The Chassidishe Gatesheader: I don’t know who you are or when you turned up in Ghd, but I am fortunate to have been born there, learned in yeshiva there for 4 years, and then lived there for 7 years. About 10 years ago, Chief Rabbi Sacks paid a visit to Ghd, and when he walked into the Yeshiva Gedola Beis HaMedrash, THE ENTIRE Beis Hamedrash stood up as one to respect him. The Rosh Yeshiva welcomed him warmly and escorted him to sit next to him for Mincha.
I completely disagree with you that no one in Ghd knows who he is. When the Alter Ghd Rov opposed a statement the Chief Rabbi made in his book, he agreed and reprinted the book without the offending passage.
When people say that Chief Rabbi is inconsequential for the Chareidi community, they are so mistaken. Who stood up in the Lords to defend Shechita and Bris Milah? Who represents the Jewish community so eloquently to the Queen and Government? We have to have a lot of hakoras hatov to Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks and the United synagogue establishment. I don’t say that we (the Chareidi world) have to agree on everything the US do, but we cannot make light of the office of Chief Rabbi, as it achieves a great purpose that we are not in a position to do ourselves.
Just to clear up a few things.
1) The London Beth Din is made up of World class Talmidei Chachomim, and is officially the Court of the Chief Rabbi, with the Chief Rabbi officially being Av Beis Din. That is why Dayan Ehrentreu is/was called Rosh Beis Din. In practice he does not get involved in the inner workings of the Beis Din on a day to day basis.
2) Dayan Ehrentreu is retired, but is very active in the community and still travels Europe extensively for the CER and in other capacities.
3) The Chief Rabbi’s full title is the “Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth”
4) There are many YWN users east side of the pond. The world doesn’t end at Maine!
Let me wish Rabbi Mirvis Shlit”a great hatzlocho and siyatta dishmaya in his huge undertaking, ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ??? ??”?