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NEWS
Search for Two Missing; Efforts to Prevent Kidnappings
by Betzalel Kahn A public furor has erupted over Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's unprecedented criticism of halachic conversion as practiced in the State of Israel. At a government meeting last week Sharon said the State should "stop getting involved in the converts' personal lives" and announced he intends to initiate reform in every area of conversion, including "not forcing converts to keep mitzvos and a Jewish way of life." Finance Committee Approves Transfer of only Two-Thirds of Chareidi Cultural Funding by Eliezer Rauchberger The Knesset Finance Committee voted unanimously last week to transfer NIS 36.037 million ($8 million)--two-thirds of the total amount budgeted for 2003--to the Education Ministry for chareidi cultural organizations, which work to provide Torah shiurim and lectures. Jerusalem Launches Campaign for Chareidi Tourismby Betzalel Kahn Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky launched a tourism campaign last week aimed at the chareidi sector with the cooperation of the City of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Hotel Association and the Ministry of Tourism. CBS Reports Significant Increase in Chareidi Population Centersby Betzalel Kahn Chareidi population centers such as Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Modi'in Illit, Beit Shemesh and Elad posted substantial increases in 2002, both as a result of positive internal migration and natural growth. Kiryat Yearim (Telz Stone) did not show an increase in the number of residents, Rechasim posted a slight increase, Bnei Brak dropped slightly and Emmanuel posted a decrease. City of Jerusalem Wants to Build New Neighborhoodsby Betzalel Kahn The Mayor's Office in Jerusalem says that plans for new neighborhoods are at advanced stages. Such plans include Antenna Hill in Bayit Vegan, where initial construction plans have already been approved; 2,000 residential units on the edge of Har Nof (a neighborhood to be named after HaRav Shach zt'l); an additional 800 units in Ramat Shlomo; a plan to build behind Givat Shaul's industrial zone; a plan to make Sanhedria denser; and a plan to build a new neighborhood next to Ramot. Immigrant Policy Eyed as German Community Swellsby Yated Ne'eman Staff Germany was main refuge for Jews fleeing persecution last year. Germany took in 19,262 Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union in 2002, while Israel took in 18,878. Those numbers did not represent a surge in Jewish immigration to Germany but rather a drop in immigration to Israel. Shinui Demonstrations in Kfar Sababy A. Cohen Shinui Party members from Kfar Saba demonstrated outside a Zol-Poh outlet in Kfar Saba's industrial area to protest management's request to come to the store in modest and suitable attire. Beitar Illit Gets First Shabbos Generatorby Yated Ne'eman Staff For the first time since the city's founding 13 years ago, a Shabbos generator went into operation in Beitar Illit some weeks ago, providing an alternative energy source on Shabbosos and chagim for those who avoid using electricity generated by the Israel Electric Company through chilul Shabbos. Degel HaTorah Information Bureau Opened in Ramat Beit Shemeshby Yated Ne'eman Staff Degel HaTorah Knesset members and Degel HaTorah Branch Council members participated in an impressive, dignified inauguration ceremony held two weeks ago to mark the opening of the new Degel HaTorah Information Bureau in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Refurbishment of the Adass Yisroel Mikvaby Yated Ne'eman Staff The mikva was originally built forty years ago. Now, due to a substantial increase in the chareidi population of the area, it has become vital to extend its facilities and to modernize its fixtures and appearance. A deep-water ma'ayon is part of the development plan. National Council for Taharas Hamishpochoh in the UKby Moishe Chaim Elzas At a recent meeting of the National Council for Taharas Hamishpochoh, Dayan Chaim Ehrentreu proposed that Rabbi J. Z. Dunner take over the chairmanship following the recent petiroh of the Sassover Rebbe zt"l who had headed the Council for many years. This was unanimously adopted and Rabbi Dunner graciously agreed to accept the responsibility. All material on this site is copyrighted and its use is
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