Betar Illit Deputy Mayor Benjamin Herschler, who holds the education portfolio in the city, allegedly obligated teachers to transfer 20 percent of their salary from the Ma’ayan Torah Education network. Thus, R. the principal of the “Reisheet Chachma ” school in the lawsuit filed against him.

R. was recently dismissed from her post as principal of the school after a confrontation with Herschler, but the Labor Court accepted a petition filed by attorney Avi Biton and froze the dismissal. R. served as director of the institution for seven years. The Ma’ayan Torah Education network. In the petition filed by attorney Biton in the Jerusalem Labor Court, it is alleged that since the school was founded, Herschler ran the school illegally. It is alleged that he paid the wages of teachers in cash, and forced them to employ his close associates and family members, without professional considerations. Biton does not spare the accusations against Herschler, accusing him of theft, extortion and threats against teachers.

According to a Kikar Shabbos report, the prosecution reveals, in his words, what happened behind the scenes at the prestigious Reisheet Chachma school when he was transferred to the Ma’ayan Torah Education network. According to him, Herschler met “with all the school teachers personally and demanded that they return to him personally, 20% of the salary they receive on the pay slip.”

Biton, who represents the school principal, claims that Herschler “put pressure and threats on the teachers and their husbands, and explicitly threatened that anyone who refused to give him the amount he demanded would find herself outside the school.”

Three years ago, the running of the school was handed over to the Shas-affiliated education network. However, according to Principal R. Herschler was aware in the fourth year, she would receive tenure in Mayan HaChinuch and therefore “he began to worry months ahead of time, before the end of the school year, realizing if she received tenure it would further limit his control over the school.

Another employee gave similar statements regarding Herschler as to how he told him he was going to profit on the school. R. adds that weeks ago, representatives visited her home in Jerusalem, insisting she sign a document that would leave her without authority or rights. R. reports she refused to sign. Simultaneously, Herschler turned to a local court and hired the services of attorney Rav Tzvi Braverman, seeking to make sure R. does not work under Herschler at all, but to remain an employer of the Shas education network. The following day she met with the CEO of the Shas network, Chaim Biton, who instructed her no to sign any document, assuring her that he has her back.

Simultaneously, Herschler turned to a local court to restrict R’s authority until the matter could be adjudicated in a court. Ten days ago, Herschler phoned R. to inform her she is fired.

Biton adds that during a meeting intended to bridge the gap between them, Rabbi Braverman said, “I know that this is illegal”. Needless to say, the sides did not reach an understanding after R. refused to sign any papers. Herschler has since released a document stating he has authority in the school and will make any and all decisions regarding the school.

Mayan Chinuch appears to be standing firmly behind R., against the deputy mayor. At present, R. is not dismissed as per the Jerusalem Labor Court and the deputy mayor may be facing criminal charges for his alleged illegal activities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)