Rav Yitzchok Refoel Abuchatzeira was elected on Thursday evening as the new chief rabbi of the city of Ramla, securing an overwhelming majority of 31 votes out of 36 cast by the municipal rabbinical electoral body.

The announcement was made at the conclusion of the official vote count by the election committee responsible for selecting the city’s chief rabbi. The appointment marks the tenth chief rabbi selected during the current term.

Rav Abuchatzeira is the son of Rav Yechiel Abuchatzeira, the outgoing chief rabbi of Ramla, and the grandson of the renowned kabbalist and former chief rabbi of the city, the Baba Chaki zt”l. He is also the nephew of Rav Avraham Abuchatzeira, another prominent rabbinic figure in the city.

Former Minister of Religious Services and current Knesset member Michael Malkieli hailed the result, calling it a rare and meaningful moment. “Not every day does one merit the election of a city rav who represents a third generation on the rabbinic seat,” he said, describing the outcome as a significant achievement for the Shas party.

The election committee was chaired by retired judge Sarah Prisch. Committee members included Rav Yisrael Meir Biton, chief rabbi of Chadeira, Oren Rosenberg, and Michal Shemesh, with attorney Shiri Fogel serving as legal adviser to the committee, and Tzuriel Porat acting as committee secretary.

The election followed a period of legal challenges surrounding Rav Abuchatzeira’s candidacy. Earlier petitions had questioned the validity of his rabbinic certification, leading the High Court of Justice to temporarily freeze the election process. After the matter was resolved, the vote proceeded as scheduled, culminating in Rav Abuchatzeira’s decisive victory.

A lifelong resident of Ramla, Rav Abuchatzeira serves as a rosh kollel and is regarded as a central and unifying figure within the local community. Supporters describe him as a bridge between Ramla’s rich rabbinic heritage and the realities of a complex, multicultural city in 2026.

Israel’s Chief Rav and Rishon LeTzion, Rav Dovid Yosef, personally called Rav Abuchatzeira to congratulate him and wished him success in strengthening Jewish life in the city. He invoked the verse, “In place of your fathers shall be your sons,” expressing hope that the new rav would bring honor to his distinguished lineage.

Moshe Shitrit, chairman of the Ramla Religious Council, called the election “a historic and formative day for religious services in Ramla,” adding that the council would stand alongside the new chief rav to ensure accessible and inspiring religious services for all residents.

Ramla Mayor Michael Vidal also welcomed the result, congratulating Rav Abuchatzeira on his election and praising his father, Rav Yechiel Abuchatzeira, for decades of devoted service to the city.

{Matzav.com}