In the elections held this evening (Thursday) in Kiryat Bialik, Rabbi Yosef Toledano was elected as the city’s rabbi. Rabbi Toledano’s election was made possible after he won the majority of votes from the members of the electing assembly, in a process that took place in coordination and mutual agreement between the Ministry of Religious Services and the Kiryat Bialik Municipality.
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 Kiryat Bialik, which has not had a permanent city rabbi for the past 17 years.
Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services, Yehuda Avidan, thanked the chairman of the election committee, the (retired) Dayan Rabbi Shlomo Tam, and Mayor Mr. Eli Dukorsky for their professional guidance. In his blessing to the elected rabbi, Avidan said: “Thanks to an orderly process initiated by the outgoing minister, Michael Malchieli, we are today celebrating its completion. I am fully confident that Rabbi Toledano will continue the tradition of the city’s rabbis, connect residents to the world of Torah, and make accessible an explanatory Judaism with a friendly demeanor. This appointment provides the city with spiritual and communal stability.”
Five candidates competed for the position. Rabbi Yosef Toledano was elected by a majority of votes.
Rabbi Yosef Toledano (44), a resident of Kiryat Bialik, is a graduate of the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak. He continued his studies at the Kollel affiliated with the ‘Kneset Chizkiyahu’ Yeshiva and at the ‘Keter Shem Tov’ Kollel for Rabbis and Dayanim in the city. The Rabbi holds “Kosher” certificates for city rabbi and Dayan from the chief rabbinate of Israel, and serves as a Dayan in the ‘Mishpat v’Tzedek’ Beit Din. He also serves as the rabbi of the ‘Etz Chaim’ community in Kiryat Bialik.
The election committee was headed by (retired) Dayan Rabbi Shlomo Tam. The other committee members were: Mr. Lior Torgan, Mr. Yossi Azriel, and Ms. Yonit Gisfan. The committee secretary is Mr. Yaakov Cohen.
Rabbi Shimon Azriel, Chairman of the Religious Council in Kiryat Bialik, welcomed the election and stated: “The election was carried out in full cooperation and broad agreement. This is an important day for the residents of Kiryat Bialik, and I am confident that Rabbi Toledano will lead the city to spiritual growth and strengthen community and tradition values.”
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