Rabbi Isaac Herzog. Profile portrait.

STRUCK, HERMANN.

Jerusalem, 1942

Etching. Signed and numbered by artist lower left. Hebrew inscription on plate upper right. Herzog’s signature (Hebrew) upper right: “Yitzchok Aizik HaLevi Herzog.”

Born in Lomza, Poland, Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1888-1959) was the first Chief Rabbi of Ireland, his term lasting from 1921-36. He immigrated to Palestine in 1936 to succeed Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, a position he occupied until his death. Rabbi Herzog’s descendants have continued to be active in Israel’s political life. Currently his grandson Isaac Herzog (son of the late President Chaim Herzog) is the chairman of the Knesset Opposition and joint-founder of the new center-left political alliance, HaMachaneh HaTzioni.