As of this printing, a large group Knesset Members, including also secular Knesset Members, is due to conduct an inspection in Kfar Saba as a result of last week’s hearing of the Knesset Educational Committee. The tour will be led by MK Zev Elkin, deputy chairman of the Knesset Educational Committee. Knesset Members from numerous parties are expected to participate.

At the Educational Committee hearing last week, MK Elkin gave the municipality one week to repair the situation and to come up with the necessary venues for the Shuvu school to operate legally, as well as to choose a school building currently not being utilized to be allocated to Shuvu. If not, he exhorted, the Knesset members would make an investigative trip to the municipality and would themselves inspect the empty school buildings in Kfar Saba.

To date, the mayor remains adamant, refusing to bow to the Knesset’s order. As a result, the MKs are conducting an inspection of the Shuvu school and three empty government school buildings in Kfar Saba (which could be utilized by Shuvu as per the Educational Committee’s order). The tour will end with a visit to the municipality and a showdown with the mayor.

A number of the mayor’s assistants have been advising him that it would be best to give in to the Knesset’s demands rather than face the looming inspection. Their position is that the inspection will lead to further pressure from the Knesset, and even potential criminal investigations. Nevertheless, Kfar Saba’s mayor, Mr. Yehuda Ben Chamu refuses to budge.

The mayor’s advisors are concerned that the MK’s probing might dig up a matter that they would prefer to remain in the past. When the original Kfar Saba Municipality held its meeting to declare the Shuvu school illegal, numerous statements were made which were outright racist and potentially illegal. However, following the meeting, when the statements were transcribed, someone from the municipality “altered” those transcripts so they wouldn’t appear as damaging. Tampering with official transcripts is a criminal act. As such, powers that be in the municipality are eager to do away with the spotlight currently being pointed at the municipality. However, the mayor has been rejecting their advice to capitulate.

Numerous community leaders, members of the media, leaders in the educational field, and concerned citizens will be accompanying the Knesset Members on this historic visit. Being that the Knesset Educational Committee has taken this issue so seriously, they’ve invited the press to join in on this tour.

B’Tzedek, a project of Agudath Israel of America, has been assisting Shuvu and monitoring the situation in this ongoing battle ever since the school was founded three years ago. However, when the developments became more severe, their involvement took on a stronger role. Representatives of B’Tzedek will also take part in this tour.

The Kfar Saba Municipality, and Mayor Yehuda Ben Chamu, have inundated with faxes and emails from concerned Torah Jews in the United States and Canada asking the mayor not to shut down the Shuvu school. These letters have had a profound effect on many municipality employees, causing them to rethink their position. Likewise, these letters have provided much-needed Chizuk to Shuvu employees and parents, who have been waging this battle with the municipality for the past three year – all they want is a Torah education for their children.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of such an undertaking. Forces in the municipality seem to have dug their heels in for a tough and long battle. For the first time in history, the Knesset Educational Committee has come out unanimously in support of Shuvu, vowing to see this thru to the bitter end. The battle lines have been drawn. At this point, neither side is willing to back down.

One thing is certain, all the MKs vow that the Shuvu school in Kfar Saba will open, and no governmental power will keep it from continuing to do its good work.

Everyone  is still urged to send a fax or email to Mr. Yehuda Ben-Chamu to express their feelings on this matter. The mayor’s fax number is 011-972-9-765-9555 and his email is: [email protected]. Please email a copy to [email protected] as well. A massive response from concerned individuals will help ensure the school’s survival.