Former Chief Rabbinate Director-General Yehuda Cohen Dies in Work Accident

By שילֹה פריד

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

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Yehuda Cohen, the former Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate, died Friday after a work accident at his home in Kfar Ha'Raveh where he was struck by a concrete beam. Cohen held numerous public service roles, including heading local councils and religious councils. He was appointed Director-General by Matan Kahane and continued under Michael Malchieli, and was once nominated for Civil Service Commissioner by Benjamin Netanyahu. The Chief Rabbinate eulogized him as a dedicated public servant.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Yehuda Cohen, former Chief Rabbinate Director-General, died after a work accident at his home.
Cohen was struck by a concrete beam during construction work at his residence.
He previously served as Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate until a few months ago.
Cohen held various other public service positions, including heading local councils.
Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously nominated him for Civil Service Commissioner.
He had recently approved Tzohar's kashrut certification against the Chief Rabbis' stance.

Former Chief Rabbinate Director-General Yehuda Cohen Dies in Work Accident — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Yehuda Cohen, who served as the Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate until a few months ago, died on Friday after being struck by a concrete beam during work at his home in Kfar Ha'Raveh several days prior. Cohen had a long career in public service, previously holding positions such as Director-General of the Ma'aleh Ironit local council, Director-General of the Bir al-Maksur local council, and head of the Buqata local council. He also chaired the approved religious councils recovery program in Netanya, Hadera, Kfar Saba, and Kiryat Ata, and served as head of the Elkana local council.

His appointment as Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate was made by former Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahane, and he continued in the role under Minister Michael Malchieli. In May 2025, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Cohen as his candidate for the position of Civil Service Commissioner, though this appointment did not ultimately materialize. A few months ago, Cohen approved the kashrut certification of Tzohar, an organization, contrary to the position of the Chief Rabbis.

The Chief Rabbinate issued a statement mourning Cohen's passing, noting that he "dedicated many years of his life to public activity and religious services, first as chairman of a religious council and then as Director-General of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel." The statement described him as "a man of action and devotion, who worked faithfully over the years with a sense of mission for the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, its rabbis and employees, and for the entire public." It further stated that "in his work he saw a true mission, and worked with all his might to strengthen the status and fortify the Chief Rabbinate and to elevate the status of Torah." The Chief Rabbinate expressed its condolences to his family.