Chief Rabbi appoints ‘Rosh Beth Din’
The Chief Rabbi is delighted to announce that Dayan Menachem Gelley has been formally appointed as Rosh of the London Beth Din, the Court of the Chief Rabbi, a position not held since it was vacated following the retirement of Emeritus Rosh Beth Din Chanoch HaCohen Ehrentreu in January 2007.
Since that time Dayan Gelley has held the position of ‘Senior Dayan,’ fulfilling many of the functions and responsibilities of the Rosh Beth Din, but has now been appointed by the Chief Rabbi Mirvis, who holds the title of Av Beth Din, with the full support of the President and Trustees of the United Synagogue. Dayan Gelley was born in Gateshead and studied at Gateshead Boarding School, Sunderland Yeshiva, where his father served as Rosh Yeshiva, and Ponevezh Yeshiva in B’nai Brak, Israel, before moving to the Gateshead Kollel. He trained as a Dayan at Batei Din in the United States and Israel before joining the London Beth Din in 1993. Announcing the appointment, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said,
“It is my privilege, as Chief Rabbi, to work with my Court, the world-renowned London Beth Din. I am delighted that Dayan Menachem Gelley has accepted the invitation to become Rosh Beth Din. Dayan Gelley’s impressive knowledge of Jewish law, coupled with his humanity and sensitivity, make him a worthy occupant of this significant spiritual leadership role within the Jewish world.”
Dayan Gelley commented,
“I am grateful to the Chief Rabbi, my colleague Dayanim and the United Synagogue for their confidence in me with this prestigious appointment. I pray to G-d for the wisdom and strength to serve in this capacity for the best interests of the Community.”
Stephen Pack, President of the United Synagogue, said,
“With more than twenty years of service and experience at the London Beth Din, the Trustees of the United Synagogue welcome this extremely important appointment which recognises the esteem in which Dayan Gelley is already held across the communities of the United Synagogue and beyond.”
