
The other criticism that is sometimes misused to Rabbi Sitruk, is his "fundamentalism" or "communalism". It is more complex than that. It is completely silly or absurd to criticize his "fundamentalism" to a rabbi who encourages his flock to get close to the Torah or perform the mitzvot. Yet this echo we hear from some quarters who regret the time the French Israelism was combined with a respect that part even more detached from the main practices of Judaism.
However, it is possible to criticize the Rabbi Sitruk, is his vision of French Judaism. or rather absence of vision of Judaism itself French. Direct consequence of globalization and technological advances, communication between France and Israel has never been so simple and easy. It is also true for the religious and halakhic. Rabbi Sitruk genuine admiration for the world of Bnei Brak Lithuanian and a tendency to regard it as an absolute in terms of Jewish life. Hence its consistent references to the masters of Bnei Brak for wide variety of situations and without taking into account the specificity of Jewish life in France. This was extremely perverse effects on the development of the Jewish community in France:
- The return of Jews to religious practice was done on a "Haredi" Lithuanian considered THE model back to Judaism
- Unlike the U.S. or Israel, the emergence of a modern-orthodox current was blocked . There is no disciple in France of Rav Soloveitchik or JD from Yeshiva University, that is to say, a stream which combines the study of texts, the rigorous practice of mitzvot, the opening science and secular culture and a life in tune with current issues of City
- In reaction, and in the absence of this movement, media and grown increasingly interested in Judaism, its culture and his education turned to liberal or conservative communities (Masorti), conducive to a test synthesis with the western world today but partial or complete break with the Halakha, however, essential to a base authentic Jewish life.
Which, for a rabbi who advocates the respect of tradition is a clear failure , especially as it is from these people culturally rich that can spring a real enriching Jewish thought, talking to a French Jew of the XXI century, which energizes the spiritual state of a community.
There is now more of Levinas, Andre Neher Manitou or that can stimulate debate and offer both a way of thinking of the XXI century Judaism integrated in a changing world, respect for mitzvot, and the study of texts in their most enlightening.
This aspect of "Haredisation" is visible and Rav Sitruk not hiding to follow this model. Yet some of its decisions which might be poorly received by French audiences are rarely made public in order to retain sympathy capital available to the Chief Rabbi.
One example among many: in many French communities, two specific prayers are recited at the office Saturday morning. One to bless the State of Israel. One for the IDF soldiers. Their writing is a direct reference to the State of Israel (Medinat Israel), the quasi-messianic existence of that state (Reshit Tsmihat Geoulatenou: the beginning of our deliverance), military Israel Defense as a military state (SVAT Haguana LeIsrael) etc ... In short, these texts recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and particularly by the religious Zionist movement that francophones familiar through the works of Manitou or website Cheela.
As a disciple of the masters of Bnei Brak, the Grand Rabbi Sitruk not read these texts . Indeed, they provide an important theological importance to the State of Israel, what the Haredim have always refused, although always sitting in the Knesset (which they see as a trustee of a building ...). Understanding that this situation is untenable for the Jews of France because of their strong attachment to Israel, Rabbi Sitruk wrote a special text, which can include the land of Israel, its people and those who risk their lives to protect Jews living in Israel, but without direct reference to the state nor the IDF. Text it has of course taken the precaution to validate the decision Haredi Israelis. Yet, to my knowledge, Rabbi Sitruk was not widely disseminated its text. He did not specifically fought for his beliefs. He may have had reason to write a new text. But it is not a workhorse, so it goes to the root of the spiritual significance of the State of Israel.
Maybe it just proves that man is a political end.
Another problematic element: how the Grand Rabbi Sitruk gave a spiritual vision of the major issues that the Jewish world is facing? What is his personal analysis of major texts of the tradition? His weekly classes, always lively, interesting and varied do not demonstrate a personal vision . These are essentially aggregates existing comments without position and without personal Hidouch (novelty in interpretation) major.
When you look at the publications of the Grand Rabbi of France during his 21 years, in addition to the prefaces and collective works, there are two books ("go" and "Nothing beats Life ) which are essentially very attractive returns and provide valuable information about the life of Rabbi Sitruk, but with little work on the text. However, it seems that Grand Rabbi of France is also someone who can disseminate and explain how much the Jewish tradition Rabbinic and is able to speak to a Jew living in France in 2008. And to do about a work of research and personal analysis.
Finally, if you focus on the campaign itself, that which is currently the Chief Rabbi Sitruk is rather strange. When you walk on his campaign website, it is striking to note that:
- the case for re-election is primarily focused on the past ("I have done so much for this community"), on the sentimental ("I love you too much to leave you") and very little about a specific program
- the visuals used in the clipboard sometimes leave perplexed. In one of them, we see the Chief Rabbi surrounded by many children with the slogan "The Torah to your children." If one takes the trouble to look more closely, we realize several things. First, that the photo was taken at the Centre Alef. Certainly, there's no way out. After that said children are really just .... Boys. Would this mean that girls have no right to the Torah? In any case, we do not see in the picture. Finally, we do not understand what the Rabbi wants to do for youth. He placed his last term under the sign of youth. A Apart from the development of the school's Center Alef, what has he done for her? What has he done for example the most important French Jewish youth movement which he himself is drawn and to whom he owes so much (including his wife), I appointed the EEIF? Answer: Apart from a recorded message for the 80th anniversary in 2003, absolutely nothing.
- What is this mysterious "Day of Unity" held June 15 at the Zenith? Should we think, as we hear from some supporters of the Grand Rabbi, that the mere fact that Gilles Bernheim comes to the election is a potential risk of division Jewish community?
short, we are puzzled, even disappointed to see that Rabbi Sitruk's campaign is not a campaign project, but rather a demand for a plebiscite based on the true commitment of the community towards its primary spiritual leader . Would it be so certain of winning for not deigning to enter the arena of debate? Answer June 22
The Grand Rabbi Bernheim: a challenger
Meanwhile, his current rival, the Grand Rabbi Bernheim deploys resources hitherto unknown to present his project in regular pubs ActuJ, slick website, call to support community personalities, etc. ...
His program, rather detailed, as criticism is recessed from the action of the Grand Rabbi Sitruk past 21 years:
- Do not create an institution outside of the Central Consistory ( pseudo-hidden reference to the Centre Alef)
- The direct reference to the State of Israel (Rabbi Sitruk's pubs do not mention that "communities of Israel" and not the state)
- The desire to be much more attentive to the sensitivities of Judaism
- An action for Jewish youth (reference the lack of initiatives to Rav Sitruk youth movements)
- A real action around the Holocaust and teaching (the positions of Rav Sitruk sometimes equated with the Holocaust in a form of divine punishment)
- Etc, etc. ...
short, the Grand Rabbi Bernheim willingly opted for a campaign of challenger, detailing his agenda, his desires, covering a maximum of issues affecting the Jewish community today. This is indispensable because he left with multiple disabilities.
First, his knowledge of the network of community and the Presidents of the rabbis (who remember the key voters in the election) is much less refined than those of Rav Sitruk. Many are indebted to him and may be reluctant to "betray" a candidate who plays a lot on the emotional fiber in his campaign.
Then, positioning community. Popular CSP + for its opening to the great problems of the city (discussed in particular in his book A Rabbi in the city ), for his teaching often deep but always based on the key texts of the tradition (Talmud, but also commentators Hasidic Tzadok as Rabbi Hacohen of Lublin, in his beautiful book concern for others), the Grand Rabbi Bernheim has no close connections with the Haredi community in Israel and is rarely referred to the teachers considered the Great of our generation (Guedolei Hador): Eliashiv Rav, Rav Auerbach, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, etc ... Despite a personal respect
the strict Halacha, the Grand Rabbi Bernheim is not considered a master of Halakha, the rabbinic body can be complicated. Let us be clear, I do not think there's any major differences between the Rav and Rav Sitruk Bernheim (like it sounds worse, evidence of a different positioning) on their proficiency the halakha. But Rabbi Sitruk has always shown signs of deep attachment to the great halachic decision (albeit for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, this is not so clear). Gilles Bernheim is less clear. Hence his insistence that and I think sincere in his desire to mark the Halakha "strict" is also his territory. More
- do we have the right to attend public school without a kippa?
- can we accept women in the boards of national and regional presbyteries?
- who can we accept as witnesses at weddings celebrated at the synagogue?
- Are there specific Halachot apply to homosexuals?
- etc, etc ... Of course
a Beth Din exists in France. But it must be more visible and that its decisions are widely disseminated. This is apparently the will of the candidate Bernheim.
Another of his disability is due to the action in comparison with the Grand Rabbi Sitruk. Some voted for Sarkozy in 2007 primarily because they considered him a professional and above all because it is certain that he would act. The Grand Rabbi Sitruk defeated Chief Rabbi Sirat because he was crowned by his consequent action in Marseille. And he has since proved that the action was a quality that had not left: organization of Yom Hathor, multiple trips and relationships, creation and development of learning centers, etc ... In short, he acts.
In the case of Rabbi Bernheim is much less clear. The verb is much deeper and appreciated, as it is difficult to identify precisely what made the Grand Rabbi Bernheim in his current role as Director of Torah and Company of the Consistory, as Chief Rabbi of Victory. Publications certainly very interesting indeed fundamental to articulate a vision. But what's real? Is attendance increased Victory? Does the proposed activities are in full development? Maybe there are things that are treated in private but you can not connect?
In any case, hangs over the candidacy of Rabbi Bernheim this important question on his ability to make and to decline all operationally relevant strategic strengths of his campaign.
To finish this very long post already, do not ignore the question of the longevity of the position. 21 years in the same position, is not it too? Are we really able to renew itself in the same office after 21 years of activity? The Grand Rabbi Sitruk himself seems to say no: the program is minimalist and rather based on slogans and the main argument for its continuation is the unbreakable link would be created between him and the community.
But this community is not doing well. It is highly polarized, still prey to assimilation, the Jewish education in Jewish schools is very much room for improvement (to put it mildly) and the adequacy of a authentic Jewish tradition with the Western world of the XXI century with full transformation is not yet done, the proof is the low level of intellectual elites of the Jewish country. These topics where the positions of Gilles Bernheim is perhaps sharper than those of Joseph Sitruk.
The election of 22 June will not give any keys to answer these questions, but it will be a real choice between two very different visions of the future of the French Jewish community.
There's still plenty to say about this election. By June 22, perhaps more tickets on this subject ... but only if the passionate crowd. Is this the case?
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef 
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