According to frum students attending Haifa’s prestigious Technion, they have been unsuccessful in having class schedules changed to accommodate megilah reading on Purim. A number of students have taken their case to MK (Ichud HaLeumi) Dr. Michael Ben-Ari, explaining they are frustrated because there simply is no one willing to change the schedule to accommodate them, the frum students. They state that university officials have told them the school is not a religious school and it is not obligated to accommodate their religious schedule.
The Kippa website reports that one of the students, Yitzchak Kroizer reported that during the past week he and others have turned to a number of university officials to accommodate their need to hear megilah on Purim night, Wednesday. In a meeting held with the deputy director of the school of engineering they were told “we do not see a valid reason to postpone classes”.
The students tried explaining that they are studying in a Jewish country and there is an obligation to accommodate students wishing to observe mitzvos. One student boldly pointed out that when it comes to Islamic holidays the school does show consideration.
Ben-Ari today, Wednesday erev Purim sent a letter to Minister of Education Gideon Saar, questioning such a policy in the Jewish state.
There has not been a response at the time of publication.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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10 Responses
mu husband is in a YU school and is having the same issue.
This could only happen in Israel.
I suggest that all affected Technion students apply immediately for transfer to Machon Lev – Jerusalem College of Technology. In addition to running a prestigious combined Yeshiva and engineering college, they are wonderful Jews.
Oy!!! WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?!?
TweetTweet, of course it could only happen in Israel. There’s only one Technion, and it’s in Israel. Duh!
Why can’t they hear m’gilla after class?
Granted its a chutzpah that a “Israeli” school would not alter the schedule for m’gilla laining.
Yup, we here at Machon Lev are off for Wednesday and Thursday.
They are well into the second semester and they noticed only now that their school is anti-Torah?
I am a religious student and the Technion and I can tell you with certainty that this article is a complete fabrication. The Technion is on semester break, there are no classes or exams or anything all week. In fact, most students are not on campus either. I have no idea why anyone would make this up – the Technion is a great campus for religious students, and the administration is very considerate of our needs.
And if you live in the spirit of truth, you should print a retraction. Shame on you for besmirching such a great university!