Rabbi Zevadya Cohen has been chosen as the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, securing 37 of the 61 votes cast. The result ends an eight-year period during which the city operated without a chief rabbi. Rabbi Chaim Amsalem finished second with 21 votes.

The vote, held on Sunday, was decided by a 64-member electoral body selecting from a field of 16 candidates. Rabbi Cohen’s win is also seen as a political boost for the Shas party, which has successfully backed several municipal rabbinical appointments across Israel over the past year.

Among the other candidates were Rabbi Oshri Moyal, Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Lau, Rabbi Ben Zion Shmuel Avidan, Rabbi Nosson Nechemiah Zeidman, Rabbi Aryeh Levin, Rabbi Amos Chai Shoshan, Rabbi Amnon Hagigi, Rabbi Eldad Yona, Rabbi Shimon Nissim Legersi, Rabbi Eldad Sami Levy, Rabbi Uziel Moshe Berkowitz, Rabbi Tomer Portal Biton, Rabbi Barak Cohen, and Rabbi Or Shraga. Aside from Rabbi Amsalem’s 21 votes, Rabbi Aryeh Levin received 3 votes, three electors were absent, and the remaining candidates did not receive any votes.

By virtue of his position, Rabbi Cohen will now join the Council of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. In keeping with longstanding custom, he is also expected to don the traditional rabbinical “glima” robe and turban associated with the role.

Following the announcement, former Minister of Religious Services MK Michael Malkiel said: “At the end of a complex election campaign during which various elements attempted to agitate against the election of a rabbi for the city, Rabbi Zevadya Cohen, Shlita, was elected to the important position. There is no doubt that this election will allow many of the city’s residents to connect with religion in a brighter light, together with the excellent religious services operating in the city. The election results show that this is the desire of the majority of the city’s residents who desire tradition and Judaism. Thanks to the vigorous activity of Rabbi Aryeh Deri, we will continue to strengthen and consolidate religious services in Israel”