Yizhar Hess, head of the Conservative movement in Israel, has estimated that the Chief Rabbinate receives more than $1bn a year from the state budget to administer its religious schools, courts and local rabbinical councils.
Last year a group of Orthodox rabbis, led by David Stav, set up an alternative conversion court. Although its conversions are not recognized, the fact that the move has come from within the Orthodox community is seen as a major challenge to the rabbinate's historic monopoly.
In a sign of the high stakes involved, police have issued Stav with bodyguards after he received death threats.
Farber said the rabbinate was facing a "revolt" not only from seculars and progressive Jewish movements but also from within its own ranks.
Persico agreed. "The rabbinate is stubborn and unwilling to change. Ultimately, that will quicken its demise."
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