With the election for Jerusalem Chief Rabbis less than 48 hours away, the Hiddush organization is calling for a police investigation into one of the leading candidates, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar Shlita. The organization accuses the rabbi of engaging in illegal fundraising during his tenure as Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Hiddush made an urgent appeal to the Attorney General’s Office and the State Prosecutor’s Office in the hope of having Rabbi Amar’s candidacy disqualified ahead of the election. Walla News reports. Rav Amar is supported by the Bayit Yehudi party and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Hiddush alleges that the rabbi solicited significant funds for a private tzedaka.

Aides to Rabbi Amar explain “The Rishon L’Tzion works hard to assist and support many tzedaka agencies including נווה שלו which works to prevent assimilation”, particularly Jewish women being seduced by non-Jewish men. They add to the best of the rav’s knowledge, he does not have any relatives connected to the tzedaka and therefore they see nothing wrong with the rav’s support and assistance.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)