Joseph Sitruk, former chief rabbi of France, dies at 71
Joseph Sitruk, who served as chief rabbi of France for more than two decades, has died.
Sitruk died Sept. 25 after being hospitalized for several days following a stroke, The Times of Israel reported. He was 71.
French President Francois Hollande called the Orthodox religious leader a “defender of secularism” in a statement announcing his death, according to The Associated Press. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve praised him as “a tireless fighter against racism and anti-Semitism.”
Sitruk, a Tunisia native, served as head of France’s Jewish community, the largest in Europe, from 1987 to 2008.
His efforts as chief rabbi included promoting synagogue attendance and Jewish identity, according to AP. He also served 12 years as head of the Conference for European Rabbis.
Sitruk was buried in Jerusalem on Sept. 26.
—JTA News and Features
Janet Z. Torchinsky
On Sept. 26, Janet Z. Torchinsky of Silver Spring, beloved wife of nearly 66 years of Irving L. Torchinsky; loving daughter of the late Murray and Anna Jaffe Sincoff; devoted mother of Marilyn (Howard) Politzer, Linda (Chester) Katz, Susan (Elliott) Prissman, Sally Schtevie, Joyce E., David (Laura), Annette and Jay Torchinsky; cherished grandmother of Shirley Politzer, Lisa (Slava) Slavin, Gary Politzer, Joanna (Joshua) Rubin, Martin (Arielle) Katz, Bonnie Prissman, Annie Schtevie, Joseph Dekelbaum, Shira and Rina Torchinsky and Alexander Flum; loving great-grandmother of Jacob and Sarah Slavin and Benjamin Rubin; dear sister of Ellen Rudin, Richard (Barbara) and Dr. Michael (Kathy) Sincoff. Contributions may be made to The Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, 1500 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 or to the charity of choice.
Arrangements by Torchinsky Hebrew Funeral Home.
