Municipal Rabbis Get 250% Raise
In a struggling economy, the ultra-Orthodox lock in a 250% raise for their own municipal rabbis
25/05/2011 12:30
Tags: Ultra-Orthodox · haredim · rabbis · Hiddush
Inspectors from the Chief Rabbinate checking the kashrut certificate at a stand at the 'Te'amim' festival at the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. 28.03.2011. Photo: Robin Salvadori, Flash 90
Shahar Ilan, deputy director of the Hiddush for Religious Freedom and Equality, said that the municipal rabbis positions existed mainly for political appointments by the ultra-Orthodox parties. "It's not clear what exactly it is that they do and get paid for," he said. "Instead of giving them grand salaries we should cancel the position altogether."
Finance committee chairman Gafni, however, said that the rabbis'
Instead of giving them grand salaries we should cancel the position altogether
salaries were unreasonable and did not allow the new rabbis to sustain themselves.
In the meantime, the fact still remains that the position of municipal rabbi is an issue of political gifts to ultra-Orthodox rabbbis who toe the party line. The state could save a huge amount of money eliminating the positions altogether and not lose a single social or religious benefit.
Read entire article in HaaretzOnline