Ephraim Mirvis

Ephraim Mirvis – Life, Role & Reflections

Learn about Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis — South African-born British Chief Rabbi, his journey from South Africa to London, his leadership in community and interfaith dialogue, and memorable quotes reflecting his values.

Introduction

Rabbi Sir Ephraim Yitzchak Mirvis (born 7 September 1956) is the 11th Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. He is a prominent Orthodox Jewish leader in the UK, a voice for Jewish education, interfaith cooperation, communal responsibility, and moral engagement in public life.

Although born in South Africa, Mirvis has served in Ireland, London, and ultimately for the wider Commonwealth Jewish community. His approach combines traditional Jewish learning with outreach, inclusion, and contemporary relevance.

Early Life & Education

Mirvis was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, into a rabbinical family: his father, Lionel Mirvis, served as a rabbi in various congregations in Cape Town and elsewhere.

He attended Herzlia High School in Cape Town (1968–1973). Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh (1973–1976) and then at Yeshivat Har Etzion (1976–1978).

He received his rabbinic ordination (semicha) at Machon Ariel in Jerusalem (1978–1980). BA in Education and Classical Hebrew from the University of South Africa, and a teaching qualification from Yaakov Herzog Teachers College in Israel.

Mirvis also became certified as a shochet (ritual slaughterer) and mohel (performs ritual circumcisions) under Jewish law.

Rabbinic Career & Communal Leadership

Early Posts & Ireland

• In 1982, Mirvis became the rabbi at Adelaide Road Synagogue in Dublin.

• In 1985, at just about age 28–29, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ireland, serving until 1992.

• During his time in Ireland, he also chaired the Board of Governors of Stratford Jewish Schools.

• He served as President of the Irish Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) from 1985 to 1992, thus engaging in interfaith relations during his time there.

London & Community Innovation

• In 1992, Mirvis relocated to London to serve as Rabbi of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue, succeeding Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in that post.

• In May 1996, he became Rabbi of Finchley United Synagogue (Kinloss).

• At Kinloss, he founded and led educational and community initiatives: the Kinloss Learning Centre (adult education), the community Kollel, and the Morasha Jewish Primary School.

• He was also chairman of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue (1999–2002).

Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth

• On 17 December 2012, Mirvis was selected to succeed Lord Jonathan Sacks as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.

• He was officially installed on 1 September 2013 in a noteworthy ceremony, the first such service attended by a member of the British royal family (then Prince Charles).

• Under his leadership, he has initiated programs like Centre for Community Excellence (CCE), which supports creative programming in Jewish communities, and Shabbat UK, modeled after the South African Shabbat Project, encouraging engagement across denominational lines.

• He has also been active in interfaith dialogue with Christian and Muslim leaders. For instance, in 2016 he launched the “In Good Faith” initiative with the Archbishop of Canterbury to foster cooperation and understanding.

Public & Controversial Interventions

• In 2017, when Sephardi Rabbi Joseph Dweck made controversial remarks about homosexuality, Mirvis intervened in the dispute to manage communal tensions.

• In 2019, he made a rare direct public statement about politics: he criticized Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and urged voters to consider how antisemitism at the political level affected national values.

Views & Priorities

• Mirvis sees the role of Chief Rabbi as not only a religious leader but as a teacher: “Rabbi means teacher, and I see the role of chief rabbi as chief teacher.”

• He has emphasized that no Jew, regardless of background or observance, should be made to feel excluded from experiencing the peace of Shabbat.

• On Israel: “When someone denies the right of Israel to exist, it hurts us, just as an attack on a close member of our family would hurt us.”

• He has condemned prejudice, especially when legally enshrined: “All societies wrestle with the scourge of prejudice, but validating that prejudice in statute makes a virtue of oppression.”

• Regarding antisemitism and social justice, he holds that hate and exclusion must be resisted vigorously, and that Jewish values demand empathy and integrity in public life.

Legacy & Influence

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis’s tenure is marked by a blend of tradition and outreach. Some key elements of his legacy:

• Inclusive Orthodox Jewish leadership — striving to reach those less observant or from diverse backgrounds.

• Educational innovation — strengthening adult Jewish education and community vitality.

• Interfaith bridge-building — engaging Christian and Muslim leaders in dialogue and joint projects.

• Moral voice in public life — willing to speak on issues of discrimination, national values, and communal respect.

• His focus on nurturing community creativity (via Centre for Community Excellence) is seen as a model for integrating communal support and innovation.

In 2023, he was knighted — becoming Sir Ephraim Mirvis — for services to the Jewish community, interfaith relations, and education.