Kiryat Ono Honors Rabbi Ratzon Arusi After 45 Years of Service
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Kiryat Ono honored Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arusi at a special event celebrating his 45 years as the city's chief rabbi. The ceremony was attended by prominent rabbis and city officials who praised his contributions to religious life and community unity. Rabbi Arusi reflected on his mission and the importance of national unity, concluding with prayers for IDF soldiers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Kiryat Ono celebrated Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arusi's 45 years of service as the city's chief rabbi.
- Chief Rabbi of Israel Kalman Bar and Mayor Michal Rosenhein praised Arusi's contributions.
- Rabbi Arusi emphasized the importance of national unity and bridging divides.
- The event included tributes from fellow rabbis and a personal reflection from Arusi's daughter.
- Arusi concluded with prayers for IDF soldiers and thanked his wife for her support.
Kiryat Ono held a celebratory tribute evening for Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arusi, marking the end of his 45-year tenure as the city's official rabbi. The event was attended by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Kalman Bar, other rabbis, public figures, and residents who lauded Arusi's contributions to Torah study, fostering unity, and public cohesion in the city.
Mayor Michal Rosenhein highlighted Rabbi Arusi's impact on city life, emphasizing his role as a unifying figure for religious, secular, and traditional residents. She spoke of his dedication, participation in residents' joys and sorrows, and his volunteer-led classes for senior citizens. Rabbi Yitzhak Vardi, the new Rabbi of Kiryat Ono, recounted Arusi's initial words upon entering office, "One generation enters, one generation leaves," and suggested a revised phrase, "One generation enters, one generation continues," to signify the ongoing legacy of Arusi's work.
Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar spoke of Arusi's deep connection with the city's residents, stating, "We are not parting from the Rabbi, the Rabbi said he is not just a rabbi but a father, and a father cannot part from his children." Rabbi Zabedia Cohen, Rabbi of Tel Aviv and a senior judge, praised Arusi's halachic expertise, noting his assistance with complex rulings and his ability to understand the human element behind halachic questions.
During the event, Rabbi Arusi's daughter shared personal anecdotes, including his early morning Torah study routine and his initial weekly walks from Bnei Brak to Kiryat Ono to deliver lectures. She also thanked his wife for her decades of support. In his address, Rabbi Arusi reflected on the responsibility of his role, comparing it to the High Priest's service on Yom Kippur, and stressed that rabbinate is a mission requiring dedication. He identified maintaining national unity and bridging divides as key challenges for contemporary rabbinates, also mentioning his work in promoting Jewish law, training scholars, and interfaith dialogue.
The evening included a film reviewing Rabbi Arusi's life and work, and he received a gift from the Kiryat Ono municipality. He concluded with a prayer for the safety of IDF soldiers, the recovery of the wounded, and comfort for bereaved families, expressing gratitude to his wife.