Tribute Event Honors Late French Chief Rabbi Sitruk Ten Years After Passing
A major tribute event is scheduled for Sunday at the Dôme de Paris to honor the legacy of Rabbi Yossef Haïm Sitruk, ten years after his death. The event, featuring his family, students, and prominent figures from Jewish and Israeli music, aims to commemorate his message of unity and transmission. It will include testimonials, previously unseen footage, and communal singing, taking place shortly before Rosh Hashanah.
Rabbi Yaakov Sitruk, the late rabbi's son, explained in an interview with i24NEWS that the large-scale tribute was organized because his father was a "unifier" who made Judaism accessible to a broad audience. He recalled his father's weekly classes and large community gatherings, particularly for Yom Ha'atzmaut, which brought together diverse segments of the Jewish community.
Yaakov Sitruk described his father as a "normal" person with a warm, human background from a traditional Tunisian family, whose life path was profoundly influenced by his wife and led him to a religious calling. His teachings, though rigorous and authentic, were presented in a way that resonated with both religious scholars and those with less religious knowledge.
The event also addresses contemporary concerns within the French Jewish community, particularly amid rising tensions and anxieties about the future. Rabbi Yaakov Sitruk noted that his father's emphasis on combating division and gossip is particularly relevant today, lamenting the current climate of criticism over constructive ideas. He suggested his father would have offered unique perspectives to bridge divides.
Regarding emigration to Israel, Yaakov Sitruk stated that his father consistently advised French Jews to prepare for potential aliyah, without urging hasty departures. He acknowledged his father's role in presenting Israel as a realistic option while also expressing gratitude for France, where many Jews had grown up. The tribute seeks to revive the teachings of a man dedicated to uniting French Jewry.
