The leading candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race Nir Barkat revealed new information about his past in an effort to snag frum Chassidic voters.
In an interview with Radio Jerusalem, the secular Barkat was asked by the show’s host Menachem Toker which Yeshivos and Chassidic groups he was familiar with.
Barkat answered: “The Chabad Chassidus. Did you know I’m from Chabad descent?”
He added to the surprised host: “My father’s grandfather’s grave says Shneior Zalman, and my father’s name is Zalman.”
Barkat is running against frum candidate and Chabad sympathizer Meir Porush. Latest polls give Barkat a 16% lead over Porush, son of a well-known Yerushalmi family.
Hillary also thought she’d snag J-votes with her claim to Jwish reatives. An actual Chabadnik, now, that’s different: he’ll be likely to follow the Rebbe’s dictum that Halachically one must never give back an inch of any of E”Y – esp J’lem!!!
oiy which perspective would be better a insider or a outsider “only in israel” we have noo clue may g-d help us all
a frum candidate wont be good, he will have his hands tied. the other candidate will be better.
A frum candidate is the only way to ensure the best for the frum people in Yerushalyayim. I hope the people there realize that.
Will he be another Olmert – G-d forbid.
I think we are better off with the frum candidate.
I wonder if it will help with getting frum voters.
Everyone wants to be connected to Chabad!