Barry Marcus
Rabbi Barry Marcus is a Rabbi of the Central Synagogue, Great Portland Street located in the West End of London, notable for his rabbinical and pastoral duties in the UK, Israel and South Africa. In 2015 he was awarded MBE in the New Year Honours for services to Holocaust Education. Background. Marcus was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 1996 he served as Rabbi to Waverley Hebrew Congregation, one of the largest Jewish communities in Johannesburg. Before becoming the Rabbi of the Central Synagogue he served as a rabbi in Israel. Controversy. In 2015 Rabbi Marcus spoke out  in defence of John Galliano, fashion designer who was found guilty of racism and antisemitic abuse in 2011. Holocaust education. Since November 2008 Rabbi Marcus has been organising educational trips to Auschwitz together with the Holocaust Education Trust. Awards and notable appointments. In 2014, Rabbi Marcus was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for Holocaust education and for fostering dialogue and building bridges with Poland. He is a member of advisory board of Lithuanian Jewish Heritage Project.