The Religious Council is the forum in which decisions regarding religious life are made and religious services are provided within every jurisdiction.
The main services include: marriage registration, operation of ritual baths and their supervision, kosher certifications, burial, and Torah culture.
In 2017, the Legal Advisor to the Government ruled that at least a quarter of council members must be women. For nearly a decade, Kolech has been promoting and supporting women serving as council members, from candidacy through their tenure, including training, lobbying, and consultation. Kolech encourages women to run for and serve on Religious Councils and conducts advocacy on social networks and in the media.
In 2022, Minister of Religious Services Matan Kahana decided to appoint professional delegates to religious councils in areas lacking their establishment. As part of his initiative to promote women in leadership roles within the religious sector, he set a precedent by allowing for more women to be appointed to head councils and serve in leadership positions, marking a significant milestone. The active involvement of socially engaged, professional, or women knowledgeable in Jewish law has significantly shaped the council’s character, enhancing their presence and influence in decision-making which affects all residents served by religious institutions.
