Following a threat by Betzedek to petition the High Court
against the Education Ministry, the Education Ministry
rescinded its plans to close down a yeshiva ketanoh in
Northern Israel by refusing to extend its license, using the
argument that the yeshiva has not increased its
enrollment.
A new and unanticipated decree fell upon a prominent yeshiva
in the North when the Education Ministry denied a routine
request to renew the license, saying that the yeshiva has
failed to grow after several years of operations and
instructing the management to seek alternative study
frameworks for all of the students.
After contacting several Education Ministry officials but
receiving only negative responses, the yeshiva, fearing the
move could be part of a nationwide attempt to reduce the
number of yeshivas, sought the help of Betzedek Chairman
Atty. Rabbi Mordechai Green. Betzedek proceeded to pursue two
courses of action simultaneously: preparing an appeal to the
judicial committee and submitting a preliminary High Court
appeal against the regrettable decree.
Among its arguments Betzedek claimed that the number of
students is not included among the licensing conditions,
which by law must be made available for public review.
Betzedek also argued that the Education Ministry is only
supposed to consider whether the yeshiva's physical environs
are in proper condition whereas the enrollment numbers are
irrelevant.
The Education Ministry submitted an official response saying
that as a result of Betzedek's preliminary appeal a decision
was made to renew the yeshiva's license for another year. The
Education Ministry also requested that the yeshiva act to
increase its enrollment in the future.
Following the timely and positive response Betzedek asked the
Education Ministry to extend the yeshiva's license for three
years, as in the past, adding that such an extension would
give the students and staff a sense of security, thereby
contributing to the yeshiva's ability to grow.
