To date, efforts towards compromise seem to have failed and once again and the leaders and challengers of the Chinuch Atzmai system find themselves back on the benches of the nation’s judicial system.

A five-page brief submitted to the court by Rav Avraham Lazerson addresses his claims that he should be recognized as a member of the governing body of the amutah, the non-profit.

At present, there are two recognized official members of the amutah, R’ Menachem Porush (Shlomei Emunim) and R’ Yitzchak Meir (Central faction), leading to a deadlock between the factions. Lazerson’s inclusion on the board would swing the majority rule away from the Porush family.

Unfortunately, it gets uglier, and a day ahead of Lazerson’s petition, Meir’s attorney, Yitzchak Meron sent a letter containing harsh accusations against R’ Porush, including the use of Chinuch Atzmai funds to pay for his legal fees, with Meir telling R’ Porush’s attorney that he favor’s Lazerson’s inclusion on the board [since this would give him, Meir, a majority in all decisions]. Meir’s attorney adds that his client wishes to tell the court that he supports the inclusion of Lazerson, especially since he alleges monetary improprieties.

He adds that Porush is not authorized to speak on behalf of the organization, and he abuses his power and is acting inappropriately. He adds in the letter to Porush’s attorney that his client prefers to address the matter at a din torah before a beis din but Porush refuses.

Regarding a decision by the Council of Torah Sages to launch a new amutah, he points out this is contrary to the decision by Justice Moshe Sobel, who demanded the deficiencies in the current structure be addressed and corrected, and not to launch a new non-profit.

For now, the mudslinging continues and time will tell which side emerges victorious in the latest round of Chinuch Atzmai’s power struggle.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)