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Upon his installation, Chief Rabbi Mirvis identified cooperation, unity and togetherness as values that must underpin our relationships with other faiths, stressing that a harmonious society is one founded on mutual respect, not uniformity.

Looking beyond our primary circles of concern – our families, our friends, our communities – is an attitude that should not be applied to charitable endeavours alone, but to our regard for other religions. Embracing those different to ourselves is an imperative enshrined in Jewish scripture, the Torah exhorting us on 36 occasions not to oppress the ‘stranger.’

We must be wary of the fertile ground that ignorance creates for intolerance, taking it upon ourselves, as a socially-responsible people, to uphold the values that have allowed our liberal, multicultural and democratic society to flourish. Tolerance, inclusivity, respect and understanding – these are the pillars upon which harmony rests.

The Chief Rabbi strongly believes in the benefits of meaningful and constructive interfaith engagement, maintaining warm and positive relationships with fellow faith leaders, making visits to non-Jewish schools and affirming the need for greater awareness of other faiths.