Hundreds of principals of the Bnei Yosef education system are taking part in a seminar in the Kinar Hotel in northern Israel. Among the participants is Shas party leader Minister Aryeh Deri and MKs from the party.

HaGaon HaRav Shimon Ba’adani, a member of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael addressed the forum, praising the growth of the Sephardi bnei torah community including talmidei torah in the Bnei Yosef network. Rav Ba’adani credits the work of HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L for today’s success, citing the late gadol hador was moser nefesh for the education of the next generation. Rav Ba’adani stated that according to reports he received, the Sephardi bnei torah community increased 5% over the Ashkenazim.

The rav decried any and all efforts by “outsiders” to become involved in the education of the children, stating their standard are very high and external interference would not be tolerated on any level.

Deri stated that their hard work and determination have yielded results, as is evident by the growth of the system and the quality of the talmidim.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)