The large celebration marking 50 years since the Belzer Rebbe Shlita assumed the mantle of leadership has some eyebrows raised. Over 10,000 participants reportedly took part in the event which was paid for in part by Jerusalem City Hall.
MyNet quotes a senior source in City Hall explaining that some NIS 100,000 was contributed to the event by the city, adding Belze was a supporter of Mayor Nir Barkat’s reelection campaign. It is added that despite statements by some officials who try to bill the event a cultural event, they explain it was strictly a Belz event and anyone with a ticket from Belz was not granted entry.
However, mention was made of the mayor’s support of the kehilla. Michael Halberstam, the Belz representative to City Hall spoke of the mayor and his efforts on behalf of Belz.
City officials explaining the funding insist the event was to commemorate the Jews of Galicia.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE EVENT
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
If they can fund every stupid marathon or toeiva event why shouldn’t they fund this too? Also Belz visitors contribute alot to the tourist economy of Yerushalayim.
This story is very very poorly written and does not clearly explain what the issue is all about. It is not unusual for municipal governments to provide funding for such events. What exactly is the issue here?