Rav Zevadia Cohen was elected chief rabbi of Tel Aviv–Jaffa and, shortly after the results were announced, arrived at the city’s Religious Council building to deliver his victory address, outlining his vision for the role.

Opening his remarks, Rav Cohen reflected on his years of service as head of the rabbinical courts in the city, a position he held for 18 years, during which he oversaw matters of marriage, divorce, conversion, and agunah cases both in Israel and abroad.

“Rav Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory, who served here as the city’s rabbi, taught us in halacha to act with leniency in order to unite everyone together. Also in my new role as chief rabbi, which includes kashrus, mikvaos, and eruvin, we will be able to follow his path and provide the best service with warmth and pleasantness. Until now, we have done everything quietly, without headlines, all for the benefit of the city’s residents—to serve them as one man with one heart. I travel throughout the entire city, in all its neighborhoods, providing whatever is needed with a welcoming approach that connects and unites.”

He continued by emphasizing the qualities required of a leader, drawing on well-known teachings.

“When Hashem sought to appoint a leader, the Midrash says He chose Moshe Rabbeinu. Why? Because when He saw that Moshe was a shepherd, He noticed a young goat that was thirsty, and Moshe placed it on his shoulders. Hashem said: if you care about a small goat, you can be a leader. King David would first bring out the weaker goats to graze on the softer grass, and only afterward the stronger ones. A leader must always look to the weaker ones and those in need of help. You will hear the cry of the poor and respond to their plea. With Hashem’s help, I intend to gather all the community rabbis to sit together and elevate the city spiritually, all with a pleasant demeanor and kindness, and to sanctify Hashem’s Name in public.”

Rav Cohen’s election comes after eight years in which the city operated without a permanent chief rabbi, following the retirement of Rav Yisrael Meir Lau in 2018. With his appointment, Rav Cohen will also automatically become a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel.

The election committee, chaired by retired Supreme Rabbinical Court judge Rav Yaakov Zamir, released the final results: Rav Zevadia Cohen received 37 votes, Rav Chaim Amsalem received 21, and Rav Aryeh Levin received 3 votes, out of a total of 64 eligible voters. Other committee members included Rav Yitzchak Levy, attorney Rachel Dayan, Tal Tanami, Yonit Gisfan, and representatives of the Ministry of Religious Services’ legal department. The committee secretary was Tzuriel Porat.

Sephardic Chief Rabbi Rav David Yosef spoke with Rav Cohen following the results. Rav Yosef bentched him to continue strengthening Torah and spreading its influence, following the path of Aharon HaKohen: “One who loves peace and pursues peace, loves people, and brings them closer to Torah.” Rav Cohen thanked him warmly and said, “It is a great merit for me. I will act under the guidance of our master, may he live long, for the benefit of all the residents of Tel Aviv–Yaffo, and to increase peace.”

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai also responded to the election, stating: “I congratulate Rav Zevadia Cohen on his election as chief rabbi of Tel Aviv–Yaffo. After eight years in which the city functioned without a chief rabbi, elections were held today in accordance with the law enacted by the state requiring us to do so. I want to say clearly that with or without a chief rabbi, Tel Aviv–Yaffo is a free, liberal, and democratic city that respects the choices and lifestyles of all its residents—and it will remain so. I wish the newly elected rabbi success in his role and am confident he will act with an understanding of the unique character of Tel Aviv–Jaffa and its diverse population.”

Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services Yehuda Avidan welcomed the outcome, saying: “We congratulate the conclusion of this process. Thanks to a professional and orderly procedure that began under the outgoing minister MK Michael Malchieli, we have merited today to have strong spiritual leadership for the city of Tel Aviv. I would like to thank Mayor Ron Huldai for his cooperation in conducting the election process. Rav Zevadia Cohen is a symbol of halacha and warmth, and I am confident he will connect all the city’s residents to the world of Torah and make Judaism accessible in a clear and unifying way. This is a significant step in strengthening the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.”

Eldad Mizrachi, chairman of the Tel Aviv Religious Council, also congratulated Rav Cohen, stating: “Tel Aviv–Jaffa has chosen a chief rabbi and dayan of the highest caliber, a Torah scholar who has lived among the people of Tel Aviv for many years. He knows how to connect and embrace others with warmth and a balanced, inclusive halachic approach. He continues the distinguished rabbinic tradition that has existed in this city.”

{Matzav.com}