Chief Rabbi in historic first visit to Cyprus
Ephraim Mirvis calls island country "a special part of our Commonwealth of family nations" at start of whistle-stop tour of Jewish community
The Chief Rabbi has described his pride at making his first visit to Cyprus calling it a “small but outstanding community full of potential.”
Arriving in Larnaca for a two-day trip, Ephraim Mirvis was officially welcomed at the Jewish Museum of Cyprus by the country’s Chief Rabbi Arie Zeev Raskin and the ambassador of Israel to Cyprus, Oren Anolik.
Writing on his Facebook page, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said he had met with national and local leaders in Cyprus as well as members of the Jewish community, “to ensure that this small but dynamic community continues to thrive.”
Meeting the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at a special event to mark the 75th anniversary of the closure of British Internment Camps after the Holocaust, the Chief Rabbi wrote: “I am grateful for his ongoing support for the wonderful Jewish community in Cyprus.”
He also took part in the cornerstone laying ceremony for the Larnaca’s new King David School.
The office of Chief Rabbi Mirvis said the visit marked a “significant occasion for the Jewish community in Cyprus and underscores the strong bonds between Cyprus and the United Kingdom. His presence not only fosters interfaith dialogue and cooperation but also symbolizes unity and mutual respect among communities.”
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