Posted on 12/19/2002 8:15:30 PM PST by a_Turk
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Turkey's Jewish community on Thursday installed Isak Haleva as chief rabbi, a 550-year-old post created when the Ottomans conquered Istanbul.
The 62-year-old Haleva has been acting chief rabbi and leader of the 25,000-member Jewish community since his election to the post in October.
In an elaborate ceremony in Istanbul's main synagogue, Haleva was presented with a white, fringed prayer shawl by Israel's chief rabbi, Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron. A Turkish rabbi then drapped a chain holding two golden tablets enscribed with the Ten Commandments around his neck. The chain and the tablets are a symbol of the chief rabbi's office.
The post of Turkey's chief rabbi was first established by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II after the conquest of Istanbul in 1453.
"I would like to emphasize that I am very proud of being a modest link in the chain of Turkey's chief rabbis," Haleva said in speech after receiving the symbol of office. He spoke first in Hebrew and later in Turkish.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the head of Turkey's ruling party, sent a letter congratulating Haleva. "Those of the Jewish faith have contributed... to and will continue to contribute to the improvement of our country and culture," wrote Erdogan, whose party is rooted in Turkey's Islamic movement.
Haleva replaces chief rabbi David Asseo — who led the community for 41 years until his death in July, at the age of 88.
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