After more than a decade without a chief rabbi, Yerushalayim finally has two new ones.
A 48-member electoral body of 24 representatives from theYerushalayim City Council, 12 representatives designated by the minister of religious services, and 12 representatives designated by different shuls around the city voted between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Yerushalayim city hall.
Results were announced just before the 8 p.m. deadline.
Rav Shlomo Amar – the 66-year-old former Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel – was elected as the new Sephardic Chief Rabbi, with 28 votes.
Rav Aryeh Stern was voted in as Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi with 27 votes.
Yerushalayim Mayor Nir Barkat said after the results were released that “Yerushalayim is in the hands of Zionism. Bayit Yehudi blesses the Chief Rabbis of Yerushalayim, Rav Aryeh Stern and Rav Shlomo Amar, on their election. This is a great victories for the lovers of the nation of Israel, the land of Israel and the Torah of Israel.”
Among the non-winners, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu received 18 votes, Rav Chaim Amsallem received 2 votes, and Rav Moshe Chaim Lau received 20 votes.
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}
Why cant the taxpaying voter, vote?
Rebitzen Eliyahu was angered over reports that Barkat stoond behind the deal that includes support for Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate candidates Rabbi Aryeh Stern and Rabbi Shlomo Amar . She stated everything is about small minded deals and dirty politics.
Speaking to Moshe Glasner, Rebitzen Eliyahu stated The rav chose him and backed him. The rav assisted him and he got to where he is. He wants Yerushalayim to be like Tel Aviv and to permit opening stores on Shabbos. This is unacceptable. Yerushalayim is a holy city.
The rebitzen also turned her criticism to the head of the Bayit Yehudi party, Naftali Bennett. When they brought him to our home, it was in the entrance, he said Ima please meet despite the fact the hallway was not well lit, I said ???? ??????? ????????
While hoping for the best and wishing them hatzlacha,we should make a rip in our clothes for bizayon hatorah
Rav Stern is. Talmid chomah & ish emes.
The bizayon is that Rav Shlesinger bowed out because of pressure.