Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris

Emeritus Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris has passed away. He will always be remembered with love and respect.

Suzanne Belling from the Pretoria News:

Emeritus Chief Rabbi Cyril K Harris (OBE), described by the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa (UOS) as one of the greatest leaders of South African Jewry in contemporary times, died in Hermanus yesterday after an 11-month battle against cancer. He would have turned 69 on September 19. A spokesman for the UOS said his body would be flown to Jerusalem today for burial there. "He was the conscience of the community who guided us from the dark days of apartheid into a democratic order. He has left behind an unparalleled legacy of spirituality, morality, justice and truth," the spokesman said. Glasgow-born Harris arrived in South Africa to take up his post in 1987. He outlined his mission at his induction in the former Great Synagogue, Wolmarans Street, Johannesburg, as: "The continuity of traditional Judaism as a living force; the preservation of the bonds of the Jewish people with the State of Israel; and the practical application of Jewish ethical teachings to the South African scene." Fondly known as the "African Chief", he represented the Jewish faith and said a prayer at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as President. A special bond was forged between Mandela and him. An acclaimed orator and writer, Harris appeared on numerous television programmes and also published his autobiography For Heaven`s Sake: The Chief Rabbi`s Diary. Within the Jewish community, he served on the Jewish Board of Deputies, the SA Zionist Federation, the Board of Jewish Education, the board of the SA Jewish Report and even described himself as an "honourary woman" with the Union of Jewish Women. Harris and his wife Ann were recipients of the British Commonwealth Jewish Council`s award for their services to South African Jewry. He was on the Queen`s Honour`s list for an OBE this year. Harris leaves his wife, two sons and five grandchildren.

Update

Bloghead has left a comment at IAS linking to his obit for Chief Rabbi Harris. Bloghead is an old friend of Chief Rabbi Harris and you can find his obit here. He mentions the Rabbi's involvement in MaAfrika Tikkun - a Jewish led charity organisation which creates community transformation and upliftment projects for all disadvantaged people in South Africa.

Comments

[Paul Shaviv]

See my obit for the Canadian Jewish News:

http://bloghd.blogspot.com/2005/09/rabbi-cyril-harris-zl.html

Yehi zichro baruch.