Cyril Harris

This article is about Rabbi C.K. Harris. For acoustics professor C.M. Harris, see Cyril M. Harris.

Cyril Kitchener Harris, (born Glasgow, Scotland, September 19, 1936 - died Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, September 13, 2005), was Chief Rabbi of South Africa from 1987 to 2004.

During his tenure, he was noted for his support of full democracy during South Africa's apartheid years.^[1][2][3] He spoke at the induction ceremony of President Nelson Mandela in 1994, and also gave a blessing at Mandela's wedding to Graça Machel in 1998. Mandela frequently referred to Harris as "my rabbi."^[2]

He trained at the Jews College, and served suburban congregations in Kenton and Edgware and finally St Johns Wood from 1979. From 1966 to 1971, Harris also served as Senior Jewish Chaplain to the British Armed Forces.^[2]

Following his death, he was buried in Israel.

Chronology of chief rabbis

Preceded by Bernard M. Casper

Chief Rabbi of South Africa Cyril Harris 1987–2004

Succeeded by Warren Goldstein

References

1. ^ Freedland, Michael (2005-09-16). "Rabbi Cyril Harris". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1571214,00.html. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} staff (2005-09-19). "Rabbi Cyril Harris". London: The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1786834,00.html. 
3. ^ staff (2005-09-15). "Cyril K. Harris, 68, Chief Rabbi in South Africa". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7D71131F936A2575AC0A9639C8B63. 

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Name	Harris, Cyril
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Date of birth	1936-09-19
Place of birth
Date of death	2005-09-13
Place of death