The Rechovot City Council on Wednesday (22 Elul) approved beginning the process to appoint a Sephardi chief rabbi of the city, to work alongside the city’s veteran Ashkenazi chief rabbi, HaGaon HaRav Simcha HaCohen Kook Shlita.
The matter was raised by Councilman (Likud) Giora Ben-Ari, who pointed out the need for a Sephardi chief rabbi. Councilman Menachem Klein read a letter from Rabbi Kook, who called upon councilman to approve the move, which they did.
Some councilmen however were displeased by the Rav’s letter in light of ongoing tensions between Mayor Rachamim Mallul and Rabbi Kook. (YWN will not detail the ongoing dispute in that city surrounding a local cultural center).
Despite the encouraging report, in reality, it may sometime until a Sephardi rav serves in the city since the appointment requires approval of the city council, Ministry of Religious Services and the Justice Ministry.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Perhaps there is wisdom in the American system of having the frum Jews pick their own rabbanim, and not have an “official” government-sanction rabbi appointed with the hope he’ll rule over us. Yiddishkeit is based on the frum yidden, not on bureaucracy.
Wow! What Achdus!
#1 Rabbanim in America are paid by their shuls, a.k.a. through membership, donors and sponsors of the particular shul. There is a elite hiring committee made up of board members who interviews and selects a Rav, the Rav can then be a servant to his shul and hope for continued year after year contracts. The Rav may try to rule over the kehilla, yet on many instances its just the opposite.
In America, money is the deciding factor while in Israel bureaucracy – the $$$ is in the bureaucracy. Try as you may to throw pot shots always at life in Israel, the grass aint greener on the other side. (maybe greener$$$)