Hundreds of managers of yeshivas and other Torah institutions
met at Binyanei Ha'Uma in Jerusalem for a yom iyun
sponsored by Vaad Hayeshivos and the Union of Yeshiva
Managers. For several hours the participants listened to
fascinating lectures that included information on government
injustices regarding the yeshiva budget. Gedolei Torah
and top chareidi activists and representatives also took part
in the event.
Vaad Hayeshivos Chairman HaRav Osher Tannenbaum read aloud
letters sent by Maran HaRav Eliashiv, HaRav Shteinman and
other gedolei Yisroel shlita.
HaRav Eliashiv wrote, "I hereby add my blessing to the
gathering of yeshiva managers sponsored by Vaad Hayeshivos
Ba'aretz Hakodesh and the Union of Yeshiva Managers. Every
gathering of yirei Hashem is good for them and good
for the world, and the yeshiva managers participating in this
gathering can be relied upon to work toward the strengthening
of the Torah world and to increase kovod Shomayim."
HaRav Shteinman wrote: "`Kol keneisiyoh shehi lesheim
Shomayim sofoh lehiskayeim.' May it be His Will that you
succeed in increasing Torah immeasurably and in this merit
may you merit the Eternal Redemption together with Klal
Yisroel."
Later Rav Tannenbaum quoted remarks by HaRav Shmuel Wosner,
one of the nesi'im of Vaad Hayeshivos, calling on the
yeshiva managers who must use Internet to use the services of
a company that provides a kosher connection only. He also
read a letter sent by HaRav Shimon Ba'adani.
The central address was delivered by HaRav Shmuel Auerbach,
who spoke about preserving the purity of chareidi education
and praised the managers for their part in sustaining Torah
study.
Opening remarks were given by Union of Yeshiva Managers
Chairman Rabbi Avrohom Friedman, following by a lecture given
by representatives of Galed Pension Funds. Other speakers
included Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky, MK Rabbi
Moshe Gafni, MK Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, MK Rabbi Meir Porush,
MK Rabbi Shmuel Halpert, MK Rabbi Eli Yishai, MK Rabbi
Yitzchak Cohen, Rabbi Menachem Porush, Rabbi Avrohom Yosef
Lazerson, one of the heads of Chinuch Atzmai, Rabbi Yaakov
Cohen, Rabbi Tzvi Roth, Rabbi Meir Shechter, Union of Yeshiva
Managers members and Education Ministry Deputy Accountant Mr.
Yahali Rotenberg. Among the participants were Jerusalem
Deputy Mayors Rabbi Uri Maklev and Rabbi Eliezer
Simchayoff.
At the end of the conference the following decisions were
announced:
To issue a demand to government heads not to interfere with
curriculum of the chareidi education system; to place the
issue of funding for the yeshivas and the Torah world at the
top of the public agenda; to arrange proper funding for the
yeshivos ketanos, which used to flourish and are now
on the verge of total collapse; to restrain the constant
haranguing and sanctions against yeshivas and
kollelim; to maintain a different type of criticism
for special populations; to adopt the calls by gedolei
Yisroel shlita to require institutions in need of
Internet to use Netiv; to demand a reevaluation of the
various criteria foisted on the Torah world during the past
three years; to set up a team to handle the above issues; and
to hold a conference at least once per year to formulate
plans and strengthen unity.
