A meeting of the Union of Seminary Principals which took place in Bnei Brak, attended by principals from all over the country, dealt thoroughly and intensively with the duty and responsibility to preserve the sanctity of Bais Yaakov from outside influences and technological dangers. It was noted that Sarah Schenirer established the Bais Yaakov movement in order to save Jewish girls from Haskalah influence which, in its time, felled many a victim. It is our responsibility to carry on her work and preserve the spirit of Bais Yaakov, for this is the very survival and continuity of the Jewish people.
The meeting was opened by the secretary general of the Union, HaRav Yitzchok Austerlitz, who is in daily contact with the principals.
HaRav Zev Wolf, chairman of the organization and principal of the Wolf Seminary in Bnei Brak, focused on the preparedness which is required in face of the various programs and agenda which the Education Ministry plans to introduce into the seminaries. He also related to reforms of `Oz liTmurah' which present fundamental problems, concluding that no seminary should join this reform. He expressed opposition and criticism of the spreading phenomenon of teachers taking courses outside the framework of Bais Yaakov and the constant drive for obtaining academic accreditation and degrees. Haskalah, he said, wafts through our streets with all kinds of different names.
"One does not achieve professional training [in these outside frameworks] without damage to pure thinking. There is no branch of any university that is kosher. The teachers in these non-Bais Yaakov institutions give over a polluted atmosphere. Anyone who says, `This won't affect me,' is lying to herself."
