The Degel HaTorah National Convention ended last week with a
closing session in the main meeting hall of the Eden Inn in
Zichron Yaakov. All of the hundreds of convention delegates
were on hand. Seated at the dais were HaRav Aharon Roter,
Zichron Yaakov Moro De'asra HaRav Mordechai Abramovsky, Party
Chairman Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz, Party Secretary Rabbi Moshe
Gafni, Jerusalem Mayor Rabbi Uri Lupoliansky and Rabbi
Yitzchok Reich, who served as chairman of the closing
session.
Rabbi Reich thanked the delegates for coming from far and
near, setting aside their other affairs to make time for the
important convention.
HaRav Roter said the convention had two goals: to rectify the
sin of sinas chinom, which led to the Destruction of
the Temple, and to wage war against heretics. Both of these
objectives, he said, call for unity. "The verse says,
`Vayachanu shom Yisroel negged hohor' and Rashi
writes, `Ke'ish echod beleiv echod,' indicating this
is a condition for receiving the Torah. The Or HaChaim says
no Jew can fulfill all 613 mitzvos on his own, but when
Klal Yisroel is united with every individual doing his
share it applies to others as well.
"We must have hakoras hatov toward Maran HaRosh
Yeshiva, zt"l, who founded Degel HaTorah. You don't
know—there are many young people here—what a
golus we were in before Maran HaRosh Yeshiva set up
Degel HaTorah, which restored our independence. Nevertheless
apparently Yechezkel's prophecy, `Vekiravto es yomeicho
echod le'echod vehoyu le'echodim' belongs to the Days of
Moshiach. Yet this does not exempt us from being two boats
tied together. One cannot carry from one boat to the other,
for there is a karmelis separating them, but if there
are eruvei chatzeiros between them one can carry from
one to the other." He went on to speak of HaRav Shach's
mesirus nefesh for the sake of Shearis Yisroel and
Yated Ne'eman.
Rabbi Reich then asked HaRav Abramovsky to address the
delegates. "The Ramban writes that when Yitzchok intended to
bless Eisov, and Yaakov wound up receiving the blessing
intended for Eisov, he then followed a path strewn with
suffering. So what good did the two blessings do him?
"A blessing is not a seguloh for a serene life but
rather helps a person cope with the challenges awaiting him,
and with the blessing he set out on a long road. When I came
to the opening session and saw the atmosphere, the spiritual
elevation, the representatives from around the country, it
brought back memories from my childhood. Here, in Zichron
Yaakov, I used to see the yeshiva students learning at the
large beis knesses in the settlement. Over the years
Zichron Yaakov developed with yeshivas and Torah
institutions. The development of the settlement encapsulates
what the Torah world has become as manifested at this
convention, with rabbonim and askonim gathering
together for this important event, as representatives of the
Torah world in Eretz Yisroel."
Rabbi Reich then thanked the hotel director, Mr. Eitan
Goldman, and the mashgiach Rav Refoel Manat,
presenting them with special certificates of appreciation. He
also thanked all those who worked to organize the convention:
Rabbi Mordechai Blau, Rabbi Yitzchok Bar, Rabbi Mordechai
Goldberg, Rabbi Yisroel Yitzchok Golomb, Rabbi Shmuel
Greenberg, Rabbi Eliezer Hochman, Rabbi Gershon Houminer,
Rabbi Shlomo Houminer, Rabbi Yitzchok Helli, Rebbi Mordechai
Vislovsky, Rabbi Aryeh Zissman, Rabbi Binyomin Cohen, Rabbi
Tzvi Levy, Rabbi Betzalel Kahn, Rabbi Reuven Korlansky, Rabbi
Shlomo Korlansky, Rabbi Dovid Kirshenbaum, Rabbi Avigdor
Katzburg, Rabbi Yaakov Rosenstein, Rabbi Yosef Shetreet and
Rabbi Menachem Shapira. Rabbi Ravitz then gave a special gift
to the two organizers of the convention, Rabbi Moshe Shiffman
and Rabbi Yosef Graz.
After Rabbi Gafni delivered closing remarks, Rabbi Reich read
aloud the convention decisions (see sidebar) and then the
participants were given an opportunity to make brief remarks
on the decisions. At 2:00 p.m. the convention came to an end
and the hundreds of delegates returned to their various
activities for the sake of the public with a lofty feeling of
unity after 48 hours of fascinating meetings.
Decisions Published after the Degel HaTorah National
Convention
* The Convention thanks Borei Olom for the success and
siyata deShmaya we have seen during the conventions in
the merit of maranan verabonon gedolei Yisroel shlita,
who light our path and who encouraged and blessed the
convention for the sake of Heaven.
* The Convention voices its support for lomdei Torah
everywhere, in whose merit we exist, as stated by the Novi,
"Im lo berisi yomom volailoh chukos Shomayim vo'oretz lo
samti," and stands by the roshei yeshivos and the roshei
kollelim who bear the heavy burden of maintaining the Torah
institutions.
* The Convention calls on Degel HaTorah representatives to
continue standing firm at the side of the institutions and
the lomdei Torah and to resist any attempt to harm the
fortresses of Torah
* The Convention has decided not to allow any harm to come to
the spiritual, educational and physical independence of
chareidi education of all types and for all ages. Any attempt
by the government or the local authorities will meet up
against a sturdy, uncompromising wall on the issue which is
so holy and dear to us—the education of our sons and
daughters according to the age-old Jewish tradition, based on
the directives and guidance of gedolei Yisroel.
* Meanwhile the Degel HaTorah Convention calls on the heads
of the secular education system, who are witnessing the
collapse of an education system lacking in Jewish values, to
return to the path of refined Judaism which has proven itself
in the past and in the present, and, be'ezras Hashem,
in the future as well, as the perpetuator of the glorious
chain from Maamad Har Sinai to the end of the generations.
* The Convention heard with great concern about the ongoing
harm by legal figures at the various government ministries
who, under the guise of "legal authority," strike out
maliciously at chareidi Torah, education and culture
institutions. Degel HaTorah representatives call for the
masks to be removed from the faces of these legal figures who
are undermining their right to the equal treatment in funding
matters to which they are entitled based on justice, law,
morality and public policy.
* The Convention calls on the government to clearly and
unambiguously announce that religious services in the Jewish
state are an integral part of the obligation to provide
services to citizens in the State of Israel, and demands the
rabbonim, religious council employees and workers at holy
places receive their due wages immediately. The Convention
turns to Degel HaTorah representatives to bring appropriate
legislation in the Knesset for a religious services law to
improve the provision of these services, to raise the status
of the rabbonim and employees and to prevent the division of
religious services funding between the various
authorities.
* The Convention calls on heads of government, both central
and local, not to harm [the budgets for] kodshei
Yisroel, the soul of Judaism, for in its merit we exist
as a nation and live here in the Holy Land.
* The Convention condemns the attempts made by various legal
and antireligious figures to drain the country of the whole
of the Jewish heritage, chas vecholiloh, and calls on
Degel HaTorah representatives to continue struggling against
compromise and against these dangerous trends, which pose an
existential threat to the Jewish people.
* The Convention calls on Degel HaTorah representatives
everywhere to see to inexpensive housing for young couples
and large families, increased government mortgage loans and
the restoration of settlement grants in the various small
towns, and meanwhile to continue the momentum in finding
solutions for suitable employment at decent wages.
* The Convention backs all those involved in the holy task
of reaching out to bring Jews closer to Torah and Judaism,
which is an unsurpassed testament to the Divine promise [that
Am Yisroel will not be forsaken]—"Ki lo sishochach
mipi zar'o" and "Lo yidoch mimenu nidach." The
Convention calls on Degel HaTorah representatives everywhere
to see to the necessary resources for this holy and blessed
activity. The Convention calls for the strengthening and
nurturing of the blessed activity among youth and by all of
the organizations involved.
* The Convention has decided to rejuvenate and strengthen
Degel HaTorah institutions according to the following
plan:
A. Convention participants will be members of the National
Council
B. Degel HaTorah representatives at the local authorities and
post holders commissioned by the party will be members of the
National Secretariat
C. The Convention has decided to approve the existing Degel
HaTorah board
* The Convention has decided to set up committees that will
function as Degel HaTorah institutions in the following
areas:
A. An Education Committee headed by Rabbi Binyomin Cohen
B. An Institutions Funding Committee headed by Rabbi Menachem
Schwartz
C. In light of the decision reached in the matter, an
Organizing and Mustering Committee headed by Rabbi Mordechai
Karelitz
D. A Municipal Committee headed by Rabbi Yaakov Guterman and
Rabbi Yaakov Asher. Rabbi Guterman will attend to regular
political problems in every location and Rabbi Asher will
attend to providing professional assistance and guidance to
our representatives at the local authorities in municipal
matters
E. Housing and employment committee headed by Rabbi Tzvi
Herbst
F. A Communications and Jewish Information Committee headed
by Rabbi Moshe Lachover and Rabbi Shlomo Korlansky. (Each
committee will have 15-20 committee members and we call on
delegates interested in participating to make themselves
available and call the Degel HaTorah offices.)
G. The National Board Election Staff will serve as the
election staff. Other members will join the staff to man the
various bureaus
* The Convention calls for peace between the different parts
of Torah-true Jewry and cooperation against those seeking to
destroy Kerem Beis Yisroel
* The Convention agrees, as per instructions from maranan
verabonon shlita, to allow Degel HaTorah representatives
to conduct negotiations with Agudas Yisroel representatives
leading toward a joint slate for the next elections, based on
mutual respect, cooperation and full equality, to sanctify
the Name of Heaven.
* The Convention supports all of the communal institutions
and organizations founded by Maran Rabban Shel Kol Bnei
HaGoloh the Rosh Yeshiva, zt"l, including Shearis
Yisroel and Yated Ne'eman.
* Convention delegates pray to Borei Olom to take pity
upon and safeguard the nation dwelling in Tzion, imperiled
from without and within, in gashmiyus and
ruchniyus, and calls on our Jewish brethren in
Eretz Yisroel and abroad to draw closer to Our Father
in Heaven, to keep mitzvos and the Holy Torah and to
perpetuate the Jewish tradition that has united all of us
into a single nation under the banner of Torah.
* All Convention decisions are subject to the approval of
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.
Attempts to Harm Chareidi Education Among Focal Points of
Degel HaTorah Convention
by Betzalel Kahn and Y. Ariel
The education workshop held on the second day of the Degel
HaTorah Convention was devoted to the tasks placed upon
today's educational institutions and the attempts by
government officials to undermine the pure Jewish form of
education.
Rabbi Tzvi Baumel, director of the Netivot Moshe Foundation
and deputy director of Chinuch Atzmai, opened the session
saying Avrohom Ovinu received promises from HaKodosh Boruch
Hu "Ki yedativ lema'an asher yetzaveh es bonov"
(Bereishis). Therefore he merited "and I will make you
into a great nation." He was the first educator and the very
fact we exist as a nation is because generation after
generation, from Avrohom Ovinu to the present, we provide our
sons and daughter chinuch. Without the chinuch
handed down to us from generation to generation we do not
have the merit to exist."
He said on the periphery there are baalei teshuvoh and
even secular Jews who have become disgusted with the
education offered at secular schools and are choosing to send
their children to chareidi schools. "The Education Ministry
is the primary funding provider for our education system.
That's a fact. The establishment is trying to drive its way
into our pure educational system and to insist on introducing
things that do not belong in it. Letters are constantly being
sent to the office of Rabbi Meir Luria at Chinuch Atzmai and
to the seminary principals, where the Education Ministry is
trying to nibble away at and dig its claws into pure Jewish
education. We are stopping the breach, not allowing foreign
elements to force their way in, based on instructions from
maranan verabonon shlita.
"An overcrowded school in the heart of the Sharon Region was
producing exemplary students, despite having to make do with
temporary structures that cost nearly NIS 100,000 per year.
In the nearby town a government-religious school closed down.
The Education Ministry offered us the building, promising not
to interfere with our curriculum—neither the teachers
nor the oversight. Everything would be based on taharas
hakodesh, but the teachers would receive their salaries
directly from the Education Ministry. We went to Maran HaRav
Eliashiv, shlita, to ask whether we should accept the
offer, which would have allowed us to accept hundreds of
additional students. His firm reply: If so, then close down
the school. This tampers with the independence of chareidi
education.
"Once there was a proposal to bring in a chareidi principal
who had spent years in the government-religious school
system, to instruct teachers in the chareidi school system
how to teach math. HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman,
shlita, said since she had spent years in the
government-religious school system, even though she was
chareidi the proposal should be turned down.
"The most painful problem is not accepting students at
[chareidi] institutions. Sometimes parents go through
[extremely trying experiences] before they manage to get
their children into educational institutions. Whether because
of various rumors about these families, rumors that are
unfounded, or because of their last name. On the other hand
one sees thousands of children in moshavim, kibbutzim and
villages riding buses every morning to Chinuch Atzmai
schools," said Rabbi Baumel.
Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Rabbi Uri Maklev, who led the special
education workshop, said the chareidi educational system has
over a quarter of a million children enrolled, kein
yirbu. Jerusalem alone has 85,000 children age 18 and
under. Bnei Brak has nearly 55,000. In Modi'in Illit, Beitar
Illit and Beit Shemesh there are tens of thousands more, not
to mention the students over the age of 18.
Rabbi Meir Luria, one of the heads of Chinuch Atzmai and the
first speaker of the workshop, emphasized the absolute
independence of Chinuch Atzmai since its inception. "Ever
since the first agreement that was made there have been
attempts to make incursions in various ways, all of which
involve substantial monetary incentives. Everyone is aware of
our financial situation. Never has Chinuch Atzmai been
enticed by money which carries demands that run counter to
our values — not even to change one iota. We don't
compromise our principles.
"There is a `ruach kinoh' over the success of the
chareidi education system. Everyone is aware of the state of
secular education in this country. It's much worse than what
the press reports. They can't understand how our education
system manages to succeed. We lose a great deal of money
because of all sorts of little things.
"Take for instance special education. The High Court required
schools to carry out the mainstreaming law which brought with
it the setup of a district department that trains the
teachers and is involved in the curriculum, and if
not—no funding. And it was decided not to accept
chareidi teachers who come from these district
departments.
"We have difficulties with the busing system. Their goal is
clear: if there is no busing available parents not from the
chareidi public won't send their children to the chareidi
education system. The criteria are very strict. We accrued
huge debts in this matter and I must take advantage of this
platform to thank Rabbi Moshe Gafni who has gone above and
beyond the call of duty in this matter."
Rabbi Luria said local authorities have shaken off all their
responsibilities toward Chinuch Atzmai, claiming they are
private schools. "They don't pay the electricity, the water
and the regular maintenance costs and we can't afford it.
Neither are we willing to turn into municipal schools,
because that would constitute a form of interference with our
independence."
HaRav Tzvi Weissfish, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas HaRan, said
the name "Degel HaTorah" demonstrates it is not a political
party, chas vesholom, but a holy organization whose
only aim is to wave the banner of Torah in Eretz Yisroel and
around the world. "The name `Degel HaTorah' attests to a
recognition the Torah is our banner. It is of the greatest
importance and it is the center of our lives. Although there
are many mitzvos and many chessed matters our main
banner is the Torah. Everything revolves around the Torah and
operates according to the Torah. Politics is essentially an
outer garment but the soul of Degel HaTorah is placing the
Torah at the center of life. This is Degel HaTorah.
"This foundation, like everything else, depends on education.
To educate and make known this pure world view: the Torah is
the banner! And like everything else education starts at
home, education starts with the individual. Our aspiration is
indeed to announce and introduce this throughout the entire
Jewish world. But it has to start here. The beginning is
among us internally. And as HaRav Yisroel Salanter said, if
one chareidi Jew in a chareidi town strengthens Shabbos
observance it can have an impact on the Shabbos observance of
simple Jews living on the other side of the globe who are far
removed from these concepts. In the workshop devoted to
education we must speak and leave here strengthened on this
point that the Torah is the banner. Degel HaTorah means the
Torah is the center, it is the banner, and it ranks highest
on the list of priorities. This call must echo from one end
of the world to the other. But the initial phase is our own
personal education. The education of our children. The
education of our young men."
Later Rabbi Yeshayohu Lieberman, director of Merkaz Beis
Yaakov in Jerusalem, explained that we must maintain our
independence through our own powers and the genuine
representatives in the Knesset and local authorities, and not
be subjugated by various intermediaries in various government
ministries.
Rabbi Zeev Wolf, director of the Bais Yaakov seminary in Bnei
Brak, said purity must be maintained and safeguarded in
hashkofoh and chinuch at all educational
institutions. He also warned against the intrusion of foreign
elements in the chareidi public, especially undesirable media
entities that destroy the hearts of our youth, and from which
parents must protect their children.
Fascinating Discussion on Media Extends Late into the
Night
by Betzalel Kahn and Y. Ariel
A fascinating session on the media stirred lively
participation by convention delegates. The speakers discussed
the various problems in this area, citing numerous
examples.
This session continued late into the night, keeping hundreds
of delegates glued to their seats until 2:00 am as they
listened to speakers and shared their remarks. The
participants noted the importance of the discussion on the
issue of the media and the pressing need to make improvements
in this area. Even after the session ended many of the
delegates remained to continue the discussion. Despite the
late hour the delegates gathered into groups outside the
meeting hall and continued to dissect the information they
had heard.
The media session was led by Rabbi Eliezer Rauchberger and
Rabbi Aryeh Zissman, both reporters for the Hebrew edition of
Yated Ne'eman whose work often appears in English in
translation. Panel members included Rabbi Binyomin
Rabinowitz, also a Yated Ne'eman writer, Rabbi Daniel
Nassi of Manof and Rabbi Yaakov Levy, a member of the Netanya
City Council and a former media figure.
Aryeh Zissman opened the session with a talk on the internal
and external interests that affect the media, as well as the
attitude of the chareidi public and chareidi activists.
"Neither can we ignore the political involvement of the media
and the question is how we can leverage it in general in
favor of the chareidi public and if there is any chance of
that." He posed several questions on the animosity and
suspiciousness between the chareidi public and the media,
asking whether this can be changed. Other issues that were
raised for discussion included the damage done by interviews
with individuals who claim to represent the chareidi
viewpoint and whether their participation on various programs
contributes positively to the image of the chareidi public or
merely causes damage.
Eliezer Rauchberger, who has been following Degel HaTorah
closely for the past 15 years as a writer for the Hebrew
edition of Yated Ne'eman and part of whose weekly
"Politica" column is translated for the English edition as
well, analyzed Degel HaTorah's needs and deficiencies vis-a-
vis the media—both the chareidi press and the
mainstream press.
He read a long list of laws Degel HaTorah MKs initiated that
have no direct connection to religion, but said for the most
part the public is wholly unaware of Degel HaTorah's efforts
for the sake of Klal Yisroel and instead think the chareidi
MKs spend all their time involved in "blackmail" and
"religious coercion."
"Not a single religious law has been legislated in the
Knesset for the past 10 years. But if you ask the man-in-the-
street he will tell you right away all the chareidi MKs do is
legislate religious laws.
"Why is it that we have been unable to express our true aim
to the public?" he asked.
He also claimed through the media other segments of the
public can be reached, expanding the Degel HaTorah
constituency. He even enumerated a number of practical
suggestions to tackle the issue and to improve Degel
HaTorah's coverage in the media.
Daniel Nassi spoke about Manof's work against the bias and
generalizations in the mainstream media, citing numerous
examples.
Binyomin Rabinowitz spoke about the need to confront the
media with professionalism and strategic thinking in order to
win over public opinion. He made a detailed proposal for
internal party discussions, including consultations with
media experts from both inside and outside the party. He
cited numerous examples from the time he spent as spokesman
for the Degel HaTorah congress 15 years ago as well as the
widespread impact of the speech Maran HaRav Shach
zt"l, delivered 15 years ago at Yad Eliyahu Stadium.
He also mentioned Degel HaTorah's early media activity, which
brought many positive results.
Yaakov Levy recalled how chareidi MKs used to meet with
representatives at local authorities to formulate ways of
presenting their message in the media and called for a return
to this practice. His suggestion drew unanimous approval,
especially when he spoke of the need to improve Degel
HaTorah's coverage in the mainstream press.
Once all of the panel members had spoken the other
participants were given an opportunity to address the
workshop. Speakers included Mordechai Blau of Bnei Brak,
Yaakov Asher of Bnei Brak, Aharon Iram of Haifa, Yaakov Hesse
of Jerusalem, Eliezer Roter of Jerusalem, Dovid Birnbaum of
Hadera, Yitzchok Dvoratz of Jerusalem, Rabbi Moshe Mann of
Jerusalem, Tzvi Rott of Bnei Brak, Yeshayohu Smetani of Haifa
and Shlomo Karlinsky of Petach Tikva.
Among the various proposals raised during the ensuing
discussion were the setup of a media apparatus for the
general public to regularly provide explanations on different
issues, the setup of a professional forum that would meet
periodically, the appearance of a regular column to be called
"Emdateinu" ("Our Stance"), extensive media activity
through representatives at local authorities, paying to place
articles in the general press and more.
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni wrapped up the fascinating discussion by
describing the MKs' uncertainties in dealing with the media.
He kept listeners riveted by his many anecdotes and responded
to questions and proposals. He also discussed Degel HaTorah's
early media activities compared to the current state of
affairs in the media, providing an overview of media
campaigns against the chareidi public that influenced the
general atmosphere, chareidi MKs and representatives at the
local authorities. In closing he reiterated the proposal to
set up a media committee as soon as possible.
