Israel’s Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religious Services have issued a joint statement clarifying that no private organization is authorized to represent them in matters of marriage registration, warning the public against relying on groups that claim to operate under their auspices without official approval.

The statement was released in response to advertisements and social media posts circulated in recent weeks by the nonprofit organization “Anachnu Techelet,” which, according to the government agencies, has presented itself as working “in full cooperation with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel” to assist couples seeking to register for marriage.

The Chief Rabbinate and the ministry categorically rejected those claims, stating that no such relationship exists. “No approval has been granted, no authorization has been issued, and there is no institutional relationship whatsoever between the Chief Rabbinate, the Ministry of Religious Services, and ‘Anachnu Techelet’ or anyone acting on its behalf,” the statement said.

Officials emphasized that the clarification applies not only to this specific organization, but to any private nonprofit, association, or other entity that claims to operate in cooperation with, on behalf of, or under the sponsorship of the Chief Rabbinate or the Ministry of Religious Services without receiving formal authorization.

The ministry and the Chief Rabbinate also reiterated that Israel’s official marriage registration process is handled exclusively through authorized government channels. “The marriage registration process in Israel is conducted solely through the regional rabbinate offices and the official systems of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and no private entity or nonprofit organization is authorized to act on their behalf,” the statement said.

The agencies concluded by urging couples to work directly with their local rabbinate offices when registering for marriage and to avoid relying on private organizations that claim to represent the Chief Rabbinate unless they have received explicit official authorization.

{Matzav.com}