Moshe Poris Crowned Chief Rabbi of Holon After Contentious Election

Holon officially inaugurated Rabbi Moshe Poris as the city's Sephardic Chief Rabbi in a ceremony attended by hundreds of residents, rabbis, and public figures. The event took place Wednesday, four months after Poris won the election for the position.

The ceremony featured Rabbi David Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, who placed the rabbinical crown on Poris's head. Poris secured his victory with 37 out of 56 votes from the electoral body, succeeding Rabbi Avraham Yosef, son of the late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Poris's election was not without controversy. A petition was filed with the Supreme Court challenging the election process and the appointment of Rabbi Yaakov Zamir as chairman of the election committee. The legal challenge reached a critical point on election day, but a request for an interim order to delay the vote was denied. Justice Khaled Kabub noted the petition's weak prospects and advised the petitioner to consider withdrawing it, allowing the election to proceed as scheduled.

Following the election, MK Michael Malchieli congratulated the newly elected rabbi, stating, "The city of Holon has gained an outstanding city rabbi who will lead the city in his unique way." The inauguration ceremony marked the culmination of the electoral process, with Rabbi Poris now formally assuming his duties as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Holon.