Dr Pinchas Toledano is the Hakham (Chief Rabbi) of our community. He succeeded Hakham B. Drukarch z.l. after he passed away in 1998.
Hahkam Toledano hails from a family of rabbi’s (dayanim) whose history goes back to the Spanish Inquisition. He studied at several yeshivot in the UK and Israel. At the age of 20 he received his semikha (rabbinical degree). He is a certified shohet (ritual slaughterer), sofer (ritual scribe) and mohel (circumciser).
In 1969 he graduated from London University with a degree in Semitic Languages. In 1980 he received his Ph.D. His dissertation focused on the relationship between Rashi’s commentary and the Targumim.
In 1974 he was appointed dayan of the Sefardic beth din (rabbinical court) in London and was appointed ab beth din (head of the court).
Hakham Toledano has published a number of works, and is world-renowned Posek (decisor). He is widely lauded for his ability to unify the challenges of the modern era with the demands of Jewish law, without losing sight of the interests of the individual.
During his installation as Hakham of our community in March 2012, he was addressed by Rabbi Marc D. Angel of our sister congregation Shearith Israel in New York, who wrote the attached article about the installation.
Contact
E-mail: rabbinaat@esnoga.com
