Lubavitcher Chossid Elected Mayor of Israeli City

Rabbi Chaim Shteiner. Photo: Shturem.

Rabbi Chaim Shteiner, a Lubavitcher Chossid from the Nachlat Har Chabad neighborhood in Kiryat Malachi, was elected mayor of that city after former mayor Otto Malka was arrested for corruption.

This is the first time in Israeli history that a Chabadnik has become mayor of a city.

Kiryat Malachi is a very diverse city, with large numbers of religious and non-religious residents, who don’t always see eye to eye.

Mr. Malka, under whom Rabbi Shteiner served as deputy mayor, was a vocal opponent of the religious community, and committed much effort to discouraging more religious people from moving to the city.

In a surprising turn of events, the city council chose Rabbi Shteiner to replace the mayor over his non-religious rival, Mr. Boris Borochov.

Rabbi Shteiner promised that his doors will be open for all residents of Kiryat Malachi, regardless of their background or affiliation, to come and seek his assistance.

This development comes shortly after Rabbi Y.Y. Yeruslavsky, member of Vaad Rabbonei Chabad in Israel, was appointed as chief rabbi of the city.

3 Comments

  • Is this good for the Jews?

    What are his qualifications? I hope he doesn’t mess up big time.

  • ch resident

    to #1= what qualifications does he need to be mayor of a town like kiryat malachai. what qualifications do the mayors of small towns out in the midwest have. its not tel aviv or nyc. dont be jealous. I say good luck to him

  • Why?

    Why is the fellow on the right side of the picture smoking a cigarettes? when young people see this, they feel that it is not taboo to smoke, make unwise choices and remain addicted for life. Movies in the US are rated as “restricted” for smoking. and our youth are exposed to this?