Warren Goldstein
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Warren Goldstein is the Chief Rabbi
of South Africa
since 2005. Born in Pretoria
, he currently lives in Johannesburg
. He is the first Chief Rabbi of South Africa who was born in South Africa and the youngest person ever to be appointed to that post, at age 32.
While practising as a rabbi he completed his Ph.D. at the University of the Witwatersrand
Law School
. His Ph.D. thesis
compared
western
and Jewish law
and was published as a book entitled Defending the Human Spirit: Jewish Law's Vision for a Moral Society. Rabbi Goldstein's thesis is that Talmud
ic law was ahead of its time in terms of political rights, women's rights
, criminal law
and poverty alleviation. "I see Western laws as coming round full circle to positions always held by Talmudic law."
He was appointed by the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa on the recommendation of a selection committee made up of leaders of all the Jewish communal organisations. Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris supported his appointment and, until he fell ill, he helped train Rabbi Goldstein into his new position. Because of his illness, Rabbi Harris was not able to attend the inauguration of his successor but sent a message to be read out. In it, he said: "Rabbi Goldstein is known as a Master of Torah, a Doctor of Laws, and a fierce campaigner on behalf of the vulnerable. His appointment is most welcome. Moreover, amid the turmoils of South African life, it promises entrenched stability."
At his official induction as Chief Rabbi of South Africa on April 3, 2005, Rabbi Goldstein and those in attendance were addressed by South Africa's President
Thabo Mbeki
:
, and at the Herzlia high schools. The programme - which has hundreds of students enrolled in it - aims to empower and inspire the students with the knowledge and appreciation for text-based Torah learning.
He has been criticised for his opinions on the Middle East and certain issues pertaining to Orthodox Jewish religious beliefs and the responsibilities of the chief rabbi.
He is a regular contributor to print, radio and television on a variety of issues pertaining to "moral regeneration", crime, education, poverty alleviation and religious values in a modern society.
The website www.chiefrabbi.co.za, hosts regular podcasts, video blogs, published articles and it covers a wide range of his opinions.
Response to Trembling Before G-d
Trembling Before G-d is an 2001 American documentary film about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. The film was screened in parts of South Africa in 2005.
Goldstein described the film as "intellectually shallow," commenting that "its one-sided caricature of Orthodox Judaism does not stimulate meaningful intellectual debate."
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
since 2005. Born in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, he currently lives in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
. He is the first Chief Rabbi of South Africa who was born in South Africa and the youngest person ever to be appointed to that post, at age 32.
Education
The Chief Rabbi studied at the Yeshiva Gedolah of Johannesburg for more than fifteen years, where he received his rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Azriel Chaim Goldfein. He also has a BA LLB (Unisa), and a PhD. in Human Rights and Constitutional Law (Wits).While practising as a rabbi he completed his Ph.D. at the University of the Witwatersrand
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
Law School
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
. His Ph.D. thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
compared
Comparative law
Comparative law is the study of differences and similarities between the law of different countries. More specifically, it involves study of the different legal systems in existence in the world, including the common law, the civil law, socialist law, Islamic law, Hindu law, and Chinese law...
western
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
and Jewish law
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
and was published as a book entitled Defending the Human Spirit: Jewish Law's Vision for a Moral Society. Rabbi Goldstein's thesis is that Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
ic law was ahead of its time in terms of political rights, women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
, criminal law
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
and poverty alleviation. "I see Western laws as coming round full circle to positions always held by Talmudic law."
Service
Rabbi Goldstein had a number of rabbinic positions before being appointed Chief Rabbi in December 2003. He assumed the full role in January 2005.Chief Rabbi
Due to his young age, Rabbi Goldstein's election "startled" many people in South Africa.He was appointed by the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa on the recommendation of a selection committee made up of leaders of all the Jewish communal organisations. Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris supported his appointment and, until he fell ill, he helped train Rabbi Goldstein into his new position. Because of his illness, Rabbi Harris was not able to attend the inauguration of his successor but sent a message to be read out. In it, he said: "Rabbi Goldstein is known as a Master of Torah, a Doctor of Laws, and a fierce campaigner on behalf of the vulnerable. His appointment is most welcome. Moreover, amid the turmoils of South African life, it promises entrenched stability."
At his official induction as Chief Rabbi of South Africa on April 3, 2005, Rabbi Goldstein and those in attendance were addressed by South Africa's President
President of South Africa
The President of the Republic of South Africa is the head of state and head of government under South Africa's Constitution. From 1961 to 1994, the head of state was called the State President....
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
:
- We salute Rabbi Goldstein as a true South African patriot...Rabbi Goldstein champions the very values which government would like to instil in our society. Civil society, including religious leaders, has a crucial role to play in South Africa today. By their personal example, and through the wisdom of their teachings, religious leaders such as Chief Rabbi Goldstein, can imbue our country with values of honesty, compassion and self-discipline that are so vital in establishing a truly just and moral society.
- "Indeed, we are blessed to have a Chief Rabbi who is a formidable Torah scholar whose doctorate is in human rights and constitutional law, including that of our own Constitution."
Leadership
Engaging with government on issues affecting South Africa and the South African Jewish community. Rabbi Goldstein initiated the 'Enriching Tomorrow - sharing ideas for the future' public speaking forum in which debate and sharing of views occur on the highest level. At these events, the chief rabbi has held public meeting with President jacob Zuma, Graca Machel, Dr Mamphela Ramphele and Reverend Frank Chikane, to name but a few.Bill of Responsibilities
Rabbi Goldstein heads a project on behalf of the National Religious Leaders Forum and in partnership with the Department of Education to establish a Bill of Responsibilities for schools across South Africa with the aim of educating and motivating a new generation of South Africans in the values of responsibility, compassion and dignity, among others.CAP
He is also the co-founder and co-chairman of the Community Active Protection (CAP) organisation which is a community based anti-crime initiative currently protecting at least 150 000 people in the city of Johannesburg and which has brought down contact crime between 80% and 90% in the areas in which it operates.School Talmud learning
The Chief Rabbi has established a new Beit Midrash learning programme at the Linksfield and Victory Park King David SchoolsKing David Schools, Johannesburg
The King David Schools are a network of Jewish day schools in Johannesburg, South Africa, offering nursery through high school education. There are three campuses across Johannesburg: Linksfield, Victory Park, and Sandton; "each school has an atmosphere of its own serving the specific community"...
, and at the Herzlia high schools. The programme - which has hundreds of students enrolled in it - aims to empower and inspire the students with the knowledge and appreciation for text-based Torah learning.
Interfaith relationships
Sitting on the executive of the National Religious Leaders Forum, Rabbi Goldstein engages with leaders of all faith communities on a regular basis. The forum hopes to prevent "poverty alleviation" and bring about "moral regeneration" in South Africa.General Opinions
The chief rabbi is a vocal defender of Israel and has published many articles in the local and international press making, presenting arguments which support the Israeli side of the conflict.He has been criticised for his opinions on the Middle East and certain issues pertaining to Orthodox Jewish religious beliefs and the responsibilities of the chief rabbi.
He is a regular contributor to print, radio and television on a variety of issues pertaining to "moral regeneration", crime, education, poverty alleviation and religious values in a modern society.
The website www.chiefrabbi.co.za, hosts regular podcasts, video blogs, published articles and it covers a wide range of his opinions.
Response to Trembling Before G-dTrembling Before G-dTrembling Before G-d is an 2001 American documentary film about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. It was directed by Sandi Simcha DuBowski, an American who wanted to compare orthodox attitudes to homosexuality with his own upbringing as a gay...
Trembling Before G-d is an 2001 American documentary film about gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews trying to reconcile their sexuality with their faith. The film was screened in parts of South Africa in 2005.Goldstein described the film as "intellectually shallow," commenting that "its one-sided caricature of Orthodox Judaism does not stimulate meaningful intellectual debate."