The Orthodox Union offers words of congratulations and encouragement to Rabbi Aryeh Stern and Rabbi Shlomo Amar on their election to the position of Chief Ashkenazic and Chief Sephardic Rabbis of Jerusalem. The Orthodox Union has always enjoyed a close working relationship with the Israeli rabbinate on the national and local levels, and takes great interest in the election of Jewish religious leaders of the Ir Ha’Kodesh, where the Seymour J. Abrams Jerusalem World Center, known as the OU Israel Center, is based.
We wish both Chief Rabbis well, and express our willingness to cooperate closely with them as they strive to educate all of our people in the essential values of our Torah. We are confident that they will bring their considerable talents to bear on resolving the pressing challenges which confront our people. We look forward to their tenure with great hope and eagerly anticipate working closely with them in achieving the glorious visions of peace, brotherhood and authentic spirituality which have been heard for millennia within the walls of Yerushalayim. We pray that the Almighty will illuminate their path with His light and inspire them with His truth.
Martin Nachimson, President
Allen Fagin, Executive Vice President
Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director, OU Israel