Chief rabbi

Chief rabbi calls for protection of mosques, churches and synagogues after attacks

“Just as we demand full protection for synagogues and for Jewish lives, so too we reject any harm to mosques, churches, and all houses of prayer...and all religious violence," Rabbi Bar wrote.

 Rabbi Kalman Bar
Passengers seen at the Ben-Gurion Airport train station, August 17, 2025

Israel’s chief rabbis protest planned Shabbat public transportation

Rabbi Kalman Ber, Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Israel with Eduard Shyfrin, businessman, mathematician, and Kabbalah scholar

Israel’s Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber visits Monaco Jewish community

Rabbi Zamir Isayev, the Sephardic chief rabbi of Azerbaijan, visited Israel this week as part of events marking the Knesset’s anniversary, which fell on Tu Bishvat, the date of the inaugural sitting of Israel’s first Knesset.

Baku Sephardic rabbi visits Knesset, highlights Azerbaijan commitment to Jewish community security


Breaking the mold: A historic opportunity for the chief rabbis to revitalize Judaism - opinion

The continued erosion of trust in the rabbinate risks polarizing and marginalizing Judaism within Israeli society even further. The new chief rabbis have a historic opportunity to reverse this trend.

 PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG sits with the incoming chief rabbis, Ashkenazi Rabbi Kalman Ber (right) and Sephardic Rabbi David Yosef, at their swearing-in ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem earlier this month.

Herzog, grandson of Israel’s first Chief Rabbi Inaugurates current Chief Rabbis

President Herzog, the grandson of the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel, hosted Rabbi Kalman Ber and Rabbi David Yosef.

Israeli president Isaac Herzog at “The Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism”, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem on October 30, 2024.

'He just hates women': Smotrich-backed chief rabbi nom. faces controversy over child support policy

Smotrich’s support for Halevi is in contrast to the committee he himself established with rabbis from the religious Zionist community.

 FINANCE MINISTER Bezalel Smotrich speaks at a news conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem, last week.

This week in Jewish history: The start of the IDF draft and the Daf Yomi cycle

A highly abridged version of the daily Dust & Stars.

 CELEBRATING SIYUM HASHAS, the completion of the ‘Daf Yomi,’ a seven-and-a-half-year cycle of studying the Talmud, at Har Etzion Yeshiva.

At 28, Ireland’s new chief rabbi is leading an aging population in a time of turmoil

Ireland's newest chief rabbi has stepped up during a time of conflict and uncertainty, especially amid Ireland's staunch criticism of Israel.

 The inauguration ceremony of Rabbi Yoni Wieder as chief rabbi of Ireland was held at the Dublin Hebrew Synagogue, May 21, 2024.

It's time for a revolutionary rabbi to come save Judaism from self-destructing - opinion

Through the ages, many courageous rabbis changed the course of Judaism by taking bold action, often, if not always, in the face of vehement opposition. It's time for a new rabbinic revolution.

 An illustrative image of a cannon firing.

Education as the key to Jewish resilience and global impact - opinion

Amid rising challenges, Jewish education must stay a priority, nurturing future leaders to ensure Jewish children not only survive but thrive.

 ‘THERE IS only one way to change the world, and that is through education,’ wrote the late UK chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks.

Chief Rabbi election must be held by September 30, High Court rules

The state has two chief rabbis, one Sephardic and the other Ashkenazi. The previous rabbis were Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and Rabbi David Lau.

A court hearing on the government's drafting of yeshiva students for the IDF, at the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem on June 2, 2024

Grapevine: Rabbi Herzog, holy rescuer

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 Then chief rabbi Israel Meir Lau takes part in the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem in 2022.

New interim chief rabbi appointed, previous resigned over inclusion of female rabbis

Ralbag's appointment was made according to the rule that that the oldest member of the rabbinical council will fill the position in the absence of a serving chief rabbi.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef speaks during the funeral of Yehuda Deri, the chief rabbi of Beersheba, in Jerusalem, July 9, 2024