A lawyer has become the first Charedi woman in Israel to be appointed a judge.
The selection of Chavi Toker to the Jerusalem Magistrates’ Court was one of several announced last week by the country’s Judicial Selection Committee, which was also filling vacancies in the Supreme Court.
Israel’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked had previously said it was one of her priorities to appoint a Strictly Orthodox woman as a judge.
The appointment was welcomed by other figures in the country.
“Been informed of the selection of the first female ultra-Orthodox judge in Israel, Chavi Toker,” Israeli President Reuven Rivlin tweeted.
“This is a happy day for her & for the State of Israel as a whole. I am sure she will bring legal skill and knowledge alongside Jewish values and traditions.”
Been informed of the selection of the first female ultra-Orthodox judge in Israel, Chavi Toker. This is a happy day for her & for the State of Israel as a whole. I am sure she will bring legal skill and knowledge alongside Jewish values and traditions. Congratulations.
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) February 22, 2018
Journalist Arik Bender said it was “another step in the way for the full integration of the [Strictly] Orthodox in the life of the state”.
Arutz Sheva reported Ms Toker was raised in the Strictly Orthodox town of Bnei Brak and studied law at Hebrew University before working for the Justice Ministry’s Police Investigations Unit and the office of the Jerusalem District Attorney.
She has four children, the eldest of which is serving in the IDF.