New Chief Yehuda Avidan Strengthens Israeli Rabbinate with Key Kosher Supervision Appointments

Yehuda Avidan, recently appointed acting CEO of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, has initiated significant measures to reinforce kosher supervision and restore full operational capacity to enforcement units. Among his first actions was appointing Rabbi Avraham Buchbut as acting head of the Foreign Slaughtering Department, a critical division overseeing kosher certification of dozens of slaughterhouses abroad and kosher meat imports to Israel. This department had lacked permanent leadership for over three years. Buchbut, who previously held the position and is recognized for his expertise, was chosen to provide clear managerial direction and ongoing support to slaughter teams and importers. Notably, Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar had previously requested Buchbut’s reinstatement, but the request was not fulfilled until now.

In addition, Avidan restored full computer and information system access to Rabbi Rafi Yohai, head of the National Unit for Enforcement of the Prohibition of Fraud in Kosher Certification. Restrictions imposed during the tenure of the previous CEO, Yehuda Cohen, on the work of the Rabbinate’s inspectors were lifted, enabling them to resume regular field inspections, engage with local rabbinate offices, and address suspected kosher fraud cases. These reforms follow a period of internal tension within the Chief Rabbinate, marked by disagreements between Cohen and Chief Rabbi Bar over kosher policy decision-making. Despite these changes, the National Kosher Supervision Department and the Import Division remain without permanent leadership after several years.