Rabbi Chaim Amsellem Shlita, one of the candidates in the race to become the next Jerusalem Chief Sephardi Chief Rabbi explained his priorities ahead of the election. Rabbi Amsellem explains that if elected, he will work to improve religious services in the city including giyur, marriage, the local religious council, and kashrus. Rabbi Amsellem recently met with persons involved in what is called “alternative kashrus”, those who have been challenging the rabbinate’s exclusivity over kashrus. The rabbi promises he can reach agreement with them as well. The dati leumi Srugim website adds this includes dealing with representatives of Reform and Conservative Jewry.

Rabbi Amsellem explains the city is made up of religious and non-religious Jews as well as different streams of observant Jews and a rabbi who can maintain a channel of communications with all of these communities must be elected towards bringing achdus to the city.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)