Bernard M. Casper

Bernard Moses Casper was born and reared in London; educated in London and Cambridge; and served as Rabbi and educator in Manchester and London. He was a commissioned Chaplain in the British Army through most of the Second World War, and served with distinction as Senior Chaplain of the Jewish Infantry Brigade Group, earning a Mention in Despatches. In 1956, he was appointed the first Dean for Student Affairs at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and was called to Johannesburg in 1963 as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of Johannesburg. In 1964 he became Chief Rabbi of the Federation of Synagogues of South Africa.

Chronology of chief rabbis

Preceded by Louis Isaac Rabinowitz

Chief Rabbi of South Africa Bernard M. Casper 1963–1987

Succeeded by Cyril Harris