Rabbi Yoel's power base grew with the years. In 1911, he received his first rabbinical post as chief rabbi of Ilosva. In 1921, the northeastern regions of Hungary, which were densely populated with Orthodox Jews, were ceded to Czechoslovakia and Romania, under the terms of the Treaty of Trianon. Many Sziget Hasidim, unable to regularly visit Rabbi Chaim Tzvi's court, turned to Rabbi Yoel instead. In 1925, Rabbi Yoel was appointed chief rabbi of Nagykároly. On 21 January 1926, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi died unexpectedly, leaving his twelve-year-old son Yekusiel Yehuda Teitelbaum (II) to succeed him. His mother emphasized Rabbi Yoel as successor, her grandson being too young for the position, but Rabbi Chaim Tzvi's followers would only accept Rabbi Yoel (who was highly regarded, but barely liked there) as a trustee-leader until Yekusiel became old enough. Under these conditions, Rabbi Yoel would have become the dynasty's head in all but name, which was nevertheless unacceptable for him and his mother, and they left Sziget again. In 1928, Rabbi Yoel was elected as chief rabbi of Szatmárnémeti itself. The appointment resulted in bitter strife within the Jewish community, and he only accepted the post in 1934.