A local Elad newspaper advertised an evening program addressing the rights of women employed in the education system. The evening is sponsored by the ‘מפתח’ organization, which enjoys the support of local rabbonim. Officials from the organization explain they have their backing for the evening because they feel the battle of these women is justified and the women must learn what their rights are to permit them to stand up for them.

Spearheading the evening event is Michal Zernowitski, who ran for the Elad city council in the 2013 election. However, rabbonim have learned that “The Social Economic Academy for Progressive Change in Israel” organization is behind Zernowitski, and the Social Economic Academy, a left-wing organization with ties to the New Israel Fund, as explained on the website.

This has rabbonim in Elad fearing Zernowitski may actually be seeking to advance here left-wing agenda under the guise of hosting a women’s rights event, using it as a platform to advance her political agenda, one they do not find in line with their hashkafa.

Organizers of the evening explain it is most unfortunate there are people trying to sabotage the evening because they are afraid the women will learn their rights and demand them in their respective place of work. They explain the evening is just what it is advertised to be, to enlighten women as to their rights and women unable to attend may have a pamphlet describing their rights sent to their home.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)