David Hai Abuhatzeira
Rabbi David Hai Abuhatzeira is the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Nahariya, the head of the Abuhatzeira family, whose courtyard is a focal point for many visitors.
Biography
Born in Tafilalt, Morocco, to Simcha and Rabbi Meir Abuhatzeira, son of Baba Sali. He studied in Morocco at Chabad institutions, and in 1966 he immigrated with his family to Israel, where he studied at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem with Rabbi Shalom Cohen. He was orphaned by his mother at a young age.At the age of 24, he was ordained as a city rabbi, and in 1977, at the age of 25, he was appointed the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Nahariya, becoming the youngest city rabbi to be appointed up to that time. In Nahariya, he founded the "Abir Yaakov" Yeshiva, a secondary yeshiva named after his great-grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira.
Today, there are two yeshivas with this name, one within the framework of a high school yeshiva that belongs to the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva and Ulpan Center network and the other as a small yeshiva, and the Abir Yaakov institutions in the city operating under his auspices also include an elementary school and a comprehensive avrechim, all of which are included together under the "Or Meir Simcha" institutions, named after both of his parents.
After the passing of his grandfather, Baba Sali, in 1944, he resigned from the city rabbinate and began serving as Rebbe. His courtyard is a center of attraction for many visitors.
In 1970, he established the Or Yishram Institute, to publish the writings of the rabbis of the Abuhatzeira family. In 1974, the institute completed the publication of twenty-five books by Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira, and continued to publish additional books. To date, the institute has published hundreds of books.
He founded the Kol Simcha synagogue in Brachsim, named after his mother.
On Shabbat night, Elul 5, 5779, the police arrested a suspect who attempted to attack Rabbi Abuhatzeira. A knife was found on his body during an examination. His brother, Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, was murdered 8 years earlier under similar circumstances.
Political Views
He frequently supports the Shas Party, and even in the elections for the 20th Knesset after the split of the Yachad party, he called on his students to support the Shas party.Personal Life
Married to Ruhama Avelin, née Turgeman, they have nine sons and two daughters.Brother-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira from Ramla.