A major event was held on Wednesday evening 24 Tishrei on behalf of Yeshivas Ateret Shlomo headed by Rav Shalom Be’er Sorotzkin. The event according to many on the morning after was ill planned as many prominent rabbonim were unable to gain access despite being asked to attend. Some are blaming the stadium officials in Holon while others prefer to place the blame on the shoulders of organizers.

PR agencies on Wednesday were blitzing the chareidi media, trying everything they knew to persuade news agencies to carry the event via a live link. They used terms including “unprecedented” and the “major event of our time” in efforts to persuade the news as to the significance of the event attended by Gedolei Yisrael Shlita and led by HaGaon HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman Shlita.

Organizers are publicly threatening to sue the stadium for the faux pas as the entrance dedicated to the rabbonim simply did not operate and many who bothered to commit to the event never actually succeeded in entering the stadium. Some are blaming members of the Yerushalmi faction of Degel for the mishap.

Ateret Shlomo officials are blaming the stadium officials for the colossal failure as literally dozens of roshei yeshiva were unable to enter. Others were compelled to wait outside in difficult conditions, including Rehovot Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Simcha HaKohen Kook Shlita and Rav Yaakov Hillel of Ahavas Shalom. Some rabbonim deiced to leave, while others including HaGaon HaRav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi Shlita managed to endure the pushing and shoving and eventually succeeded in entering. Rav Mizrachi also addressed the event.

Near the end of the program the emcee asked mechila from all of the rabbonim shlita for the unacceptable conditions and chain of events.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)