Jerusalem Councilman (Shas) Chaim Cohen has sent a letter to party chairman, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, in which he requests changing the name of Elad to Chazon Ovadia, in memory of Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L.

Cohen’s letter to Deri followed a call by Deri to change the name of Elad to Ayelet HaShachar in memory of Maran HaGaon HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman ZT”L. In his letter, Cohen writes, “It has been four years since the petira of Maran Rav Ovadia, and Baruch H’, many cities and municipalities have names streets and neighborhoods after the Gadol.

“I would like to suggest changing the name of Elad to Chazon Ovadia. Elad is the only chareidi community in which most of its residents over the years adhered to the piskei halacha of Rav Ovadia.

Since the news broke of Deri wanting to change the name of Elad, Modi’in Illit Mayor Yaakov Gutterman is calling to change the name of Modi’in Illit to Ayelet HaShachar, pointing out the late Rosh Yeshiva was among the founders of the city.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)