In a sign that peace may be at hand, Jerusalem Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar Shlita met in New York City with Rabbi David Yosef Shlita. The meeting took place in the Safra Shul in Manhattan.

The meeting has significance, especially in the Sephardi/Shas community as tensions have run high between the two rabbonim in recent years. This Purim Rav Amar came to the home of HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita to bring misloach manos. Rav Amar has been on the ‘outs’ among Shas rabbonim and is slowly working his way back, including with his mechutin, Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita. There has also been contact, albeit briefly, between Shas leader Aryeh Deri and Rav Amar, signaling peace efforts are moving forward.

Rav Amar fell out of favor when he did not back Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef’s candidacy in the Chief Rabbinate race.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)