Ministry of Religious Services
Israeli-media coverage mentioning Ministry of Religious Services, translated into English and compared across sources. 48 recent stories.
Ukrainian Minister Coordinates With Israeli Officials to Support Breslov Hasidim's Pilgrimage to Uman
Ukraine's Minister for Religious Affairs, Victor Yelensky, coordinated with Israeli officials and Uman's chief rabbi to support the safe pilgrimage of tens of thousands of Breslov…
Israeli Religious Services Ministry Limits Kashrut Certification to Local Jurisdictions
Israel's Ministry of Religious Services has mandated that kosher certification can only be granted by rabbis within their official jurisdictions, following a recent legal amendmen…
Boxer Ahavat Hashem Gordon Marries Amid New Rabbinical Guidelines on Ketubah Amounts
Israeli boxer Ahavat Hashem Gordon married in Hadera under new Chief Rabbinate rules clarifying ketubah amounts, explained by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Freiman before the ceremony.
Israeli Supreme Court Blocks Most Ultra-Orthodox Funding, Releases 78 Million Shekels for Religious Services
The Israeli Supreme Court upheld a freeze on hundreds of millions of shekels allocated to ultra-Orthodox institutions but allowed 78 million shekels for religious services to be r…
Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Budget Freeze for Religious Services Ministry, Averting Closure of 125 Holy Sites
The Israeli Supreme Court temporarily lifted a budget freeze on the Ministry of Religious Services after its director warned that 125 holy sites would close without funding. The d…
125 Religious Sites Including Cave of the Patriarchs Face Closure Due to Budget Freeze
The Ministry of Religious Services warns that 125 religious sites, including major holy places like the Cave of the Patriarchs, will close from Sunday due to a coalition budget fr…
Rabbi Yaakov Rozha Launches Monumental Book on Jewish Burial Practices in Tel Aviv
Rabbi Yaakov Rozha, a leading figure in Jewish burial and halachic authority, launched his comprehensive book on burial practices in Tel Aviv. The event gathered hundreds of relig…
Israeli Religious Services Ministry Orders Preparation to Close Cave of the Patriarchs Amid Budget Freeze
The Israeli Ministry of Religious Services has ordered preparations to close the Cave of the Patriarchs within two weeks due to a Supreme Court freeze on budget transfers, leaving…
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 and local officials. The appointment highlights the city's d…
Kiryat Yearim Moves Women’s Mikveh Operation from Religious Council to Local Municipality, Raising National Concerns
Kiryat Yearim is transferring the operation of its women's mikveh from the Religious Council to the local municipality, under ministry supervision. This rare move, initiated by th…
Rabbi Erez Elharar Officially Appointed Chief Rabbi of Hod Hasharon in Historic Ceremony
Rabbi Erez Elharar was officially appointed as the Chief Rabbi of Hod Hasharon in a historic ceremony attended by Israel’s top rabbis and city officials. The event highlighted his…
Police Disperse Protesters at Rabbi Erez Elharar's Installation Ceremony in Hod Hasharon
During Rabbi Erez Elharar's installation as Hod Hasharon's chief rabbi, protesters outside the venue were dispersed by police after attempting to disrupt the event. The ceremony c…
Israeli Parliament Seeks High Court Rejection of Petition Against Controversial 462 Million Shekel Budget Transfers During Election Recess
The Israeli Knesset has asked the Supreme Court to reject a petition against the approval of 462 million shekels in coalition funds during the election recess, arguing the meeting…
Budget Crisis Threatens Operation of Israel's Holy Sites Ahead of High Holidays
Israel faces a budget crisis threatening the operation of holy sites, including Meron, ahead of the High Holidays. Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch warned of life-threatening risks and th…
Shas Extends Tenure of City Rabbis, Enabling Decades-Long Appointments with High Salaries
Shas has changed the rules for appointing city rabbis in Israel, enabling them to serve for decades with high salaries. The average tenure is now over 35 years, with some rabbis e…
Israel to Close Holy Sites to Visitors Ahead of High Holidays Due to Budget Freeze
Israel's Ministry of Religious Services will close all holy sites to visitors at the end of August due to a Supreme Court freeze on budget transfers. This closure affects key reli…
Israeli Religious Authorities Warn Against False Marriage Registration Claims
The Israeli Ministry of Religious Services and Chief Rabbinate warn the public against false claims by the group "Anachnu Techelet" about cooperating on marriage registration, cla…
Local Government Appeals Supreme Court Order Freezing Budget Transfers to Municipalities
The Center for Local Government has appealed to Israel's Supreme Court to lift a freeze on budget transfers for summer schools and development projects, warning delays could cause…
Rabbinical Courts Face Forced Shutdown Sunday Over Frozen Government Funds
Israel's rabbinical courts are set to shut down Sunday after the Supreme Court blocked 18 million shekels in government payments, risking a repeat of Microsoft system shutdowns du…
Supreme Court Judge Halts Controversial Budget Transfers During Israeli Election Campaign
Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein temporarily froze hundreds of millions of shekels in budget transfers approved during Israel's election campaign, citing procedural flaws. The fun…
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana Bypasses Opposition to Approve Controversial Budget Transfers to Haredi and Settlement Institutions
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invoked an emergency clause to convene the Finance Committee during recess, enabling approval of controversial budget transfers totaling nearly 500 mill…
Jerusalem Court Orders Disclosure of Qualifications of Religious Council Leaders
The Jerusalem District Court ordered the Ministry of Religious Services to disclose the qualifications of religious council leaders, rejecting privacy claims and emphasizing publi…
Israeli Court Questions Validity of Emanuel City Rabbi Election, Suggests Re-Vote
An Israeli court criticized the election process for Emanuel's city rabbi, citing improper publication timing, and suggested a re-vote. The Ministry of Religious Services rejected…
Tensions Rise as Funding for Haredi Education Stalls Amid Coalition Dispute
Moshe Gafni of Degel HaTorah accused Shas and Aryeh Deri of blocking funds for Haredi education tied to a deal with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Shas denied the claims, blam…
Yehuda Avidan Appointed Acting CEO of Chief Rabbinate Amid Ongoing Investigation
Yehuda Avidan was named acting CEO of Israel's Chief Rabbinate despite an ongoing investigation into allegations of fraud and threats. His appointment followed official approvals…
Israeli NGO Challenges Rabbinical Authority Over Military Service and Certification Rules
The NGO Atim petitioned Israel's Supreme Court against the Chief Rabbinate for recognizing rabbinical study years completed without proper military service status, demanding updat…
Israeli NGO Petitions Supreme Court to Bar Draft Dodgers from Rabbinical Certification Exams
The Israeli NGO Atim petitioned the Supreme Court to require proof of military service status for rabbinical exam candidates, aiming to exclude draft dodgers. They argue that reco…
Israeli Religious Affairs Ministry Halts City Rabbi Elections Due to Early Knesset Vote
Early Knesset elections have paused all city and local rabbi appointments in Israel, including in Ra'anana where Rabbi Avichai Katzin was the leading candidate. The delay may impa…
Tahara Mikveh 'Or Atiyas' Opens in Safed 14 Years After Tragic Family Accident
A new tahara mikveh named "Or Atiyas" was inaugurated in Safed to honor the memory of Rafi and Yehudit Atiyas and their six children, who died in a car accident 14 years ago. The…
Tel Aviv Funds Religious Services in Ultra-Orthodox Cities Despite Large Budget Surpluses
The Knesset approved transferring funds from secular cities like Tel Aviv to religious councils in ultra-Orthodox cities, despite these councils holding large budget surpluses. Th…
Legal Advisor Blocks Ra'anana Chief Rabbi Election Ahead of Knesset Vote
Israel's Ministry of Religious Services legal advisor has ruled that Ra'anana's chief rabbi election cannot take place during the Knesset election period, delaying the appointment…
Defense Minister Israel Katz Vows Strong Response to Iran During ZAKA Visit
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited ZAKA's national logistics center amid heightened tensions with Iran, pledging a strong Israeli response to any Iranian attack. He part…
Rabbi Lebanon Hails New Kashrut Law as Revolutionary for Israel
Rabbi Elyakim Lebanon praised the Israeli Knesset's approval of a new Kashrut law, calling it a major achievement after over a decade of effort. He thanked key officials involved…
European Rabbinical Wives Convene in Munich for Emergency Leadership Training Amid Rising Antisemitism
Dozens of rabbinical wives from Europe, Israel, and the US met in Munich for leadership training to address rising antisemitism and community insecurity. The conference included w…
Ariel Council Member Oren Hazan Criticizes Process for Appointing City Rabbi
Ariel city council member Oren Hazan opposes the current process for appointing the city rabbi, criticizing it for lacking transparency and proper representation. He supports appo…
Givat Shmuel City Council Delays Rabbi Selection Due to Need for In-Person Meeting
Givat Shmuel municipality cannot hold a phone city council meeting, delaying the city rabbi selection until after the Knesset elections. The city requests the Ministry of Religiou…
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Denies Current Ties to Hotem Amid Controversy
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel addressed multiple religious and social issues in an interview, denying current ties to the Hotem organization amid controversy. He criticized the Chief Rabbina…
Israeli Kashrut Law Overhaul Establishes Uniform Standards and Transparency
Israel has passed a new kashrut law establishing uniform kosher certification standards, transparency, digitization, and an appeals process. Led by Knesset member Ohad Tal with Fi…
Israeli Butchers File Supreme Court Petition Over Stalled Slaughterhouse Certification Process
The Association of Slaughterers and Inspectors in Israel has petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the Chief Rabbinate to resume practical certification exams for kosher slaughte…
New Mikveh Dedicated to Fallen IDF Observer Aviv Margalit Hajaj in Gaza Envelope
A new mikveh named after fallen IDF observer Aviv Margalit Hajaj was opened in the Gaza Envelope, honoring her memory and legacy. The project involved multiple organizations and i…
Israeli Ministry of Religious Services Opens Central Emergency Facility for Handling Casualties
The Israeli Ministry of Religious Services opened a new central emergency warehouse to handle casualties during crises, enhancing rapid response and coordination nationwide. The f…
Ariel Mayor Criticizes Political Delay in Appointing City Rabbi
Ariel Mayor Ya'ir Shitbon condemned the political delay by the Ministry of Religious Services in appointing a city rabbi, despite Ariel completing all required steps. He accused M…
Religious Zionism Party Leaves Givat Shmuel Municipal Coalition Over Rabbi Appointment and Yeshiva Dispute
Raz Schreiber left Givat Shmuel's municipal coalition over disputes about appointing a city rabbi and ending the contract with Bnei Akiva yeshiva, citing irreconcilable difference…
Religious Zionism Conditions Support on Rabbi Avichai Katzin's Appointment in Ra'anana
Religious Zionism has conditioned its support for kosher certification legislation on appointing Rabbi Avichai Katzin as Ra'anana's chief rabbi, with elections set for August 24.
Committee to Convene Next Week to Select New Rabbi for Ra'anana
The Ministry of Religious Services will convene a committee this Sunday to set a date for selecting Ra'anana's new city rabbi, with Rabbi Avichai Katzin as the leading candidate a…
Chief Rabbi's CEO Insists Kashrut License for Tzohar Remains Valid Amid Controversy
Yehuda Cohen, CEO of the Chief Rabbinate, insists the kosher certification license he granted to Tzohar remains valid despite legal and institutional challenges. The Rabbinate's l…
Israeli Supreme Court Upholds Election of Chief Rabbi of Harish, Rejects Petition
The Israeli Supreme Court dismissed a late petition against the election of Rabbi Asher Zigdon as Harish's first chief rabbi, confirming his appointment and ordering petitioners t…
Israeli Religious Services Ministry Urges Swift Appointment of Givat Shmuel City Rabbi
The Israeli Ministry of Religious Services has called on Givat Shmuel's municipality to urgently complete the selection of the city rabbi, citing legal issues with current candida…
