A compromise has been accepted by the sides in the machlokes surrounding the Jerusalem City Hall planned eviction of the Sanhedrin Talmid Torah to make room for the Beis Yaakov Yoshon, with the latter in dire need of addition space. The sides were last in court, and the court was critical of Jerusalem City Hall for not involving the parents and staff of the talmid torah in its plans to create additional space for the Beis Yaakov. The plan proposed by the city was held up when Interior Minister Aryeh Deri gave the word not to issue the required permits, standing in defense of the Sephardi talmid torah that was being ousted. Prominent Sephardi posek Rabbi David Yosef Shlita called to do everything possible to block the ousting of the talmid torah.

It now appears however that the machlokes is a thing of the past as on Sunday evening, the eve of 13 Elul, Interior Ministry Director-General Mordechai Cohen and Jerusalem Municipality Director-General Amnon Merchav announced Minister Deri is now willing to sign the necessary permits to the Sanhedrin building. For now, the Beis Yaakov will use the first floor of the seminary and all other floors will remain in the hands of the talmid torah. Simultaneously, a replacement venue for the talmid torah is being sought.

Degel Hatorah rabbonim and persons close to HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita became involved in recent days, leading to the agreement. This includes Ponevezh Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita.

Once Deri signs on the papers, as part of the multi-faceted agreement, the Yemin Hashem Sephardi Talmid Torah will receive a building in the Romeima neighborhood of Jerusalem, a building that is being evacuated by Siach Sod, and the latter will relocate to a building in Bayit Vegan.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)