A special Keren Shevi'is board meeting held this week in
Jerusalem centered on obstacles being laid by Agriculture
Ministry officials to prevent financial support from reaching
shomrei Shevi'is farmers, and countermeasures to
increase the number of recipients.
The meeting was opened by Keren Shevi'is Director Rav Ben
Tzion Kugler, who said although we are now heading into the
final months of the Shmittah year, the organization still has
many months of work ahead of it, after Rosh Hashanah as well.
He also used the opportunity to recall a number of recently
deceased activists, who were dedicated in their efforts to
promote Shmittah observance — Rabbi Eliyohu Teitelbaum,
Rabbi Boruch Borchard of the US and Rabbi Meir Luria. He also
discussed the exhausting fundraising efforts, saying despite
the difficulties the organization has seen siyata
deShmaya every step of the way.
Rav Kugler and Rav Yosef Guttman of the National Center for
Shomrei Shevi'is Farmers at Kommemiyus then proceeded to
expand on the obstacles the Agriculture Ministry has been
creating. They surveyed several meetings held to discuss
farmers' trying efforts to contend with the draconian
criteria ministry officials have formulated for receiving
Israeli government support. Although the maximum amount they
can receive is NIS 170,000 ($50,000) the regular financing
and maintenance payments they owe to the banks for their land
come to far more. "So far the Agriculture Ministry has
transferred NIS 11 million [$3.2 million] of the approved
budget of NIS 25 million [$7.2 million]," they noted.
Rav Shmuel Mordechai Mintz said based on previous years'
experience he recommended not taking out additional loans
during this period, adding that in the future MKs should be
involved in formulating the criteria. He also voiced
appreciation for Rav Kugler's selfless work to competently
manage Keren Shevi'is on a volunteer basis.
A financial report for 2007 was then provided by an
accountant, along with a proposed budget for 2008, including
the percentage spent based on actual donations. The report
and proposed budget were both adopted unanimously. The board
also approved appointing an accountant to serve as a
comptroller for the organization, as well as a managing
committee made up of HaRav M.M. Mendelson, Rav Kugler, Rav
Zilberstein and Rav Rafael Hoffman. Rav Kugler, Rav
Zilberstein and Rav Hoffman were named authorized
signatories.
Rav Kugler raised for discussion the question of whether to
organize a central affair to mark the end of the Shmittah
year, with all the considerable expenses such an event would
entail. Several proposals were made and all of the board
members agreed an event should be held as a show of
appreciation for the thousands of committed shomrei
Shevi'is farmers.
Closing remarks were made by HaRav Mendelson, who spoke about
the many efforts made on a daily basis to guide the farmers
in detail on how to keep the mitzvah of Shmittah in
accordance with halacha. He also praised the board members
for their important work toward keeping and expanding the
mitzvah of Shevi'is.
