Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau will be celebrating his 79th birthday in less than 3 months – and according to a report by Merkaz Hainyanim newspaper, he declared that when reaches the age of 80, he intends to step down from his position as the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv.

A number of candidates hoping to win the prestigious role of Chief Rabbi are already lining up, but the big question is whether the next chief rabbi will be Ashkenazi or Sephardi.

According to the report, said candidates include Rabbi Yehuda Deri, Chief Rabbi of Beersheva and brother of Interior Minister and head of the Shas party Aryeh Deri, and Rabbi Micha Halevi, Chief Rabbi of Petah Tikva.

Since Tel Aviv is such a large city, one Ashkenzi and one Sephardi rabbis are allowed to serve as co-Chief Rabbis. However, the mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai, has made it clear that only one rabbi will be appointed to lead.