Op-Ed: Why I Didn’t Apply to Be Chief Rabbi
Now that the deadline has passed, a typical question I’ve been asked these past weeks is, “did you submit your application?” This of course is in reference to the position for Chief Rabbi.
It has been flattering over the years to have my name touted as a future candidate, and more recently, when the position was formally opened, to have been mentioned as a contender in various media, including most recently, the Times religion columnist Ruth Gledhill giving me a ringing endorsement during a Radio 4 interview. I’m even aware of people taking bets on me. Alas they are to lose their money as I can confirm that I did not apply for the job.
I have two strikes against me which don’t sit well with the” establishment.” The first is the fact that I’m Chabad. When Miriam Shaviv published her all original list of potential candidates for the job, later copied by other newspapers, she told me that she had included “what with being Chabad his odds would be 770-1.” This was edited out by the paper, but it speaks volumes.
I’ve asked the following question of several people: Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has certain unparalleled skills and abilities which warranted him becoming Chief Rabbi. But what if he was black? Would the colour of his skin be overlooked for the uniqueness of his traits, or would he have been deemed not suitable for the job? The response was invariably the same. By virtue of my Chabad identity, a badge I wear with honour, I am black. Having served as chairman of the Rabbinical Council for three years, and vice-chair for three years prior, I am very aware of a definite bias against Chabad, both from within the Beth Din as well as the lay leadership. There is an absurd perception of there being dual loyalty, though I am not sure wherein the conflict lies.
I’ve served the Mill Hill community now for more than eighteen years. I am proud of what it has become. Along with an exceptional and dynamic lay leadership it has developed into one of fastest growing communities in the United Synagogue, with more than five hundred kids under the age of ten. Not long ago I asked the question at a United Synagogue meeting: “If I applied for the job at Mill Hill today would I get a look in?” Of course the answer was yes with the typical platitudes that came with it. But with all résumés now having to pass through central office, and with someone from head office sitting in with synagogue selection committees to “guide them,” I have my serious doubts. Does the US look for the best man for the job, or simply who best fits their mould?
A senior colleague who is non-Chabad made the observation a while back at a Rabbinical Council meeting, that for the more than twenty-five years that he’s been in the system there has never been such a lapse of time in which not a single Chabad Rabbi was appointed to a Rabbinical position. I’ve been told it’s because there has not been anyone of substance forthcoming. I know that not to be true. I maintain it’s because we’re ‘black.’
My other ‘problem’ which Miriam Shaviv did highlight is that I am too outspoken. When I first became chairman of the Rabbinical Council I sought to change the restrictive eulogy policy at funerals, such that lay people could deliver them as well. It met with incredible resistance, and even as it ultimately prevailed, I was summoned and admonished. When the court ruling went against JFS on its admissions policy, I weighed in with a statement that had the full backing of the overwhelming majority of the Rabbinical Council. Still, I was called in and read the riot act. And when I put my neck out to help a colleague in what became a high profile standoff with his community and head office, I became the whipping boy.
“Unity not uniformity” has been the mantra of the US leadership. But a bone of contention amongst several colleagues over the years is that this is but only in words, hardly in practise. I inevitably earned the title ‘maverick’ because I give myself permission to communicate what matters to me and put a voice to my soul despite rejection or disapproval. It is, I am often told, very North American. Not something we approve of in the UK. Which I suppose is why we’re sitting ducks for verbal abuse often hurled from both within and outside the community.
To be sure, I am not suggesting I would have ever gotten the job of Chief Rabbi or that I am even suitably qualified for the position. But I do maintain that the hierarchy has its own preconceived idea of what it believes is suitable criteria which may not reflect the reality of its membership. Hence my argument for an election even as I knew it to be untenable – anything but the current process which is riddled with problems if not bias and prejudices.
Finally, now that I’ve made my position clear I would like to offer my endorsement for Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, a view I am confident is shared by many other colleagues. He is authentic – what you see is what you get; he is experienced – having already served in that capacity in Ireland. He is of the right temperament – hence very popular with colleagues. And he’s not ‘black.’
As for me – without those shackles, I can be an even more outspoken Chabad Rabbi. Watch this space.
Genius Political Move
Now the organization is getting negative publicity, so they will beg him to run and win…
chabad is not a race
this is simply untrue. people are born black. and while it may be that people are born chabad to identify as a chabadnik as an adult has nothing to do with birth, it’s about subscribing to a particular belief system, and everything that goes along with it. this is especially true of a thinking person, one would imagine. if you identify as a lubavitcher you are choosing to do so out of your own free volition, you are embracing a set of beliefs and practices that are outside the framework of mainstream jewish practice, and that, at times, are in conflict with the latter. it’s perfectly reasonable that a mainstream jewish community would not want to be represented by someone who subscribes to practices and beliefs that are outside the purview of the mainstream. it is especially disingeuous to play the ‘black’ card, and belittles what it is to actually suffer from racism.
yossi
He once wrote, that his father told him at least twice not to run for that position. As a Rabbi he surly has kibud av.
To # 2
I challenge you to write even 1 thing Chabad belief differs from mainstream Judaism.
Excuse me but what u wrote is utter nonsense.
In fact the Rebbe always reiterated that he is a Shulchan Aruch Jew = mainstream Judaism.
I believe that Rabbi Shochet should go for it, and not be perturbed, especially in case someone unsuitable will ch”v take the position.
I know Rabbi Shochet well from close & if he runs the UK like he runs Mill Hill, so be it
To #2
Black in this context is not necessarily referring to a colour of skin, but rather it’s a colloquial lingo highlighting the ‘black’ hat & jacket persona
To #2
Black in this context is not necessarily referring to a colour of skin, but rather it’s a colloquial lingo highlighting the ‘black’ hat & jacket persona
So what is new? Eyn Chodosh.
Having myself been turned down, over the years, for three major positions for the same reason, AND these happened in the “good times” (before the craziness), may I suggest Rabbi S. that something is incongruous here. What is the basis for this irrational, if not emotive, public statement.
Amolikeh chassidim (in the very early days) would recount at a farbrengen, what personal sacrifice they had made to be a follower. It was borne as a badge of honor (honour to Brits).
If this is indeed a public proclamation of the sacrifice you have made for chassidus, then it is equally as inappropriate for an op-ed of this tone.
There were times, incidents, when parents of youth whom I brought to Yiddisheit, or to chassidus, were furious and threatening. Nu, so? If they would have ambushed me in a dark alley and shaven my beard, even with a goll-messer ch“v, it would have become a badge of honor, not of shame, not of indigmation, nor of rage.
Lubavitcher chassidim, please grow up. No matter how brilliantly you explain ”atzmuss in a guf” (and no doubt Rabbi S. is a candidate for such brilliance) to the rest of the world of shomrei Torah uMitzvois, it is at the border of bizarre. Equally as important, perhaps more so, a chasid who presents himself in sheep’s clothing, becomes the subject of increased caution, resulting from suspicion. (What is he thinking deep inside?)
I wish you much success, and yes, even fame, but also wish to leave you with a thought. It is difficult to the extreme, if not nigh impossible, for a Lubavitcher to be an effective community person. The constant caution and compromise is not rewarded with any recogniton of that effort, if indeed that effort is even noticed. Neither by the community, nor in Lubavitcher circles. (And yes, this is from my experience, because for one other position, my application – which was also invited – was accepted.)
[There were a number of occasions when the Rebbe was a party to the inyanim above, and not through my solicitation. VeEyn caan hamokoim.]
He Never Tried
Shochet has been mentioned as a serious contender for a very long time. For years people were saying he would be the next chief rabbi. Even in the secular world the media said he was only one of two real contenders in the UK. He never said yes or no. He never ‘tried for it’ because you don’t ‘try’ for the job. You also don’t get approached from the job. You have to apply. To me it seems silly for such a position. Imagine Rabbon Gamliel having to apply to become Chief Rabbi of Israel. Only now when it comes down to the wire Shochet comes out and says he did not apply and explains why. Makes sense. I think he would be a better advocate for yiddishkiet in the freedom of his position.
Sacha Baron Cohen
Is it coz I is black is my line.
to #3
yes, he wrote that in a article published on his fan page facebook.com/rabbiyys
mawrk
to #1 no they won’t. Articles on chabad sites not equal to real publivity. also they don’t want him b/c of his outspoken personality nothign to do with chabad.
they are right
United Synagogue is a modern orthodox, Zionist organization. why should they take a chabad rabbi?
yitzchok c in Jerusalem
#2 I think the point he was trying to make here is that discrimination exists not the reason for the discrimination. And that was the only reason for the comparison.
to #2
u are embracing a set of beliefs and practices that are outside the framework of mainstream jewish practice, ??????????????????
last i checked reb yitzchok doesnt wear a flag, doesnt say yechi and doesnt beat up on others.
Black-Jewish-Lubavitcher
I am a Black-Jewish Lubavitcher.
Rabbi Schochet wrote, “By virtue of my Chabad [Lubavitch] identity, a badge I wear with honour, I am black.”
Rabbi, I welcome you to my race even though you do look a bit pale. However, I find most members of Chabad-Lubavitch are actually white, not black. (They merely dress in black).
The black people have suffered repression, discrimination and second-class treatment by the white man. Apparently too you “feel” like the black man in this regard as you are suppressed from a career advancement.
I share in solidarity with your trauma. Hopefully it allows for your growth and sensitivity to the fate of the real black people. We should judge the individual, rather than finding guilt by association or affiliation.
You are announcing your martyrdom, as you are sacrificing Chief Rabbi-hood in the name of Lubavitch, and that we recognize and salute.
May your suffering not be in vain! We shall overcome!
I take note that you hide any mention of “Lubavitch” or “Chabad” in all the blurbs about yourself. As such I suggest you read “Roots” which speaks of the pride in our mutual Black Heritage.
mark
how many chabad houses employ M.O. rabbis? As someone said why should M.O. employ chabad?
If he is proud - why hide that he-s chab
Yitzchak Schochet claims he wears the Chabad [Lubavitch] badge with honor, yet he hides it very well in his public bio – blurbs:
http://www.shul.co.uk/readA…
http://www.huffingtonpost.c…
Maybe this is an excellent wake-up-call that he should indeed overcome his self-imposed shame and identify himself as Chabad!! Indeed, wear it as a badge of honour with pride!!
He also claims that he is “black”, a term I find offensively racist, unless of course he means that he is a “black hatter”, which is ironic since at all his photo-ops I never spotted him wearing a hat, black or otherwise.
Hail to the Chief
In life, some of us are Chiefs and some of us are Indians.
Both the “establishment” and Schochet’s own Father, Schochet Senior, decided that being Chief is not for Schochet Junior.
Albeit, they might have had different analytic reasons (which is in itself uncertain), but they both arrived at the same conclusion.
It behooves me to point out that Schochet Junior “blames” his association with Lubavitch-Chabad as the reason for not becoming a Chief. This is ironic, as Rabbi Sacks spoke at the Kinus how the Rebbe created Leaders.
At no point does Junior even “suspect” that maybe he is simply unqualified. For example, while his Father has authored many books, how many books has Junior authored? (I use this example as contrast to Shmulie Boteach, another potential candidate, who actually wrote numerous books).
Pulling the “racist” card and crying discrimination is immature. In hindsight, the article is an affirmation that Junior is an Indian and not a Chief.
The Boteach Contender
Boteach? His books? You kidding me? No chance. He is not a contender by any stretch.
Books don’t make the man. But Shochet lectures a heck of a lot and is pretty fantastic. I heard him at JLI and I heard him in Australia. You don’t need to be an author (Sacks wrote most if not all all of his books after he became Chief Rabbi).
So I still say it is a shame. He was in with the best chance of all the local talent.
No. 17 RIGHT ON
where does he hide that he is chabad if he just published openly in the UK papers that he is Chabad? 17 you’re posting everywhere. A little obsessed me thinks. Maybe a little jealous? Get over yourself. Move on.
President Schochat?
If Yitzy Schochat is black, does that qualify him as the next President of the USA?
to #2: MAINSTREAM JUDAISM
Wake up, smell the coffee.
Lubavitch IS mainstream Judaism.
Who else has the Avrohom Avinu style ahavas yisroel the Rebbe’s shluchim have to reach out literally to all Jews in the world?
The ones who do not join or support the Shluchim are absolutely not mainstream Judaism; just living with indifference towards the dire need of Yiddishkeit for fellow Jews.
Take for example in Russia: Rabbi Lazar has B”H become the MAINSTREAM JUDAISM: He has built the most sucessful & huge community center with 150,000 members. On a regular Sunday u can have 1000 Russian Jews in the 7 story building. He has succeeded to make 8 restaurants in Moscow 100% Glatt kosher , even with Lubavitcher Shchita.
One floor of the building is a Jewish theater, another a giant gymnastics center. I was there myself firsthand after 20 years & could not believe my eyes. Shkoyach Rabbi Lazar! And remember, he is a shliach like all Shluchim.
THIS IS MAINSTREAM JUDAISM!
We need such leadership and caring in every country, especially the UK
Rabbi Shochet I really believe u should go for it
Ur friend from Colel
Fear of Failure
You did not apply for the position because you fear failure – that is very common. Some of us become paralyzed with the thought of losing, which predetermines and delegates us to the status of being a loser.
There is parallel with those who demand statehood but when offered, reject the opportunity. Shmulie Boteach spoke about this.
Addressing the Headdress
As a man of many hats (including a Chief Rabbi Hat and T-shirt) it is time for Schochet to start wearing the Lubavitcher Hat!
Can-t afford a Borsalino hat?
I see in the article’s picture Schochet is wearing a brown Stetson cowboy hat. I guess he can’t afford a black Borsalino Hat. Maybe as Chief Rabbi he would have earned a better salary. But seriously, he created the whole “tumil” of becoming the next chief rabbi and now it’s like a pie in his face.