Former chief rabbi of France dies aged 71

France’s former chief rabbi, Rabbi Joseph Haim Sitruk, died Sunday at the age of 71.

He had been hospitalized for several days following a stroke. Last Wednesday current chief rabbi Haim Korsia called for prayers throughout the country for his recovery.

Sitruk was born in Tunis on October 16, 1944. He was ordained in 1970 and served as the rabbi of Strasbourg. In 1975 he became the chief rabbi of Marseilles.

In 1987 was appointed as France’s chief rabbi, a position he held for 21 years until 2008, winning reelection twice for the seven-year position. He was succeeded by Gilles Bernheim.

Sitruk was also the president of the Conference of European Rabbis, the umbrella organization for rabbis from the continent.

In 2001, while serving as chief rabbi, Sitruk suffered a stroke, but he made a full recovery and was able to resume his duties.

In 2007 he was appointed commander of the Legion of Honor.

Sitruk is survived by his wife and nine children.