It appears the election in Betar Illit will be more than a formality as three candidates are challenging Mayor Rubinstein’s bid for another term in office. The deadline for submitting names of candidates is Monday, 12 Tishrei 5774 at 18:00.

It appears Karlin chossid Chaim Weisberg, Yehuda Sofer who serves as principal of the Moreshet Yerushalayim School (Masmidim & Prushim) and Menachem Zeida, a community activist and Vishnitz chossid plan to run. The latter, Zeida, is known to be close to Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzchak Pindrus.

They have all been seen circulating in the community as they race against the clock to fulfill the requirement to obtain 500 signatures supporting their candidacy. Weisberg (Karliner chossid) reported on Monday morning, 12 Tishrei that he has the signatures in hand. The other two continue working with hours to the deadline.

Ladaat adds that people close to the rebbe state if the Karliner Rebbe asks the incumbent, Mayor Meir Rubinstein to withdraw from the race for the sake of achdus, he will not hesitate to do so in line with the rebbe’s instructions.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)