A special conference was held on Wednesday 22 Adar to express
the concern of gedolei Yisroel about the ongoing
efforts that are being made to influence and undermine
chareidi education from many different government sources.
The threat is not limited to one political party or another,
but come from the entire secular establishment. Using
apparently neutral arguments — such as the need for
equality in the various educational streams, the need for
"more professionalism," lack of funds, and many more —
officials suggest or impose changes that threaten the soul of
our system and the souls of our children.
Maranan Verabonon see the threat clearly and have been
warning about it for years already. The gathering was called
to give formal, public expression to the concerns.
1. The conference declares that chareidi education, in all of
its strata, branches, levels and varieties, is cherished as
the secret of the existence of faithful Judaism in Eretz
Hakodesh. We have an obligation and a responsibility to
preserve its full independence in all areas.
2. The conference declares that the various frameworks of
chareidi education are subject to the sole authority of
gedolei Yisroel shlita, the leaders of the generation.
All matters related to education are to be run in strict
accordance with their instructions and nobody may intervene
in the education system without their approval.
3. Since the various educational frameworks for both boys and
girls, as well as the curriculum and structure, were approved
and supported by gedolei Yisroel over the generations,
nobody is authorized to alter them and all of gedolei
Yisroel, the leaders of the generation, who stand at the
helm of the education systems, are explicitly granted the
power to make the final decisions — and whoever makes
any changes on his own will be held accountable.
4. The conference issues a heartfelt call to the heads of
government in Eretz Yisroel: "Al tig'u bemeshichoi!"
Allow us to educate our sons and daughters undisturbed, in
the manner handed down to us from generation to
generation.
5. The conference objects to the repeated attempts by various
officials to intervene in chareidi education in various ways,
including determining study programs and study times,
accepting and rejecting students, holding teacher exams or
workshops, eliminating longstanding frameworks, attempting to
alter the structure of the teachers' seminary or other of the
various institutions that follow their legacy, and
determining the study calendar. The conference demands that
they desist from these efforts and leave the chareidi
educational frameworks in the hands of those placed in charge
of it and authorized by gedolei Yisroel.
6. The conference calls on principals of chareidi educational
institutions to unite, combining forces in this fateful
campaign for our future and our children's future, and not to
allow any breaches in the walls of education, and to only act
in unity with the full consent of gedolei Yisroel.
7. The conference calls on the chareidi representatives in
the Knesset to place the absolute independence of chareidi
education at the top of the public agenda and to make it a
condition for any future negotiations, demanding first and
foremost, "Tein lonu es Yavneh vechachomehoh," and to
guarantee — through law and through clear, viable
regulations — the independence of chareidi education at
all strata, branches and levels, which will also guarantee
the continued existence of pure Jewish education.
8. The conference calls on whoever is in a position to act:
by standing firm in defense of educational independence and
by using all available means to prevent outsiders from
gaining access to our hallowed education system and by
removing the constant decrees which prevent the opening of
Torah and educational institutions based on taharas
hakodesh.
9. The conference calls for the expansion of chareidi
educational frameworks for both boys and girls throughout
Eretz Hakodesh, enlisting new soldiers for the legions
of the King of Kings and strengthening the quality and
quantity, the sanctity and purity of chareidi educational
frameworks at all levels in order to increase and glorify
Torah and to set forth generations of Jews ready to greet
Moshiach Tzidkeinu speedily.
