The Union of Yeshiva and Torah Institutions Managers is
demanding that the Welfare Ministry transfer tens of millions
of shekels in overdue assistance funding for 250 chareidi
dormitories as soon as possible.
A letter the managers sent to Welfare Ministry Director-
General Professor Dov Goldberger notes that while eight
months have passed since the school year began the funds have
yet to arrive, though the dormitories have already gone
through the necessary procedures and met the eligibility
requirements. The prolonged delay is merely due to the need
to make final arrangements for the funding criteria and to
register them publicly.
"We are no less concerned by the fact that NIS 35 million,
representing 60 percent of the total funding, has already
been cut in an inequitable manner when compared with the
other sections of the Welfare Ministry budget," write the
managers, reminding the Director-General of the pledges made
by Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev to make every effort to
restore the original sum of NIS 63 million budgeted for
2003.
The letter further states the long delay has caused
irreversible damage to the dormitories, which do important
educational and rehabilitation work.
