Chief rabbi

Former Jerusalem chief rabbi Aryeh Stern dies at 81

Former Jerusalem chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern, known for promoting unity and religious Zionism, died at age 81, drawing tributes from Israeli leaders.

|ByMICHAEL STARR
Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern
People walk past a projection depicting Israeli and US flags on the walls of Jerusalem's Old City on Oct. 22, 2025.

Rabbinic diplomacy between Israel and US explored in new exhibition

A new exhibition celebrates 100 years of rabbinic diplomacy between Israel and the US, showcasing key meetings, letters, and diplomatic exchanges between Chief Rabbis and US Presidents.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
Rabbi Kalman Bar

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.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Passengers seen at the Ben-Gurion Airport train station, August 17, 2025

Israel’s chief rabbis protest planned Shabbat public transportation

The letter was sent amid the ongoing Operation Roaring Lion, with the planned operations aiming to help stranded Israelis return home from Ben-Gurion Airport after landing.

|ByKATERYNA POBEREZHNA

Will Isaac Herzog be remembered among his historic family? - opinion

It must be asked: What qualities does he display now, halfway through his seven-year term? How does he envisage his legacy, compared to that of other Herzogs?

JANUARY 23, 2025ByTOVA HERZL
PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG places a note in the Western Wall last Sunday, with a prayer for the well-being of the three hostages returning to freedom later in the day, the return of all hostages, military success, a recovery for all those injured, and unity.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: Even haredi men who don't work are prohibited from serving in the IDF

The Prime Minister's Office responded to the remarks, criticizing them as "unacceptable and deserving of complete condemnation."

DECEMBER 15, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, WALLA!
Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sells the hametz (leavened food) of the State of Israel to Arab Israeli Mr Jaber before the upcoming Passover holiday in Jerusalem, April 21, 2024.

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.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024BySETH FARBER
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.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
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.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024ByBINI ASCHKENASY
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.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024BySTEVEN DRUCKER
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.

AUGUST 28, 2024BySHIRA LI BARTOV/JTA
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.

AUGUST 25, 2024BySTEWART WEISS
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.

AUGUST 22, 2024ByCHAYA YOSOVICH
‘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.

AUGUST 12, 2024ByELIAV BREUER
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