Scathing criticism was directed at the Religious Council of
Jerusalem and Council Chairman Moshe Ausditcher in Monday's
Knesset State Control Committee meeting to evaluate
operations at the Council.
Committee Chairman MK Zevulun Orlev (HaIchud HaLeumi), a
representative for the city's neighborhood rabbonim, the
Jerusalem Comptroller and the legal advisor to the Authority
for Religious Services at the Prime Minister's Office issued
highly critical remarks regarding Ausditcher's performance of
his duties. They said they preferred not to elaborate on the
details since the matter is currently being addressed by the
High Court, but noted that the claims against the chairman of
the Religious Council Chairman are of a personal nature and
they decided to fire him for these and not political
reasons.
MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni said, "Jerusalem used to have a top
religious council. There was a good system in place, and the
kashrus setup in particular was marvelous and was
relied upon in Israel and abroad. Of all the religious
councils now it's all gone down the drain, and the kashrus
setup in particular is in severe decline. This is what
troubles me."
MK Orlev echoed his remarks, saying nothing remains of the
Religious Council's sterling past.
HaRav Dovid Shapira, representing Jerusalem's neighborhood
rabbonim and Religious Council workers, presented a charged
account of the situation at the Religious Council. "There are
constant problems with salaries, yet they hire employees for
unneeded posts such as strategic advisor, advertising
advisor, etc., while minimum-wage workers are neglected. The
Religious Council, which was a marvelous during the period of
the former chief rabbis of Jerusalem, HaRav B. Zolti and
HaRav Y. Kulitz, has lost the great faith the public once had
in it."
Meir Shpeigler, director of the National Authority for
Religious Services, says the Prime Minister signed a letter
calling for Ausditcher's removal based on personal
reasons.
Atty. Moshe Ausditcher insists that the Religious Council
board functions properly. He claims that accountants have
issued reports and these reports would be implemented. He
also claims the demand by Religious Services Commissioner
Yitzchak Cohen to dismiss him is political.
The legal advisor for the Prime Minister's Office rejected
this claim, saying dismissal proceedings were underway before
Cohen assumed his post.
