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25 Cheshvan 5767 - November 15, 2006 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Betzedek Reverses Education Ministry Threat to Close Yeshiva Ketanoh in North

by Betzalel Kahn

Following a threat by Betzedek to petition the High Court against the Education Ministry, the Education Ministry rescinded its plans to close down a yeshiva ketanoh in Northern Israel by refusing to extend its license, using the argument that the yeshiva has not increased its enrollment.

A new and unanticipated decree fell upon a prominent yeshiva in the North when the Education Ministry denied a routine request to renew the license, saying that the yeshiva has failed to grow after several years of operations and instructing the management to seek alternative study frameworks for all of the students.

After contacting several Education Ministry officials but receiving only negative responses, the yeshiva, fearing the move could be part of a nationwide attempt to reduce the number of yeshivas, sought the help of Betzedek Chairman Atty. Rabbi Mordechai Green. Betzedek proceeded to pursue two courses of action simultaneously: preparing an appeal to the judicial committee and submitting a preliminary High Court appeal against the regrettable decree.

Among its arguments Betzedek claimed that the number of students is not included among the licensing conditions, which by law must be made available for public review. Betzedek also argued that the Education Ministry is only supposed to consider whether the yeshiva's physical environs are in proper condition whereas the enrollment numbers are irrelevant.

The Education Ministry submitted an official response saying that as a result of Betzedek's preliminary appeal a decision was made to renew the yeshiva's license for another year. The Education Ministry also requested that the yeshiva act to increase its enrollment in the future.

Following the timely and positive response Betzedek asked the Education Ministry to extend the yeshiva's license for three years, as in the past, adding that such an extension would give the students and staff a sense of security, thereby contributing to the yeshiva's ability to grow.

 

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