Gilles Bernheim

Who is Gilles Bernheim?

Gilles Uriel Bernheim is a French philosopher and rabbi who was formerly the Chief Rabbi of France. Born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, in 1952, he was elected by the general assembly of the Central Consistory chief rabbi of France on June 22, 2008, for a seven-year mandate starting from January 1, 2009. Until then, he had been rabbi of synagogue de la Victoire, the main synagogue in Paris, since May 1, 1997. The Chief Rabbi of France was long renowned as an eminent scholar, whose intellect shone beyond the Jewish community to enlighten politicians. However, he resigned as chief rabbi in April 2013 before his term had ended, amid revelations of plagiarism and deception about his academic credentials.

He succeeded chief rabbi Joseph Sitruk. He was very critical of the lifting of the excommunication of bishop Richard Williamson.

The French Government appointed him Knight [Chevalier] in the Légion d'honneur, on April 10, 2009.