First Jew to be high sheriff of Nottingham is installed in synagogue ceremony

The first Jew to hold the office of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire was installed in a ceremony at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue (NLS).

Nick Rubins – one of the synagogue’s most valued and dedicated members – has taken on the role, which was created 900 years ago and is the oldest secular office under the Crown.

Among the 150 guests at the ceremony were the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Veronica Pickering, Dean of Southwell Nicola Sullivan, Progressive Judaism co-lead Rabbi Charley Baginsky and many members of the synagogue, including its chair, Paula Scott.

Together they witnessed Rubins sign his Declaration of Office.

NLS’s Rabbi Gili Zidkiyahu gave the priestly blessing, wishing Rubins every success in all of his undertakings in the coming year. There were also presentations by representatives of the charities Rubins will be supporting during his tenure and music from Jeremy Sassoon.

Rabbi Baginsky said: “I was so honoured to join Nick, Gili and all at Nottingham Liberal Synagogue for this amazing and historic moment – as a Progressive Jew has become the first ever Jewish High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.”