On Wednesday morning, 5 Cheshvan, there was somewhat of an unfamiliar sight at Ponevezh Yeshiva, a visit from retired Justice Yaakov Turkel. Turkel is the court-appointed arbitrator towards ending the long-standing dispute in the yeshiva.
Turkel was appointed by a Tel Aviv court, accepted by both parties to negotiate an agreement. He arrived on Wednesday escorted by attorney Ze’ev Sharaf, who represents Rabbi Eliezer Kahanaman, and attorney Shmuel Markowitz, who represents the other faction.
The machlokes began years ago on Simchas Torah, and over the years, it has led to physical violence. The crux of the dispute is between the heirs of Rav Avraham Kahanaman, Rav Eliezer Kahanaman, his brother-in-law and sister and Rav Markowitz and his wife Tzipporah. Each side believes it should be in charge of the yeshiva, property and hashkofa. In short, the dispute surrounds who will control Ponevezh.
Over the years, the case was brought before HaRav Chaim Gedalya Simberlist, an av beis din. In addition, a decision by Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita was met with an opposing decision by other Gedolei Yisrael Shlita. In the interim, the dispute has been officially ongoing in the Tel Aviv court. It is a known fact that the Gedolei Yisrael Shlita remain divided in the case as well.
As the case moves along in the secular court, the parties agreed to accept Turkel as a mediator. It is reported that to date, Turkel, who received an equal sum from both factions, has invested hundreds of hours into learning and studying the facts towards arbitrating a solution.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Interesting that R’ Shmuel Markovitz’s attorney’s name is also Shmuel Markowitz?
This is a typical case among heirs to a yeshiva. Perhaps in the future,,heirs should be appointed during the lifetime of the Rosh Yeshiva and noted by them.
Gdwilling, a Kiddush Hashem should come from this mediation.
am i the only one who finds this story very disturbing. How sad.
#3 This is a very complicated case; the article is doesn’t go into the details. The fact that gedolei Yisrael are divided on who has the stronger claim means that both sides have very strong claims. What is especially sad here is that this must be settled in a secular court and that both sides could not agree to be bound by the psak of an agreed-upon bein din.