In a grand ceremony attended by Rabbonim, government ministers, and public figures, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Nachshon was officially installed as the new Mara D’asra and Rov of Nof HaGalil. The historic event highlighted the Rebbe’s enduring brachos for the city and the continuous expansion of Lubavitcher leadership across Eretz Yisroel.

A product of Chabad yeshivos, Rabbi Nachshon is a graduate of Tomchei Temimim in Migdal HaEmek and Central Tomchei Temimim at 770 in Crown Heights. Prior to his decisive election victory last month, where he secured an overwhelming majority of 29 votes from the electoral body, he had been serving with dedication as the Rosh Yeshiva of the local Chabad Yeshiva in Nof HaGalil.

The hachtara opened with kapitlach of Tehillim led by the Rov of Kiryat Ata, Rabbi Chaim Shlomo Diskin.

The Rishon LeZion and Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Dovid Yosef, delivered a keynote address praising the immense spiritual and material development of Nof HaGalil in recent years. Emphasizing the significance of this new rabbinic appointment for the city’s flourishing Yiddishkeit, Rabbi Yosef formally signed the official letter of appointment.

At the climax of the ceremony, Rabbi Nachshon donned a new tallis and recited the bracha of Shehecheyanu, accompanied by powerful blasts of shofars echoing through the hall.

The event drew high-profile government figures, underscoring the importance of the appointment. Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Religious Services, Yariv Levin, expressed his awe at the city’s unprecedented growth. “It is impossible not to be moved by the revolution seen here, and surpassing all of this is the election of the Rov of the city,” he declared.

Delivering a resounding endorsement of Chabad’s approach, Levin added, “In these times, we are commanded to do everything in our power to strengthen our Jewish character and heritage. There is no one more suitable for this role than a Chabad Chassid, who lives the Rebbe’s shlichus.”

Adding to these sentiments, MK Michael Malkieli, who played a significant role in the election process, quoted the pasuk about the menorah and compared it to the new Mara D’asra. “He is one person who represents all the citizens, and he spreads Yiddishkeit in a pleasant manner,” Malkieli remarked.

Nof HaGalil’s Mayor, Ronen Plot, spoke with visible emotion about the diverse array of Rabbonim and community leaders gathered in unity. “It is moving to see the Rabbonim from all the communities together,” he said, using the platform to encourage further Haredi migration to the city and announcing that 20,000 additional residents are expected to move to the Har Yona neighborhood. Welcoming the new Rav, Plot promised his full partnership, telling him, “Whatever help you need, you will receive.”

The crowd also heard from the Rav’s father, Rabbi Dovid Nachshon, Chairman of Chabad Institutions in Nof HaGalil. He thanked all those who assisted in his son’s election and proudly recalled the Rebbe’s prophetic bracha that the city would be an Ir V’Em B’Yisroel.

In his inaugural address, the new Mara D’asra, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Nachshon, acknowledged the heavy responsibility now placed upon his shoulders. True to his Chabad roots, he pledged to dedicate his leadership to unity, promising to care for every single resident and to strengthen Yiddishkeit strictly through the channels of Ahavas Yisroel.

Photos: Arthur Rozengurt