Rabbonim, including some rabbonim of yishuvim and others, who were partners in the Tzohar Rabbonim initiative to perform weddings, have on Monday made a public appeal to the organization, calling on its to stop performing giyur and hashgacha, explaining doing so significantly compromises the status the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

The letter begins with the rabbonim explaining their affiliation with Tzohar Rabbonim as an organization offering wedding services, which they believe was a positive and welcome step, as they operated in cooperation with the Chief Rabbinate and they volunteered their services towards a “desire to be MeKadesh Shem Shomayim”.

The rabbonim include Rabbi Danny Stiskin (former Rav of Maon), Rav Eliav Meir (Rav of the Chevel Modi’in district), Rabbi Shlomo Azoulos (head of a mechina yeshiva), Rav Yitzchak Cohen (Rav of Yishuv Moreshet) and others.

They explain “other activities” have been undertaken by Tzohar, and they are not in agreement with these new functions, expressing their disappointment. They point out that these and other actions led to the resignation of prominent dati leumi rabbonim, including the organization’s president, HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ariel Shlita, “who has also leveled harsh criticism against Tzohar”.

They state that the organization is now operating against “The Mora D’asra of Klall Yisrael”, i.e. the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, by performing other services, including giyur and providing hashgacha. The rabbonim explain that “public support does not add or diminish” regarding the services Tzohar provides, and it should not have strayed from its original course of working with the Chief Rabbinate by providing wedding services.

These rabbonim are calling on the Tzohar leadership to refrain from any and all activities that compromise the status of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, “in line with the vision of Maran HaRav Kook ZT”L”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)