Cyril Harris

Who was Cyril Harris?

Cyril Kitchener Harris was Chief Rabbi of South Africa from 1987 to 2004.

Harris was born in Glasgow, Scotland. During his tenure as Chief Rabbi, he was noted for his support of full democracy during South Africa's apartheid years. 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."

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.

He died in Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, aged 68, and was buried in Israel.