Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger has been invited to serve as Britain's chief rabbi, Israel Hayom has learned. Should he oblige, Metzger would replace Lord Jonathan Sacks who currently serves as the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. Sacks recently announced he would retire in 2013. One of the most respected members of Britain's Jewish community, a close friend of the royal family, recently approached Metzger to offer him the coveted position, considered one of the top rabbinical posts in the world. Metzger is set to complete his current term as Israel's chief Ashkenazi rabbi next year and has announced that he is not interested in serving another ten-year term, despite efforts by various politicians to prolong his tenure. Get the Israel Hayom newsletter sent to your mailbox! Considered especially popular among Jews around the world, Metzger is often invited to visit Jewish communities in all parts of the globe. As such, the offer to cross the pond is "a possibility" according to the rabbi's close associates. Lord Sacks will have held the position for 22 years when he retires in 2013. Sacks is considered one of the world's most prominent and well-connected rabbis, as he maintains a close relationship with the British royal family. In 2005, Sacks was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2009 the House of Lords Appointments Commission named him Life Peer, affording him a seat in the House of Lords and the official title of Baron Sacks of Aldgate in the City of London. As such, Sacks was one of the select few to be invited to the recent wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton - the duke and duchess of Cambridge. Increasing reports in recent weeks have pointed to deals hatched by the chairman of the religious Shas party, Eli Yishai, aiming to secure an agreed upon appointment for the post of chief rabbi of Jerusalem a post left unmanned since 2002 due to political strife. According to ultra-Orthodox media reports, Metzger is one of the few candidates agreed upon by all involved: Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (who had expressed a desire see a modern orthodox rabbi hold the position), the leader the Lithuanian-ultra-Orthodox community Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Rabbi Metzger's office confirmed that the rabbi had been approached, but noted that they are currently "not dealing with issues of the day after" the end of his term as Israel's chief Ashkenazi rabbi.
