While the 5776 school year is upon us, three schools in Betar Illit are striking on Sunday. The new school year began on Sunday 5 Elul for the Chinuch Atzmai schools that are recognized but not officially state schools. Hence, in most chareidi communities in Israel school began as planned. In Bnei Brak, MK Moshe Gafne officially opened the new Kahaneman School.

In Elad, the machlokes surrounding girls who were not accepted to ninth grade continues. In Yerushalayim, the principal of the Seminar HaYoshon awaits a hearing with Education Ministry officials over his refusal to open his doors to all who apply. He insists he has cut class sizes and that is why he cannot accept all the girls. Ministry officials view the situation differently, as one of discrimination against Sephardi girls.

In Betar there is a storm over the opening of a Beis Yaakov School for girls of the Slonim Chassidus, eliciting anger in the litvish community. Three schools in Betar did not open their doors on Sunday morning, including Naos Rachel, Ahavas Chessed and Ateres Siach due to the tensions surrounding the opening of the Slonim Beis Yaakov.

Teachers in the other schools in Betar who are members of Slonim have been informed if they take their children out of the mixed schools to place them in Slonim they will be fired. They were told that they cannot earn a living from these schools while deciding to send their daughters to the exclusive Slonim Beis Yaakov.

There are 40 first graders who are still not assigned to a school. Betar education officials promise the situation will be rectified by the end of the day Sunday.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)