Roman to bring rabbis to the Bridge?

Is Roman Abramovich about to switch from spending his millions on importing expensive footballers Chelsea, to recruiting a team of world-class rabbis? The claim is made by the Jewish Chronicle which reports that the Russian billionaire is on the verge of making a huge investment - possibly in excess of £100m - in the United Synagogue, the body responsible for Judaism in Britain.

A source close to the Russian oligarch told the newspaper: "Mr Abramovich has become passionate about his Judaism in the past year or two. His vision is to transform the United Synagogue into a world-class religious organisation which will be able to take on the best in Europe, notably the Catholic Church."

Although Abramovich is said to have expressed confidence in Britain's Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, he would likely make it a condition of his gift that a new director of religion is installed to work alongside Sacks. And by making higher salaries possible, he would hope to recruit world-class rabbis from the continent and the United States.

The changes would not stop there. The 'flagship' synagogue in St John's Wood, north London, would be demolished and rebuilt. And a brand new headquarters would be provided for the United Synagogue, possibly by converting two hotels that were built at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge complex by the club's previous owner, Ken Bates. "The Star of David would then stand alongside the Chelsea lion at the gates of the stadium," said the Jewish Chronicle's source.

Such a donation would not be unprecedented: Abramovich is a long-time supporter of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities. ·