Sephardi Chief Rabbi’s visit from Israel heralded as having ‘huge impact’

Israel’s Sephardi Chief Rabbi’s first visit to the UK was heralded as having a “huge impact” on the community.

Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef toured synagogues, schools and met community leaders during his first trip to Britain from Israel.

Yosef addressed a national conference of Sephardi Rabbis at Lauderdale Road, and attended events at both Bevis Marks and Hechal Leah synagogue.

The Israeli Chief also met students at numerous schools, including Yavneh College, The Independent Jewish Primary School, Nancy Reuben Primary and Naima JPS, before holding a meeting with Stamford Hill community leaders.

The visit was called “an inspiration and a great source of strength” by Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the UK’s S&P Sephardi Community.

He added: “His visit has had a huge impact on us all which will be long lasting and influential.”

The S&P Sephardi Community is the oldest Jewish congregation in the UK, after being established in 1656.