Rabbi Yitzhak Levy to head conversions authority?

Rabbi Yitzhak Levy is the leading candidate to replace Rabbi Haim Druckman as head of the conversions authority, Ynet learned Thursday.

Levy's candidacy is promoted by the locator committee formed to find a replacement for Druckman.  According to a report in Makor Rishon, Levy's in favored by both the Prime Minister's Office's and Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel Shlomo Amar.

A former Knesset member for the National Religious Party (NRP), Levy's candidacy is said to be acceptable to Shas, as well.

According to the report, should the appointment mature, it may be as part of a quid pro quo deal between Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu, struck on the backdrop of the Tzohar bill.

According to the deal, Shas backed the Tzohar bill, which aims to offer an alternative to couples who do not wish to marry through the Chief Rabbinate; while Yisrael Beiteinu pledged to back Shas' bid to extend Rabbi Amar's term.

Following Druckman's retirement, Rabbi Yitzhak Perezt was named the temporary head of the conversions authority. Perezt is a close associate of Rabbi Amar and once served as his aide.

While Levy is considered to be the favorite candidate for the position, source in Shas said there was still a chance that Peretz' temporary appointment would become a permanent one.

Yisrael Beiteinu sources said that Levy is likely to continue with Drukman's liberal doctrine.

Rabbi Levy confirmed that he was approached on the matter, saying: "If the position will be offered formally I will consider it. I still have to learn exactly what the position entails."

Reprinted with permission from Makor Rishon

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