Congratulations to Rabbi David Peter, a graduate of the Straus-Amiel Program, upon his appointment as the Chief Rabbi of Prague.
The change in the position of chief rabbi of Prague should not trigger any major change in its Jewish community, Peter, 38, told the Czech News Agency.
“I will be learning continually, but continuity is vital,” Peter said. “The rabbi’s role in the Jewish community that is entrusted to him lies in its existence even at the time when his mission ends,” he added.
Peter took up the post in early August, after his predecessor, Chief Rabbi Karol Sidon, 71, resigned. Sidon had held the post since 1992; after announcing his resignation in June, it was obvious that Peter would be his successor. “There was the agreement that the Jewish community will help me with my studies, and I will help it as a rabbi,” Peter said.
The Jewish community in Prague is not very numerous, and its age composition is complicated, primarily due to the Jews’ dramatic fates in the 20th century, Peter said. When it was formed again after 1989, it was joined by many converts, he added. “However, later the interest fell, and now there are only a handful of converts,” Peter said. Holocaust survivors account for a large portion of the oldest members of the community.
We wish OTS’s newest emissary much success and fulfillment as he sets out on this important and exciting endeavor.
