Turkey’s Jewish community installs David Sevi as chief rabbi

Turkey’s Jewish community has recognized David Sevi as its new chief rabbi, nearly a year after the death of longtime leader Ishak Haleva.

Sevi, 70, was officially installed into the position on Thursday at a ceremony at Istanbul’s Neve Shalom synagogue, after serving as the country’s acting chief rabbi since Haleva died in January. According to Hebrew media reports, he was elected unanimously in September in an internal vote with no opposing candidates.

Sevi becomes the fourth hakham bashi since the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Born into a family with deep roots in Turkey, Sevi has worked for decades to promote Jewish education and preserve the traditions of the country’s dwindling Jewish community. He previously served as a shochet, or ritual slaughterer, and as hazzan, or cantor, at Neve Shalom.

Turkey, a Muslim-majority country whose relationship with Israel has often been tumultuous, has a Jewish population of approximately 15,000.

We wish the newly installed Chief Rabbi of Turkiye Hahambaşı Rav David Sevi and the entire Jewish Community much success on the occasion of this historic installation at the Neve Şalom synagogue. @tyahuditoplumu pic.twitter.com/SXklcLJLoy

— Alliance Rabbis Islamic States (@RabbisAlliance) December 4, 2025