The Election Committee for the Rabbinate of Be’er Sheva, headed by the retired Justice of the Great Rabbinical Court, Rabbi Yitzhak Elmaliach, announced today (Sunday) after the vote count the election of Rabbi Avraham Dery as the Chief Rabbi of Be’er Sheva. This appointment is part of the Ministry of Religious Services‘ policy to lead permanent appointments of city rabbis in Israel, recognizing the importance of stable and permanent Torah leadership. This is a significant step for the residents of Be’er Sheva following the passing of his father, the Gaon Rabbi Yehuda Dery, may his memory be blessed.
The Election Committee was headed by retired Justice of the Great Rabbinical Court, Rabbi Yitzhak Elmaliach. The other committee members were: Rabbi Yitzhak Levi, Chief Rabbi of Nesher, Mr. Moshe Ben Zaken, Dr. Chafzi Zohar, the Legal Department of the Ministry of Religious Services. The committee secretary is Mr. Tzuriel Porat. Upon completion of the vote count, the Election Committee published the results: Rabbi Avraham Dery received 26 votes, Rabbi Yoram Cohen received 25 votes, Rabbi Gad Rivach received 2 votes, and one envelope was empty.
As mentioned, the elected rabbi is the son of the late Gaon Rabbi Y. Dery, who served as the Chief Rabbi and Head of the Rabbinical Courts in Be’er Sheva and a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel. The elected rabbi will continue his father’s legacy in the city’s rabbinate and will serve as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council of Israel.
Rabbi Avraham Dery is a native of Be’er Sheva, a graduate of the Ateret Israel Yeshiva and the Negev Yeshiva, and holds a Kollel Hora’ah for Rabbinate and Dayanut. He was ordained as a rabbi and dayan by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and holds a certificate of fitness to serve as a city rabbi and dayan. Rabbi Dery served as a dayan in a rabbinical court abroad recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. His lectures, which he delivers in Torah institutions, deal with the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch.
The Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services, Yehuda Avidan, thanked the Chairman of the Committee, retired Justice of the Great Rabbinical Court, the Gaon Rabbi Yitzhak Elmaliach, and the Mayor, Mr. Rubik Danilovich, and congratulated the elected rabbi: “Thanks to a structured process initiated by the outgoing Minister of Religious Services, MK Michael Malchieli, and coordinated with all parties, we are pleased to celebrate the completion of the election of Rabbi Avraham Dery as the Chief Rabbi. I believe that Rabbi, may he live and be well, will continue his father’s tradition in the city’s rabbinate and will work to connect residents to the world of Torah and make Judaism accessible with a welcoming demeanor. The appointment of a rabbi for Be’er Sheva provides spiritual and communal stability. The appointment will also strengthen the Chief Rabbinate of Israel with his joining as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council. It allows residents to benefit from clear and committed Torah leadership.”
The Chairman of the Religious Council, Ofer Karadi congratulated the elected rabbi: “This is a historic and foundational day for religious services in Be’er Sheva. The election of Rabbi Avraham Dery is truly good news for every resident of the city. The Religious Council will stand by the side of the elected Chief Rabbi to ensure accessible, illuminating, and connecting religious services, out of respect for the glorious tradition of his father, may his memory be blessed, and with an eye towards a future of unity and spiritual growth.”
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