[5][6] Haïm Korsia was born in Lyon, France, to Sephardi Jewish parents who had immigrated from Algeria.

[7] Korsia has earned several advanced degrees: Master of Business Administration at Reims Management School; Master of Advanced Studies, École pratique des hautes études; and a PhD in contemporary history from University of Poitiers.

[9] In June 2014, members of a committee of the Central Consistory elected Korsia as Chief Rabbi of France in a 131–97 vote.

Martine Cohen, an expert on Judaism at the National Center for Scientific Research in Paris, noted that Korsia's election as the chief rabbi represented a shift to a more "Modern Orthodoxy" compared to the previous conservative leanings of the Jewish Orthodox establishment.

Since the turn of the 21st century, there has been a rise in anti-Semitic activity in France, some associated with international issues, such as the Second Intifada and other tensions in Israel/Palestine territories; economic problems for some in the community; increased emigration to Israel; and corruption among some Jewish leaders.

[10] Korsia has embraced a more liberal position in relation to Jews born to non-Jewish mothers and Jewish fathers, calling them "seed of Israel".

Shortly after assuming his new role, Korsia appointed Dolly Touitou to a new position to address complaints filed against the French Jewish religious services organization.