Over the past two years, plant-based food consumption has grown by 49% across the EU, reaching a total sales volume of €3.6 billion.
Nathan Marcus Adler, former Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth
2025-05-15
Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler (January 13, 1803 – January 21, 1890) was the Orthodox Chief Rabbi of the British Empire from 1845 until his death. In English-speaking countries, Adler was probably the most prominent rabbi of the 19th century.
Rabbi Nathan was born in what is now Hanover, Germany. He was apparently known to Nathan Adler, a kabbalist (according to the latter's biography in the Jewish Encyclopedia). His distant relative Jacob Adler, who knew him in the winter of 1883–1884, described him as "the highest religious authority not only of London Jewish people, but of all Orthodox Jewry in England and the Empire." He was described as being famous for his Orthodoxy in Frankfurt.
While in Hanover the rabbi met Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, provincial regent, who thought the regent had recommended him for the post of Chief Rabbi of England.
He joined four other candidates for the position of Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, including 13 other candidates, mostly from Germany: Samson Raphael Hirsch, Benjamin Hirsch Auerbach, and Hirsch Hirschfeld. 135 communes voted, each with only one vote. On December 1, 1844, Adler received 121 votes, Hirschfeld 12, and Hirsch 2.
The first university-educated British Chief Rabbi, he pioneered the establishment of a formal pastoral tour within the UK and was the founder of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty and the Better Protection of Children. His reign saw the emancipation of Jews in Britain, the election (1847) and seat (1858) of Lionel de Rothschild as the first Jewish Member of Parliament, the elevation of Nathan Mayer Rothschild to the first Jewish Member of the House of Lords (1885), and the appointment of Sir David Salomons as the first Jewish Mayor of London (1855).
In 1870 AdlerUnited SynagogueIt was established by an Act of Parliament and until 2006 it remained the largest Jewish community in the UK, using the religious authority of the Chief Rabbinate.
Adler also engaged in scholarly activities such as writing, editing, and translation. For example, in 1907, he published a critical text, a translation, and commentary on Benjamin Tudela's important medieval work, The Itinerary of Benjamin. His other publications include the Targum Onkelos on the Law of Netinah Lager.
Adler is buried in Willesden (British Synagogue) Cemetery, England.