A seemingly local and insignificant event, the election for the Tel Aviv rabbinate in 1935 had an impact on the future of Jewish life in many ways and places.
The first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv was Rav Shlomo Ahronson. With his passing, three primary candidates arose over the summer of 1935 - Rav Moshe Avigdor Amiel, who was the ultimate winner, Rav Yitzchak Isaac Herzog and Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, at that time a young Rabbi in Boston.
The leaders of the Mizrachi backed Rav Amiel, though Rav Moshe Soloveitchik wrote a strong letter of support on behalf of his son. Rav Soloveitchik made his only visit to the Land of Israel that summer, and met the ailing Rav Kook.
Meanwhile the nascent Tel Aviv based Poalei Agudath Israel was eager to participate in the upcoming elections. Wary of the official Agudah position of non participation with the Zionist establishment, the PAI leadership penned a letter to the Ger Rebbe the Imrei Emes asking his opinion about voting in the election.
The final result ensconced Rav Moshe Avigdor Amiel as the Chief Rabbi. He would go on to have a major impact on religious life in the first Hebrew city.
Subscribe To Our Podcast on:
PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/
Follow us on Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites
You can email Yehuda at yehuda@yehudageberer.com
A Teacher from Slonim: The Nesivos Shalom Part I
From World War to Revolution: Iranian Jewry Part II
Princes of Persia: Iranian Jewry Part I
Chabad & Zionism Part II
Wise Man of Hungary: Rav Yehuda Aszod
A Dazzling Light: The Life & Impact of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
The Czars & The Jews Part I
The Roar of the Lion: The Life of Rav Leib Malin Part I
The Emergence of a Leader: The Life of the Chazon Ish Part III
Iron Yid: The Story of Zishe Breitbart
The Haflaah: The Life & Legacy of Rav Pinchas Horowitz
Come on and Ride the Train: Railroads & Jews
Chabad & Zionism Part I: The Rashab
The Legacy of the Vilna Gaon
Modesty & Majesty: The Tolna Dynasty
Rosh Yeshiva & Rebbe: The Pnei Menachem of Ger
A House Divided: The Partitions of Poland & the Jews
According to Rav Tikochinsky.... The Live of Rav Yechiel Michel Tikochinsky
The Chief Rabbi: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Great American Jewish Cities #19: Boston Part II
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Unpacking Israeli History
Stories Of Hope With Tzipora Grodko
Tablet Studios
Meaningful People
For Heaven’s Sake