Orthodox rabbi Solomon Sharfman dies 

Rabbi Solomon Sharfman, a leader of Jewish Orthodox life in Brooklyn, New York, has passed away at the age of 89. He was a long time resident of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Flatbush. From 1938 until 1984, Sharfman lead Young Israel of Flatbush, a modern Orthodox congregation. In the late 1950s, he was president of the Rabbinical Council of America, which represents Orthodox rabbis. From 1969 to 1971, he served as president of the Synagogue Council of America, an umbrella organization representing the three major branches of Judaism. Sharfman died on 5 December in Jerusalem.