KIEV, Oct. 24 ??” The election last month of Moshe Reuven Azman as chief rabbi of Ukraine has apparently divided the country??™s Jewish population and caused a political uproar to boot.

According to a report by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, critics of the Sept. 11 vote ??” who include most of the country??™s rabbis and dozens of secular activists ??” said Azman??™s election as Ukraine??™s chief rabbi was primarily intended to increase media magnate Vadim Rabinovich??™s influence over President Viktor Yuschenko.