Even after the ultra-orthodox and religious parties returned to control the conversion system, with the establishment of the government, the Torah Judaism and religious Zionist parties were unable to agree on the identity of the people who would head it, and therefore the appointment of the appointees was delayed for a long time. The recently reached compromise is expected to regulate the activities of the array.
At the beginning of January, the appointments of the head of the conversion system, Rabbi Benyaho Bruner, and of his director, Yochai Ravivo, expired. In place of Bruner, Minister Smotrich’s candidate, Rabbi Yehuda Amichai of Kiryat Arba, head of the Torah and Haaretz Institute, a judge in conversion courts and a member of the leadership of the Hutam organization, was appointed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the appointment.
However, the ultra-orthodox parties demanded that Rabbi Moshe Weller, a close associate of Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Lau, who held the position before Rabbi Brunner and is considered more strict than him, be reinstated as head of the formation.
The conflict was resolved following the involvement of the Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fox, and the parties agreed that Rabbi Amichai would serve as the head of the conversion system while Rabbi Weller would be the manager of the system.
However, Rabbi Amichai’s appointment is defined as filling a position only, and his tenure will be in effect until the permanent appointment committee is convened. Political parties fear that the conflict may develop in the coming months, when it will be necessary to decide whether to extend Rabbi Amichai’s term or appoint another candidate.
In the coalition agreement between religious Zionism and Likud, it is stated that the government will work to increase activity in the area of conversion and to expand the state conversion system. According to sources involved in the talks that have taken place in recent months, despite the agreements reached in the appointment sector, the large differences in approach between the two rabbis are expected to cause constant debate. While the ultra-orthodox parties seek to toughen the halachic policy of the courts, religious Zionists seek to promote a more liberal and lenient policy, which will open the door to the many who wish to be considered Jews in the eyes of the Chief Rabbinate.
