Gilles Bernheim elected new chief rabbi of France

Rabbi Gilles Bernheim has been elected by the General Assembly of the 'Consistoire central israélite de France' (CCIF) as new the chief rabbi of France. Bernheim, 56, succeeds Rabbi Joseph Sitruk, 64, who served as France’s chief rabbi for 21 years. Bernheim is considered more liberal than Sitruk and said to favor dialogue with other religions and with civil society. He will serve a seven-year term as chief rabbi. Bernheim was runner up to Sitruk in the election for chief rabbi in 1994.

Meanwhile, the physician Joël Mergui, 50, until now president of the Paris Consistoire, was elected as the new president of the CCIF. He replaces Jean Kahn, who did not seek a new mandate.