Former France’s Chief Rabbi Rabbi Joseph Haim Sitruk died at age 72.

He had been hospitalized for several days following a stroke. Last Wednesday current Chief Rabbi of France 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 Marseille.

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 only the second Sephardi chief rabbi of France.

CRIF, the umbrella representative group of French Jewish organisations, said Sitruk ‘’ will leave a very deep mark in the history and life of French Judaism.’’

‘’He worked every day to teach and disseminate Judaism. Joseph Sitruk is and will remain an exemplary figure for the Jews of France who will retain the image of a brave man, true to his convictions and and of exceptional generosity.’’