Over 150 directors of mosdos met in Yerushalayim this week to discuss the future of their talmidei torah, to determine how the recognize institutions may continue receiving state funding while maintaining an independence regarding their education curriculum.

Rav Bentzion Kugler of the Talmud Torah Chavei Daas spoke, explaining most directors deal with bureaucratic issues, but this is not a purely bureaucratic matter, warning any additional cuts in funding for talmidei torah will have catastrophic results.

Rav Gavriel Kassover of the Chachmas Sholom talmidei torah read a letter of chizuk from Maran Hagon Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman, and he and many others had only words of praise for the misirus nefesh exhibited by Deputy Education Minister R’ Meir Porush, who constantly works as a true shaliach for all mosdos.

Attorney Uri Kedar, who represents the mosdos in the High Court of Justice spoke of the hostile attitude that exists, adding that in a proper society, the nation’s High Court would act as the protector of recognized institutions of learning, to ensure they receive a fair slice of the budget, but in this case, due to attitudes that exist, the court prefers to accept the position of those seeking to further limit funding for Chinuch Atzmai and similar funding.

Rav Porush also spoke, detailing ongoing efforts on behalf of mosdos chinch.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)