Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Kalman Ber

Female candidates take a rabbinical test administered by the Chief Rabbinate at the Religious Services Ministry in Jerusalem on April 27, 2026. (Chief Rabbinate)
May 25, 2026, 5:12 pm
Chief Rabbinate scraps session of rabbinical tests required to be open to women
Modern Orthodox rabbi says decision ‘sends a deeply troubling message’; Rabbinate spokesperson claims test will be administered in the fall
By Rossella Tercatin
An ultra-Orthodox Jew walks past Belgian soldiers as they patrol during religious services in Antwerp, Belgium January 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
May 6, 2026, 9:45 pm
Belgium indicts 3 Jewish mohels, sparking diplomatic spat with Israel and US
After Sa’ar accuses Antwerp of antisemitism, his Belgian counterpart claims probe was initiated by representatives of Jewish community in country where only doctors allowed to perform medical procedures
By Zev Stub, Lazar Berman and Rossella Tercatin
Jews read the Megillat Esther (the Book of Esther) on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in Katzrin, northern Israel, on March 13, 2025. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
March 2, 2026, 4:44 pm
From Zoom megillahs to sirens during reading, all you need to know about Purim at war
In light of the emergency situation, Israel’s Home Front Command has banned public gatherings, including recitations of the Book of Esther. Leading rabbis weigh in on how to celebrate
By Rossella Tercatin
A boy celebrates his bar mitzvah on the egalitarian Ezrat Israel plaza near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel on June 19, 2023. (Courtesy of the Masorti Movement in Israel)
February 17, 2026, 8:21 am
High Court to hold hearing on Western Wall egalitarian services for first time in years
Liberal Jewish groups seek to ensure full rights for egalitarian prayers despite ultra-Orthodox opposition, long after government nixed compromise on the matter
By Rossella Tercatin
Rabbanit Sarah Segal-Katz (center) one of the female Torah scholars who has petitioned the High Court of Justice to be allowed to take the rabbinical tests administered by the Chief Rabbinate. (Ayelet Landau/Gluya Magazine)
February 11, 2026, 10:29 pm
Following years of legal battles, Chief Rabbinate opens rabbinical tests to women
Petitioners who first asked the High Court of Justice to intervene in 2019 hail the move, but the Rabbinate also announces it will conduct a comprehensive reform of the system
By Rossella Tercatin
Twin Israeli brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, who were set free by Hamas earlier this week after being held hostage for more than two years, arrive home in the southern Israeli kibbutz of Beit Guvrin from hospital on October 19, 2025. (FADEL SENNA / AFP)
October 19, 2025, 4:14 pm
Seven released hostages leave hospital, receive rapturous welcome in hometowns
Cunio brothers speak of ‘new lives;’ Yavne streets fill for David Cunio; Berman twins swamped; Maxim Herkin urges unity, Elkana Bohbot signals heart; Yosef-Haim Ohana home at last
By Diana Bletter and Jessica Steinberg
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber in his office in Jerusalem on July 22, 2025. (Rossella Tercatin/Times of Israel)
August 1, 2025, 4:15 pm
In a polarized time, new chief rabbi envisions revamped Rabbinate with a wide embrace
From the Haredi draft to marriage and kashrut, top Ashkenazi cleric Kalman Ber says he believes love, unity and quiet action — rather than public fights — are key to lasting change
By Rossella Tercatin
Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, in Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
July 17, 2025, 4:53 pm
Prominent Israeli rabbis back intervention in Syria on behalf of Druze
Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber and Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu issue statements stressing the bond between Israel and the Druze, describe assisting them as a moral duty
By Rossella Tercatin and Agencies
Rabbi Kalman Ber attends a vote for the new Chief Ashkenazi rabbi, at the Chief Rabbinate headquarters in Jerusalem, October 31, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 13, 2025, 1:50 pm
Chief rabbis call on public to adhere to IDF guidelines, stay home from synagogues
Shas party’s ruling Council of Torah Sages calls on Israelis to pray and for yeshiva students to increase their Torah study, without specifying if people should adhere to rules
By Rossella Tercatin and Sam Sokol
Rabbi Kalman Ber attends a vote for the new Chief Ashkenazi rabbi, at the Chief Rabbinate headquarters in Jerusalem, October 31, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 31, 2024, 8:02 pm
Ultra-Orthodox-backed Kalman Ber chosen as Ashkenazi chief rabbi in runoff
Top Netanya cleric beats out Rabbi Micha Halevi, who drew anger from religious Zionists by reneging on promise to stay out of race, after initial balloting ended in tie
By Mati Wagner and ToI Staff
Committee members at the elections for Israel's new chief rabbis in Jerusalem, September 29, 2024. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
October 30, 2024, 4:10 pm
Divisive, long-delayed election for chief rabbi to proceed Thursday
Over a year late, the vote for Israel’s top Ashkenazi authority seems to be on track amid political strife and broken commitments
By Mati Wagner
Election envelopes at the elections for Israel's new chief rabbis in Jerusalem, September 29, 2024. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
October 8, 2024, 6:00 pm
Following inconclusive vote, AG demands second round in chief rabbi election
Call for runoff comes after a single miscast ballot left rabbis Micha Halevi and Kalman Ber with 40 votes apiece in last Sunday’s Chief Rabbinical election
By Sam Sokol
Son of late Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rabbi David Yosef, leaves after giving a Torah lesson during a visit to Safed, November 16, 2017. (David Cohen/Flash90)
September 29, 2024, 11:48 pm
David Yosef elected as Sephardic chief rabbi, the third from his family in the role
Second round for Ashkenazi chief rabbi to be held next week, following tied vote; election held after disagreements and competing political deals kept positions vacant since July
By Gavriel Fiske
Ballots are seen at the elections for Israel's new chief rabbis in Jerusalem, September 29, 2024. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
September 29, 2024, 5:01 pm
Election underway for new chief rabbis, after repeated delays and political deals
Results to be announced Sunday evening; election of Ashkenazi and Sephardi religious leaders for 10-year term comes after disagreements kept roles vacant since July
By Gavriel Fiske
Israel's Ashkenazi former chief rabbi David Lau, right, and Israel's Sephardi former chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef attend an event at a ceremony in Jerusalem, June 30, 2023. (The Chief Rabbinate of Israel)
July 5, 2024, 9:17 pm
A fight over women’s representation leaves Israel’s Jews without chief rabbis
The Justice Ministry’s demand that the rabbinate consider women for a position traditionally reserved for rabbis is key to the delay in succession for the first time in over a century
By Canaan Lidor
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.