Military Rabbi Becomes a Grandfather as a Roundup Highlights Community Milestones Across Israel

A new batch of public and religious community updates highlighted personal milestones, visits, and appointments across Israel. Among the notable moments, Col. Rabbi Shahem Orekbi, head of the Military Rabbinate staff and deputy chief military rabbi, became a grandfather for the first time when his granddaughter was born. Family, friends, and acquaintances sent blessings for health, joy, and satisfaction to him and his wife.

At Rambam Medical Center in Haifa’s “Beit HaEven,” the bar mitzvah of Noam Mordechai Sluk became especially moving when his father, Rabbi Boaz Sluk, who was severely wounded by a explosive drone strike in Lebanon, rose from his bed and joined the celebration in a wheelchair. In Jerusalem, Interior Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu took part in the hillula for the late former chief rabbi and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu at Mount of Olives.

Several religious-community appointments were also announced. Rabbi Sagi Cohen was chosen unanimously as the new rabbi of the moshav of Meshekhot in the Jordan Valley. In Tel Aviv-Jaffa, hundreds of residents, community rabbis, and public figures attended a welcome event for the new chief rabbi, Rabbi Zbadya Cohen, at the central “HaMaor” synagogue in Jaffa, organized and hosted by Rabbi Shmaya Hecht. In Lod, Asher Nachmias was named chief executive of the city’s religious-Zionist core group, replacing Noam Dreyfus.

Other scenes included a training and bonding day for about 500 youth leaders from the Ariel movement, a new study hall for retirees in Beit El, and a return-home celebration in Kfar Haroeh for Sgt. Maj. Matanal Krieger, who lost both legs in Lebanon and was welcomed with singing, dancing, and Israeli flags. The roundup also noted meetings and gatherings involving ministers Orit Strock, Bezalel Smotrich, and Ofir Sofer with Rabbi Menachem Nachshon in Nof HaGalil, plus a new seminary, “Techelet - Shlomi,” opening next school year under Bat El Kosovski with about 35 already enrolled.