Yaakov Ariel
Israeli religious Zionist rabbi
Yaakov Ariel is a prominent Israeli religious Zionist rabbi, having held various esteemed positions within the Jewish community. Notably, he served as the chief rabbi of Ramat Gan, a city in Israel, and was a cofounder of Gush Emunim, an organization known for its ultranationalist stance. Additionally, Ariel played a significant role in the educational sphere, serving as a rosh yeshiva in the Israeli settlement of Yamit in the Sinai Peninsula until its evacuation in 1982.
Ariel's extensive career in religious leadership also includes his tenure as the rabbi of Kfar Maimon, a position he held for approximately 25 years. Currently, he serves as the president of the Ramat Gan Yeshiva, a prestigious institution of Jewish learning. The yeshiva is led by esteemed roshei yeshiva, including rabbis Yehoshua Shapira and Ben-Tzion Moshe Elgazi. Through his various roles, Yaakov Ariel has established himself as a respected figure within the Israeli religious Zionist community.