Seeking to fulfill his promise to the dati leumi voters, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is working to expedite elections for an Ashkenazi and Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim. He has now announced “realizing there are those seeking two chareidi rabbis and those who wish to see two dati leumi rabbis, I suggest moving ahead with chareidi and dati leumi rabbis serving side-by-side.”

Speaking on Monday 3 Adar I 5774 at the Jerusalem Conference, the mayor released his call for the “chareidi and Zionist rabbonim” to serve together towards satisfying all involved.

In the coming days the state will have to present the Supreme Court with its response as to why the elections for chief rabbis in the capital are not being held. Barkat told his audience that he is confident that the election is not far away.

“The challenge is to bring kovod to Yerushalayim by electing rabbonim who know and to embrace and connect the general population of the city” concluded the mayor.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)