Dweck row reaches Bnai Brak

CHIEF RABBI Ephraim Mirvis has been urged to speak out in defence of Rabbi Joseph Dweck, the senior rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community who has been under fire after a controversial lecture on gay love last month.

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, head of an independent Orthodox institute in Jerusalem, called on Rabbi Mirvis and the London Beth Din to “unequivocally condemn” the attacks on Rabbi Dweck and “stand staunchly” behind him.

In a blog on the Times of Israel, Rabbi Lopes Cardozo said the dispute was “an indication of where British or perhaps all European Orthodoxy is heading”.

His response follows denunciation of Rabbi Dweck from the Beth Din of the strictly Orthodox town of Bnai Brak this week. It said it was impossible for him to serve as a spiritual leader and described him as a “danger”.

So far there has been no indication of any agreement on a process to resolve the controversy.

The JC understands one plan was for Rabbi Dweck to explain his views to a panel of dayanim who would make recommendations if they felt it necessary.