As is the case in many neighborhoods, Bnei Brak hosts a branch of the Shomrim, an organization dedicated to working with local police towards providing additional eyes and ears in the streets.
To the surprise of many, pashkavilim are posted throughout the city against the local branch, using scathing language against its volunteers, stating 99% of them are losers, people off the derech, people who desecrate Shabbos, stating that while at night they seek to apprehend the bad guy, during the day, they don’t learn or daven. The condemnation adds that everything these young folks learn is immediately broadcast on the internet, and there is no discretion regarding sensitive information, broadcasting private details of the lives of residents for all to see.
Parents are warned against reaching a point of “no return” regarding these lost souls, and everything must be done to protect the community and towards distancing the lost individuals from the community.
The Shomrim reject the criticism, explaining there are over 100 volunteers and the organization in Bnei Brak enjoys the blessing of prominent rabbonim, who continue to guide and direct them.
According to Kikar Shabbat, the Shomrim add that since they began operating in the city, the number of complaints from residents to City Hall and police have dropped dramatically due to the organization’s success.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
GO SHOMRIM, GO.
Crazy!! Even if some of these volunteers dont learn during the day why’s that a reason to be against the organization? Who knows…maybe this is what’s keeping them on the derech? I’m sure it makes them feel accomplished that they are working for the community. And I dread to think what some of these people who are against this organization do during their day, AND night!
Keep up your good work Shomrim!!
“The condemnation adds that everything these young folks learn is immediately broadcast on the internet, and there is no discretion regarding sensitive information, broadcasting private details of the lives of residents for all to see.”
That is the most telling line of the whole story. The leadership in Bnei Brak know that there are kids/adults who dont fit the mold for yeshiva life, there will always be cases of this. However when it comes to getting their dirty laundry aired, then they are all of the sudden concerned for these “lost souls”