The Queen Knew Not to Shake Hands with the Chabad Shaliach

London - Rabbi Aryeh Sofrin was anxious just like the scores of other people scheduled to meet the Queen of England, but for a different reason: what would he do if she reached out for a handshake?

The Chabad shaliach to Ilford, Essex, located northeast of London, was about to be dubbed Member of the British Empire for 18 years of work as head of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that serves Jews, Christians and Muslims and even has an imam on the staff.

He had been briefed on proper protocol, but did not know what to do about the handshake that ends every audience with the Queen. And on this particular day, she had chosen not to wear her gloves

But she must have been briefed about him, concludes Rabbi Sofrin, because at the end of their short meeting the 83-year-old Queen Elizabeth II remembered to avoid the customary handshake.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Queen
• Elizabeth
• England
• Chabad
• shaliach
• Rabbi
• Aryeh
• Sofrin
• handshake
• Ilford
• Essex
• northeast
• London
• British
• Empire

[nauort23]

Uhhhhh.... would someone explain why she was not supposed to shake his hand? It's not like he doesn't have one.

[Jacob2Israel]

@nauort23 @shahriar5252 Orthodox Jews don't touch members of the opposite sex, and the Queen is respectful of other peoples beliefs, she is allowed to be respectful. It is very good diplomacy on her part, I'm sorry that you can't comprehend that.

[WabbitHunter68]

@MrBennys Hang on a mo and let me check, Four legs... no, a fleece.... no, goes baaaa .... no again. Sorry, but yet again you are wrong.

[lSaif]

Its her choice if she wants to shake his hand.

I personally wouldn't and I dont blame her.

Get over it.

[asumazilla]

I think the queen probably meets a lot of Jewish people, and gives out awards a lot. Maybe it shows she isn't an idiot like many of worlds politicians pretend to be.

[BannedMann]

@MuLtIJoKer786 lol "fuck off i won't shake your hand"

[Murdo2112]

How did she know he'd have a problem with shaking hands?....simple; she's a professional.

She's been in the business of doing diplomatic and PR work for 60 years. She's intelligent and has better manners than to put someone in an awkward situation like that. I'm not a fanatical supporter of the royal family, but the Queen, for one, certainly knows how to do her job.. I'm not sure why people sound so suprised?

[Rickyrab]

@DesertSmeagle That's an ultra-Orthodox/ Hasidic/ Hareidi attitude. The liberal branches of Judaism don't mind touching people of the other sex respectfully. Heck, there are female rabbis in the more liberal branches...

[Rickyrab]

Had it been a Reform rabbi, the handshake would've occurred. We're not as obsessive over contact with the opposite sex.

[stickstr8up1]

I think it's fantastic that the Queen was sensitive enough to know she should shake his hand, but I feel these fanatical Orthodox Jews are wackos thinking that in 2012 it's still appropriate to treat 51% of the population like second class citizens.