High Court Justice Edmond Levy stated “a comprehensive probe of the operating of Chinuch Atzmai is in order and better earlier than later,” the daily Yisrael HaYom reports.
The court responded to a petition filed by Ovadia Ben-Nun, who is seeking to be reinstated as the principal of the Sinai Torani School in Yavne.
In January 2004, Ben-Nun was suspended by a Chinuch Atzmai inspector for failing to report an ongoing romance between a teacher and a member of the administrative staff. The two were according to the report conducting themselves unacceptably within the confines of the Torani school.
Ben-Nun explained his reasoning for not divulging the romance, adding he was dismissed illegally, explaining a principal must have a hearing and he cannot just be terminated without due process. He states that Chinuch Atzmai officials told him he would not be reinstated until instructions to do so were received from Maran Rav Shteinman Shlita.
Ben-Nun turned to a labor court, claiming his dismissal was illegal, and the court ruled to reinstate him. Chinuch Atzmai turned to the National Labor Court, appealing the lower court’s decision. The court accepted the appeal in part, instructing Chinuch Atzmai to reinstate him as a principal, but in a different school. Ben-Nun then turned to the High Court to appeal, but the court decided the National Labor Court decision stands.
While the court did not reverse the National Labor Court’s ruling, Justice Levy called on Chinuch Atzmai to get its house in order and comply with nation’s regulatory system and laws.
Deputy Education Minister R’ Meir Porush expressed criticism regarding Justice Levy’s anti-chareidi education position, stating he comments against Chinuch Atzmai represent “verbal abuse”. Porush added that with his remarks, the judge joins the prevalent anti-chareidi sentiment in Israel.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
Is this the famous Chinuch Atzmai school in Yavne which has been supported by the Lakewood community for so many years?
The principal of that school is a bona fide hero who has implemented numerous after-hours programs, Shabbatons, home visitations and more in an effort to help the families of his school grow in yiddishkeit along with his students.
Also, why fire the principal over the inappropriate behavior of others? Send the administrative staffer and the teacher packing if need be, but why punish the entire school by ousting the principal?
By the way, did we really need to know about the “Romeo and Juliet” aspect in this article? Couldn’t it have just noted “inappropriate behavior” or something like that. Remember, plenty of children read this site!