Minister of Religious Services David Azoulai accused the Tzohar Rabbonim organization of earning significant sums of money but failing to report the income. Speaking with journalist Yehuda Schlesinger in �Yisrael Hashavua�, Azoulai stated �I have no problem with the organization�s activities but it earns money which is not reported. If the organization wishes to register and marry people, fine, but what about the money it charges for these services, a lot of money�.

He explains when a couple registers to get married with the Chief Rabbinate it pays a fee and that money goes to the local religious council. However, concerning Tzohar, no one really knows what happens to the money. �No one receives a reckoning and I view this in a most serious light. This cannot be permitted�.

He feels the organization views itself as a replacement for the Chief Rabbinate and it is not sufficiently in tune with the tzibur. �Tzohar feels the Chief Rabbinate is out of touch. After all, what does the public seek? Does the public expect that everyone is automatically accepted and registered without validating one�s Jewishness? Without checking it is not true to its responsibilities�.

Azoulai feels this is analogous to one visiting a physician and asking for a specific medication without expecting the physician to determine what is wrong with a patient. When one comes to the Rabbanut the rabbonim are responsible to determine the validity of one�s Jewishness.

He adds �I have yet to see the difference between Tzohar�s rabbonim and those of the Chief Rabbinate. One only needs to conduct a chupah in accordance with Halacha. One may address the event with a few personal words if one wishes, but the main point is to conduct the chupah properly. However, when one goes head-to-head with the Rabbanut and establishes an independent body we will all pay the price one day. I would have expected Tzohar Rabbonim to be more cooperative with the Chief Rabbis of Israel than it is�.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)