Haïm Korsia
| Grand rabbin Haïm Korsia | |
|---|---|
| Chief Rabbi of France | |
 Haïm Korsia, 2014. | |
| Yeshiva | Séminaire israélite de France |
| Organisation | Central Consistory of France |
| Began | 22 June 2014 |
| Predecessor | Gilles Bernheim |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
September 27, 1963 Lyon, France |
| Nationality |
 France |
| Alma mater |
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Haïm Korsia (born 23 September 1963) is the Chief Rabbi of France.[1] He was elected by the Central Consistory to fill the position originally vacated by Rabbi Gilles Bernheim, the previous chief rabbi, who resigned over a scandal involving accusations of plagiarism.[2] He defeated the interim chief rabbi, Rabbi Olivier Kaufmann, in June 2014 to begin a seven-year term as the leader of France's Jewish community.[3] He also acts as the Jewish chaplain of the French army.[4][5][6]
Early life and education
Korsia was born in Lyon, France, to parents who had immigrated from Algeria. His father was a prominent rabbi.[7]
Chief rabbinate role
Martine Cohen, an expert on Judaism and Jewish topics at the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris noted that Korsia's election to the chief rabbi position portends a shift to more “Modern Orthodoxy,” from the conservative leanings of earlier administrations. Korsia's role begins at a time of difficulty for the French Jewish community, the largest Jewish community in Europe. There has been a rise in anti-Semitic activity, economic problems, increased emigration and corruption issues.[8] Korsia embraced a more liberal position on Jews born to non-Jewish mothers and Jewish fathers, calling them “seed of Israel” even though they are not viewed as Jewish according to Orthodox standards. He also seems to be concerned about women's issues. He announced directives supportive of women who have been refused a "get" or Jewish divorce by their husbands. Shortly after assuming his new role, Korsia appointed Dolly Touitou to a new position responsible for addressing complaints filed against the French Jewish religious services organization. This was viewed as an egalitarian move, supportive of women's rights, and considered "bold" in a community that is primarily Sepharidic. Prior to 1990, women were not allowed to vote in Consistoire elections. Women also were prohibited from standing for office themselves until 2006, when French courts struck down the prohibition.[9]
In the wake of terrorist attacks in France by Muslim extremists in January 2015 in which some of the victims were Jewish, Rabbi Korsia called on the Jewish community to galvanize the effort to invigorate French society’s concept of fraternité (brotherhood). He rejected the idea that the solution in emigration or capitulation. Instead, he likened the difficulties faced by Moses and his followers at the Red Sea: “Sometimes the only way is to enter the Red Sea — to go in and rebuild a new solidarity, rebuild links between Christians, Protestant, Catholics, Muslims, and Jews, and rebuild hope,” said Korsia.[10]
Works
- Etre Juif et Français : Jacob Kaplan, le rabbin de la République, Broché, Editeur : Editions Privé, 2006, ISBN 978-2-35076-023-0
- A corps et à Toi, Broché, Editeur : Actes Sud, Collection : Le souffle de l'esprit, 2006, ISBN 978-2-7427-6497-6
- La Kabbale pour débutants, Broché, Editeur : Trajectoire, 2007, ISBN 978-2-84197-423-8
References
- ↑ "French Jews elect new chief rabbi". JTA. June 22, 2014.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Bryant:Haim Korsia, France's New Chief Rabbi, Calls For Inclusiveness For All Jews"http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/24/haim-korsia-france-chief-rabbi_n_5523272.html
- ↑ "French jews Elect Haim Korsia as New Chief Rabbi: Army's Jewish chaplain wins 7-year term"http://forward.com/articles/200572/french-jews-elect-haim-korsia-as-new-chief-rabbi/
- ↑ "INTER-RELIGIOUS PRAYER CEREMONY FOR THE 228 VICTIMS OF FLIGHT AF 447." 7th Space Interactive. 3 June 2009. Retrieved on 3 June 2009.
- ↑ "13:13 - DISAPPEARED AIRPLANE: PARIS, INTER-RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN NOTRE-DAME THIS AFTERNOON (2)." Servizio Informazione Religiosa. 3 June 2009. Retrieved on 3 June 2009.
- ↑ Lichfield, John and Audrey Jacquet. "Unsafe for Jews? France is shaken by Sharon's jibe." The Independent. Tuesday 20 July 2004. Retrieved on 3 June 2009.
- ↑ "Cnaan Liphshiz:In France, new chief rabbi embraces change"http://www.jta.org/2014/11/13/news-opinion/world/in-france-new-chief-rabbi-embraces-change
- ↑ Haim Korsia, France's New Chief Rabbi, Calls For Inclusiveness For All Jews Huffington Post, 24 June 2014
- ↑ Is France’s new chief rabbi staging a reformation? The Times of Israel, 14 Nov 2014
- ↑ Now is the time for fraternité, says France’s chief rabbi Times of Israel, 9 Jan 2015
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