Rabbi Yair Hadaya Officially Appointed Chief Rabbi of Eilat in Ceremony with Israel's Chief Rabbis

Rabbi Yair Hadaya was officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of Eilat in a ceremony attended by Israel's Chief Rabbis, local rabbis, public figures, and city officials. The event took place on Tuesday evening, where Rabbi Hadaya received ritual objects marking his new role. Among the dignitaries present were Chief Rabbis David Yosef and Kalman Meir Bar, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, and Yehuda Avidan, CEO of the Ministry of Religious Services and acting CEO of the Chief Rabbinate. The mayor of Eilat and various rabbis and community leaders also participated.

Rabbi David Yosef praised Rabbi Hadaya as a great Torah scholar and emphasized the need for strong religious leadership in Eilat, a city with a diverse population including permanent residents and visitors from across Israel and the world. Yosef highlighted the importance of warmth, love for people, and the ability to bring every Jew closer to Torah and Jewish tradition. He expressed confidence that Rabbi Hadaya would faithfully carry the responsibilities of the rabbinate, increase Torah study, and strengthen the city's spiritual foundation.

Rabbi Kalman Bar described the appointment as significant for Eilat and the region, noting the city's diversity and its role as a gateway to Israel. He stressed that the rabbi must connect with all segments of the population and help individuals find their personal spiritual path, while also addressing practical communal needs. Rabbi Bar expressed certainty that Rabbi Hadaya, educated in prominent Torah institutions, would serve as a unifying figure for residents and millions of tourists.

Yehuda Avidan remarked that the appointment reflects the community's desire for broad spiritual leadership. He noted that although Eilat is not a Haredi city, its residents seek connection to tradition and Torah. The decision to appoint an additional Sephardic city rabbi alongside the incumbent was made to provide comprehensive religious guidance tailored to the entire population.