Part VIII
The Temptation of Poalei Agudath Israel
After Ben Gurion announced in 5714 that there would be an
annulment of the branches, the Beis Yaakov schools were left
with a broken trough. The only option left to them was to
join with the Mizrachi and enjoy the budgets or to remain an
independent body and finance 40% of the expenses
themselves.
It was a harsh decree. The funding of 40% of the expenses of
dozens of schools required gathering very hefty and ongoing
donations, something that wasn't de rigueur until then. There
was the fear that the thriving that had taken place during
the time of the branches would ebb and the educational labor
of years would go to waste.
"During the summer break, all the principals of the schools
in Jerusalem assembled in the school yard of Chorev school,"
testified Rav Samuel, who himself was the principal of the
Beis Yaakov school in the Mekor Chaim transit camp and later
in Katamonim. "The principals were very bitter and didn't
know what had happened. There had always been problems with
the salaries and now when the schools would only be given a
60% budget, how would they manage at all?
"Representatives of Poalei Agudath Israel arrived and
announced the formation of a PAI branch within the framework
of state religious schools. 'If all of you join our branch,
you'll enjoy a budget of 100%!' they offered us. The
proposition was tempting and many voices voted in favor. I
was at the head of the opposition but the decision was
arbitrary and valid. Then I left the assembly in the middle
and ran to Rav Lieberman and to Rav Moshe Porush to inform
them of it. They were shocked at first but immediately sprang
into action, each with the institutions he was most connected
with, to ascertain that they would not join the PAI network.
All the principals who agreed to Rav Lieberman's and Rav
Porush's request received only 60% from then on. The
situation was difficult and the trial great. However, they
received encouragement and support from the Rebbe of Gur, who
even gave of his own money."
The captains of the ship of independent education weathered
stormy years. And much has been told about them. However,
fifty years later, the hard days are behind them and chareidi
education continues to flourish and thrive.
Then You Will See and Be Filled With Light
Chanukah 5764. In the Binyanei Hauma conference center in
Jerusalem, rows upon rows of ten-year-old girls are squirming
in the cushioned seats, too big for them, waiting for the
beginning of the "Aliyah LeBatya" ceremony. Suddenly, as if a
slice of history is being played out in front of their
wondering eyes — Rav Hillel Lieberman!
His face reflects worlds of purity and noble serenity that
ninety years of troubles were unable to efface and draws the
attention of the thousands of girls who whisper on the news .
. . Rav Hillel!
"In the last year of his life," his son Rav Yeshayahu says,
"Father was very weak. It seemed as if this time he wouldn't
be able to get to `Aliyah LeBatya' and bless the girls, as
had been his custom for years. However, I visited him on that
day, and when I arrived, he was already prepared to go. For
him — there was never any question."
2,500 Beis Yaakov girls, gathered from every fourth grade in
the Jerusalem area, listened to the blessing that Rav Hillel
gave them for the last time in his life.
Looking at the wonderful sight of the filled hall, Rav Hillel
wiped an unseen tear. This vision, this inconceivable
blessing that he saw in front of him, returned him over fifty
years back in time. "I was optimistic," Rav Hillel smiled,
after his overflowing emotions had subsided a bit, "I had
dared hope that there would be a thousand Beis Yaakov
students throughout the country . . . " For several weeks the
wonderful picture kept Rav Hillel's heart beating and the
words of Yishayahu the prophet were not diminished:
"Lift up your eyes round about and see, they have all
gathered together to come to you . . . Then you will see and
be filled with light and your heart shall tremble and be
enlarged . . . " (Yishayahu 60, 4-5)
THE END
