May 26, 2015

The International Rabbinic Fellowship, an Orthodox Rabbinic Organization with over 170 members is appalled and alarmed by the media reports stating that the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel is threatening to refuse renewal of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin’s appointment as Chief Rabbi of Efrat, which has been standard practice.

At a time when American Jewish communities of all denominations are growing increasingly pessimistic about the rigidity and narrowness of the Rabbinate and its policies, Rabbi Riskin remains one of the reasons to be hopeful that a more inclusive and humane approach to halacha is still possible in the official State rabbinate. The IRF stands with Rabbi Riskin and the people of Efrat. We strongly encourage the Chief Rabbinate to endorse Rabbi Riskin's continued service as the Chief Rabbi of Efrat.