Tributes to ‘the rabbi’s rabbi’ Dayan Ehrentreu, following his death, aged 90

One of the Jewish community’s greatest rabbinical figures and former head of the London Beth Din has died, aged 90.

Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu, who passed away at the Royal Free Hospital this week, was described by the Chief Rabbi as “an exceptionally learned and fearless leader”. Ephraim Mirvis added: “His warmth touched countless hearts and his enduring legacy of commitment to Torah values and scholarship will enrich our communities for generations to come.

“He will forever be remembered as ‘The Dayan’ – whose sincerity and sense of principle established him as a great leader of our generation. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his extraordinary Rebbetzen Ruchie and all of his illustrious family.”

Born in Frankfurt in 1932 to a family of rabbis and six years old during Kristallnacht, his grandfather was the Chief Rabbi of Munich during Hitler’s attempted coup in 1923. When his family emigrated to the UK, he went to school in Letchworth, then onto Hasmonean High School, before studying at Gateshead Yeshiva.

Rabbi Daniel Epstein of Western Marble Arch synagogue said: “He wasn’t just at Gateshead Yeshiva, he was Gateshead Yeshiva. He was our gold standard for everything. It’s devastating. He was just the ultimate Dayan. He was a real and very strong figure, kind and compassionate.

“We all felt very reassured that he was here. He married (my wife) Ilana and I at Western Marble Arch and told us that we should dedicate our lives to Torah. Twenty-five years later, here we are. That to me is everything. He always took an interest in everything we did. He just knew where people were. He was the ultimate pastoral carer for us. He was the rabbi’s rabbi.”

Ehrentreu founded the Sunderland Kollel in 1960, which he led until 1979, before becoming the communal rabbi of Manchester from 1979 to 1984. He is credited with the success of the UK’s first public eruv in north-west London and lobbied for improving the lives of agunot (chained wives) through his lobbying for the 2003 Act of Parliament which prevented Jewish men from receiving a civil divorce without a get (religious divorce).

This marks the end of an era. Dayan Ehrentreu had an international reputation of the highest order.

He was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his contribution to the Jewish community.

Dayan Gelley of the London Beth Din, said: “Dayan Ehrentreu’s towering presence crowned Anglo Jewry and European Jewry for many decades. He was a giant in halacha, in chessed and in wisdom, accessible to young and old alike. His courageous leadership, wise counsel, warmth and empathy won him the respect and admiration of all who came into contact with him.”

Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, said: “Dayan Ehrentreu was a true Torah giant. His contribution to deciding complex issues of Halacha was of unparalleled importance in our age in the UK, in Europe and far beyond. As Av Beth Din of the European Beth Din of the Conference of European Rabbis, his passing is a huge loss to us all. Our hearts go out to Rebbetzen Ruchie and the whole family. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Michael Goldstein, president of the United Synagogue, said: “This marks the end of an era. Dayan Ehrentreu had an international reputation of the highest order. With his unwavering commitment to Halacha, he served our community and Beth Din with distinction. Under his leadership, the London Beth Din became an institution respected across the Jewish world and by all sections of the community. His deep humility and personal touch will be remembered by everyone he came into contact with. This is a sad day for the United Synagogue family and the entire Jewish world. We wish a long life to Rebbetzin Ruchie and all the Ehrentreu family.”

A spokesperson for the CST said: “We mourns this sad loss together with all the Jewish community. ‎He was an exceptional person who was instrumental in guiding CST in halachic matters. CST’s trustees, staff and volunteers send their condolences to his wife and family.”

Rabbi Alan Garber of Shenley United Synagogue said: “This is a huge loss for Anglo and world Jewry – an inspiring, compassionate leader and teacher with a wide knowledge of both Jewish and worldly wisdom.”

Fertility support organisation Chana said: “The Dayan was our rabbinic patron and a mainstay of our organisation as a whole, from our earliest beginnings nearly 30 years ago. He was a towering figure in the Jewish world, whose Halachic rulings were internationally sought and respected. Alongside this, he was also a giant in his understanding of reproductive medicine, with an expertise in combining the two fields that was second to none. His passing leaves an aching chasm at the core of our organisation.”