18 Facts About Chanoch Ehrentreu

Chanoch Ehrentreu was a German-born British Orthodox rabbi.

Chanoch Ehrentreu served for many years as the head of the London Beth Din in Great Britain, serving the United Synagogue Community and those independent Orthodox Congregations that accept the authority of the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.

Dayan Ehrentreu was born in Frankfurt am Main on 27 December 1932, to Rabbi Yisroel and Rebbitzen Bertha Ehrentreu.

Chanoch Ehrentreu was named after his paternal grandfather the Gaon HaRav Chanoch Ehrentreu, rabbi of Munich.

Young Chanoch Ehrentreu went to school in Letchworth, and then, after the war, to Hasmonean High School, before going on to study at Gateshead Yeshiva.

Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu was appointed to the post of Rosh Beth Din in London by Lord Jakobovits in 1984.

Chanoch Ehrentreu was known as the Rosh Beth Din as the title of Av Beth Din is formally held by the Chief Rabbi.

Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu retired from the Beth Din in January 2008 but continued his responsibilities as a consultant to the Beth Din, and became Av Beth Din of European Beth Din 2008.

Chanoch Ehrentreu was a leading authority in all areas of Jewish law, with particular expertise in the fields of Medical Ethics, Conversions and Kashrut.

In 2001, Chanoch Ehrentreu appointed Yonason Abraham on the London Beth Din.

In March 2003, Chanoch Ehrentreu successfully negotiated the construction of the North-West London eruv.

Chanoch Ehrentreu has presented to the House of Lords Select Committees on medical ethical issues, such as stem cell research and euthanasia.

Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu was the rabbinical European religious authority of Tiferes Bais Yisroel, an organisation founded to reinforce halachic standards for conversion.

In March 2003, after many years, Chanoch Ehrentreu successfully negotiated the construction of an eruv in London.

Chanoch Ehrentreu was involved in controversy in the summer of 2003 when he banned Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs from taking part in a synagogue service on the Sabbath before his granddaughter's wedding.

Chanoch Ehrentreu was married to Ruchie Sternbuch, sister of Gaavad Moshe Sternbuch and Eliyahu Sternbuch.

Chanoch Ehrentreu's sisters include the mother of R' Asher Arieli and Judy Soloveitchik.

Chanoch Ehrentreu died in London on 24 November 2022, at the age of 89.