The son of the chief minister versus the chief minister's loyalists: Who will succeed the rabbi of Emek Hefer?

July 2, 2017   

A fierce struggle is currently taking place beneath the surface.: Who will be appointed rabbi of the Emek Hefer Regional Council in Sharon, replacing Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, who has served in the position until now and has reached retirement age? The decision is scheduled to be made tomorrow (Monday) by the Chief Rabbinate Council, when the council members will have to decide between two rabbis who have submitted candidacies for the position, or to extend the term of Rabbi Weiss, the rabbi of Kfar Haro'ah and the rabbi of the council, by six months. There is also the possibility that a new candidate, who did not submit a candidacy, will be nominated. The rabbis who submitted candidacies for the vacant position are Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, son of the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, the Gersham Amar, the rabbi of Moshav Olesh-Berutaim and an important kollel leader in Jerusalem, and Rabbi Yosef Karsik, the rabbi of the Bat Hefer settlement - the largest settlement in the regional council and regional rabbi in the Hefer Valley settlements. Rabbi Weiss, who is considered a highly respected and beloved rabbi by all the communities in the region, was forced to retire from his position upon reaching the retirement age set by law for civil servants. The one who sees himself as a natural candidate for the position is Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, who has served as regional rabbi for more than 20 years. However, His candidacy is facing opposition from loyalists and students of the Chief Rabbinate, Rabbi Yosef. According to sources in the Chief Rabbinate, a major struggle is expected between the students of Rabbi Yosef, who are trying to influence the position of the Rishon LeZion - who as of last week expressed opposition to the appointment of Rabbi Amar to the position - to succeed, and the students and associates of the Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Amar, who are trying to use their many connections to his advantage. The one standing on the sidelines is Rabbi Yosef Karsik, a Chabad follower, who has served as rabbi for 28 years, and is considered to have great seniority as a regional rabbi. Rabbi Karsik is highly regarded among the residents of the regional council and enjoys broad public support - from many of the rabbis of the religious and ultra-Orthodox communities and residents, as well as from the Sephardic communities in the valley, in which he is active. However, although they see Rabbi Krasik as a natural successor to Rabbi Weiss, with whom he has been on close terms for many years, Rabbi Krasik is absent from any political elbows and is not lobbying for his election. Sources close to the rabbinate tell Haredim 10 that there is also a possibility that the decision tomorrow will be to grant Rabbi Weiss another six-month extension - a decision that those close to Rabbi Krasik enthusiastically support. It is important to note that there is respect between the two rabbis running, and they refrain from attacking or speaking negatively of their competitor. However, residents of the council with whom Haredim 10 spoke noted that "Rabbi Amar is a full-time kollel head in Jerusalem and is mainly located there. The work on kosher cannot be conducted remotely. There is a huge slaughterhouse and dozens of factories. This is someone who really needs to work. "In contrast, Rabbi Krasik is busy with Torah activities in the localities of the regional council all day long.". Rabbi Yosef Karsik. Photo: Shtaghmar.net In a conversation with Haredim 10, Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, who is abroad, says: "Since Rabbi Weiss has retired, and since I am the oldest regional rabbi in the Hefer Valley - I have lived there for 22 years and am active in most of the villages in the valley, and am also supported by the regional council and the religious council - naturally I am standing." According to him, "I hope that cheap politics will not stand in my way." Rabbi Amar adds and emphasizes: "Throughout the years, I have respected Rabbi Weiss, contrary to various claims, and although I was able to work to obtain extensive powers for many years in the past, I have never requested or taken any of his authority." • What are your chances tomorrow? Rabbi Amar: "I have no idea.".