Rav Kalman Ber has been chosen as Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi for the upcoming decade. In the second voting round, he secured a 77-58 victory over Rav Micha Halevi, after an initial election earlier this month left both candidates with an equal number of votes.

Previously, Rav Ber held the position of Ashkenazi city rabbi in Netanya. He received strong backing from the Degel HaTorah party.

After the first voting round, Rav Ber gained additional support from those who opposed Rav Halevi. Rav Halevi had initially committed to refraining from running unless selected by a designated committee to represent the Religious Zionist community.

Rav Halevi garnered support from Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party and Shas.

Rav Dovid Yosef, elected earlier in the month, will serve as the Sephardic chief rabbi alongside Rav Ber for the next 10 years.

{Matzav.com Israel}