As the election for Israel’s chief rabbis nears, the Yisrael Beitenu Party has announced its support for Rabbanei Tzohar leader Rabbi David Stav’s candidacy. Rav Stav, who also serves as the rav of the community of Shoham, is being supported by the party as officials explain because of his accomplishments and proven abilities. Party officials feel that Rabbi Stav’s candidacy marks the first time that a rav from the dati leumi community has a real chance of succeeding after years of chareidi control in the Chief Rabbinate.

Party leader Avigdor Lieberman feels Rabbi Stav has shown the necessary leadership qualities and he has more than proven his suitability over the years as the rav of Shoham and as the head of the Tzohar Rabbonim.

Party general-secretary Fania Kirshenbaum announced the party’s position, favoring Rabbi Stav, explaining he is the most suited candidate and best represents one who has a vision for the future of Israel as a Jewish democratic nation. She points out that Rabbi Stav has made it clear that he feels the Chief Rabbinate is here to serve the citizens in areas of Yahadut and religious services and not the opposite, which appears to have been the case over recent years.

Since political parties in Knesset represent part of the voters in the rabbinical race, the announcement is a boost to Stav’s candidacy.

While the list of candidates is not official, persons seen as possible or likely candidates for Ashkenazi chief rabbi in addition to Rabbi Stav include Rabbi Yaakov Shapira (son of late Chief Rabbi Avrohom Kahane Shapira ZT”L and rosh yeshivas Merkaz HaRav), Rabbi Eliezer Igra (Dayan on Rabbinical Supreme Court), Rabbi David Lau (son of Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau and current chief rabbi of Modi’in), and Rabbi Yitzchok Dovid Grossman (chief rabbi of Migdal HaEmek).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)