Tzfas Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita absented himself from a Memorial Day ceremony after learning there would be a female vocalist. The ceremony was held in a Tzfas school on Wednesday 3 Iyar, Memorial Day. The rav was supposed to have been the central speaker at the event.

Some of the bereaved families were angered by the rav’s actions, explaining he is a civil servant and must act as such. Tzfas City Halls officials’ explained on such a day they prefer to unite with the bereaved families. Some senior City Hall officials stated they are furious over the rabbi’s decision.

Officials responding for Rabbi Eliyahu explained organizers of the event at Beit Yigal Alon were insensitive to the rabbi’s needs and the religious sensitivities of the Orthodox community. They point out the rabbi several weeks before the ceremony requested not to have a female vocalist but organizers decided to ignore that request.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)