These two booklets were published by the Chief Rabbi’s Office in London prior to and for the installation at St. John’s Wood Synagogue on 11th April, 1967.
The order of service is exactly that – a religious service, providing for the passing of the baton by the outgoing Chief Rabbi, Dr. Israel Brodie, to the incoming Chief Rabbi, Dr. Immanuel Jakobovits.
The booklet entitled “Prelude to Service” is really a manifesto. This is what the new Chief Rabbi believes needs to be done in the community, and what he intends to do. He is determined to seek a reconciliation between various factions of British Jewry after some recent conflict.
He has addressed some organizational changes, including augmenting the Beth Din (the religious court) with a Council of Rabbis and Ministers to assist the Chief Rabbi.
This would consist of 10 to 20 members, serving in rotation for two to four years. He also intends to set up a Chief Rabbi’s “Cabinet”, consisting of six rabbis to take charge of Jewish education, liaison with students, ceremonial functions, inter-faith contacts, inter-Jewish co-operation, and Israel affairs.
Rabbi Jakobovits has addressed different sections of Anglo-Jewry by writing in the organs of the Jewish press. He has come to an agreement with Rabbi Eliezer Kirzner, the Rav-Rashi Elect of the Federation of Synagogues.
Jewish Miscellanies 