3 Responses

1. A brief synopsis of Attorney Mordechai Bass’ evaluation of the Beis Yaakov Emanuel case:

   “On January 28 2008 I was invited to evaluate the complaints of ethnic discrimination made against the Beis Yaakov Emanuel administration. I have thoroughly reviewed relevant material … and have met with administrators from the ministry of education, the chinuch atzmai (independent religious schools’ network, which Beis Yaakov is under), and I visited the two schools in question.”

   “The percentage of Ashkenazi families in the original school is 23%, and in the new (Chasidi) school, 73%.”

   (Footnote at bottom: “Such figures are not totally accurate – firstly, the schools do not note the ethnicity of their students in the registration – and this is a good thing! Secondly – this figure was…partially based on the tenor of the family name, which can also be inaccurate.” )

   Were any families refused admission to the Beis Yaakov Chasidi, Emanuel?

   “All parents wanting to sign up their daughters to the new school, and were ready to accept upon themselves the school’s conditions, were accepted (lit. “not refused”). Since there was no rejection (of any applicants), where is the discrimination?”

   “A varied population dwells in Emanuel – Chassidic, Lithuanian, Sephardic, some families have been Haredi for generations, some for one generation, some are newly religious for a few years. In larger towns, this variety is expressed in a variety of schools. Until this year there was only one (Haredi) school in the town.” ( )

   Attorney Bass notes the tensions between the stricter, sheltered factions and the more open, lenient factions.

   Attorney Bass notes the founding of the Sephardic girls’ school in Emanuel, Beit Rachel and Leah, under the Mayan-Shas network, which at the time had only a small first grade. (My note )

   He notes the various options that the parents explored – having different tracts in the same building, or opening a new school. In the end, a new school was founded.

   Physical separation between the two schools – fact or fiction?

   “…photographers claimed that the cloth that was placed on the (pre-existing) fence prevented the girls from seeing each other. This is not true. Only part of the fence was covered. The yard surrounds the school from four directions, and the girls (from both schools) are able to see and play with each other. The (media) portrayal of two completely separate sections of the school yard…is not true.”

   “I spoke to the plaintiffs and asked for one instance of parents who asked to register their daughter and was refused and they had no such case.

   “The division was not ethnic, it was religious. I am convinced that there is no ethnic discrimination.”

   Conclusion

   “When ethnic discrimination actually occurs, we must combat it with all our might. I express my sorrow about complaints like these – thrown in the air – that increase hatred among Israel , and are totally baseless.” ()

   Signed

   Attorney Mordechai Bass

2. The above document is part of the court record, in Hebrew. If you would like a copy, ask this website to forward your request to me.

   I live in Emanuel.

3. Synopsis of letter from Rachel Guveri, head of education, town council of Emanuel, to Emanuel’s mayor Ezra Gerashi, on the Beis Yaakov Emanuel

   December 2009

   As my duty as head of education, I check on the schools and kindergartens. I have visited the Beis Yaakov School five times this year.

   Concerning allegations of discrimination that have arisen:

   1. There is no separation wall in the school.
   2. There is one uniform dress code for the whole school.
   3. There are no separate recesses.
   4. The yard is shared; the girls (from both schools) play together.

   The students are happy with the situation.

   1. Registration – each family was given a choice at the beginning of the year which school to choose from – Chasidi or general.
   2. Prayer – each girl prays according to her home custom. In the first grade they receive a prayer book from the Sephard tradition.
   3. Girls learn the gamut of Jewish law, both Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions, as a seamless whole.
   4. Both schools learn the same curriculum.
   5. The rules for both are the same.
   6. There are teachers who teach in both schools.

   I see that the girls are happy in these schools. (Additionally) the new Mayan-Shas (Beit Rachel and Leah) school has a nice atmosphere and the girls are happy.

   There are schools in Emanuel for all to choose from for their individual needs.

   The directive to unite the two Beis Yaakovs has opposition from parents in both schools.

   I recommend allowing (the Beis Yaakovs) to remain two separate tracts – Chasidi and general, this is the first preference.

   (For original court documents contact me via this website)

   I live in Emanuel