October 21, 2014, Jerusalem- Elections for the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem were held today after an eleven-year hiatus. Although leaders of the Reform Movement reject the idea of a Chief Rabbi in general, they were particularly concerned that Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Safed, known for his racist incitement against Israeli Arabs, could win the seat. Following vigorous efforts by Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) and other partners, Rabbi Eliyahu was defeated tonight by a landslide.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director of the IMPJ stated, "The only positive outcome of the election tonight is that known racist Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu did not win. This failure is a testament that the Israeli public rejects racist incitement. We will continue to advocate for religious pluralism, tolerance, and a shared future in Jerusalem and we call on the authorities who declared Rabbi Eliyahu unfit to serve as Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem to end his term as Chief Rabbi of Safed."
Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Jacobs stated, "The outcome of the vote for Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem is a vote against racism and division, though there is still much to be done. Our tradition teaches us to love our God with arms outstretched and there is no city where that dictum should live more than in the holy city of Jerusalem."