Gateshead’s Rav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman takes the helm of England’s Federation of Synagogues
Photos: Shuli Smus Photography
A
s Shabbos parshas Shelach approached, word began to spread throughout British Torah Jewry that the Gateshead Rav, Rav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman, would be leaving his position for London, where he’d assume the title of rav and av beis din of England’s Federation of Synagogues. “Normally, it takes me ten minutes to walk down Golders Green Road to shul on Shabbos morning,” Andrew Cohen, president of the Federation, told me. “Last week, it took me an hour, as every person I passed offered his congratulations upon the Federation securing the leadership of Rav Zimmerman.”
In Gateshead, Rav Zimmerman’s Shabbos afternoon shiur in Pirkei Avos drew an audience of 300 instead of the usual 150, including some of the roshei yeshivah and leading rabbanim of the community. They came to listen to Rav Zimmerman reflect on his 11-year tenure as rav of Gateshead.
I spoke at length to Rav Zimmerman to hear his thoughts on leaving behind the premier public mission of his life and entering a new stage of public involvement. It’s clear that the move brings mixed feelings — anticipation of the challenges and opportunities ahead, along with bittersweet goodbyes to a cherished community.
But back when Rav Zimmerman was offered the rabbanus of Gateshead in 2008, it wasn’t clear that the Monsey-based rav would make the move at all. “Before accepting the rabbanus in Gateshead, I consulted with a long list of great talmidei chachamim,” he said, “and only two told me definitively to take the position.”
Create a free account to keep reading.
