Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael Convenes

The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael convened last night to discuss the urgent matters of religious persecution in Eretz Yisrael that are threatening the Torah world. Specifically, they discussed the mandatory draft law, attempts to interfere in the curriculum of chareidi elementary and high schools, and budget cuts to the Torah shiurim networks of Torah V’Yahadus L’Am and other organizations that disseminate Torah throughout the country.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the World Executive Committee of Agudas Yisrael in Yerushalayim. It was attended by the Rebbes of Ger, Belz, Vizhnitz, Slonim, Sanz, Boyan, Biala, Modzhitz and Sadigura, shlita.

The discussion centered on the threat of the mandatory draft law that is hovering over lomdei Torah. The Israeli government’s war against anything holy to the Jewish nation and the Torah, those who learn Torah and chareidi families, is manifested in its attempts to negate the right to learn Torah. The scheme is to forcibly draft those who learn full time, and to declare them criminals and repeal their basic civilian rights if they don’t enlist.

The Gedolim also discussed the issue of Torah education and girls’ high schools, where the government wants to interfere in the curriculum content and violate their independence.

Another issue that was presented was the dire straits of the Torah V’Yahadut L’Am organization, and others that disseminate Torah, as the result of severe budget cuts that are threatening to cancel Torah shiurim all over the country.

The meeting was also attended by educators and public figures who presented information on the relevant issues, including the director of the Vaad Hayeshivos, Harav Chaim Kaufman; the heads of Igud Haseminarim and of the Bais Yaakov high schools; Rabbi Chanoch Zeibert, Mayor of Bnei Brak; Rabbi Yaakov Welcher; Rabbi Binyamin Scharansky and Harav Yehoshua Fink; the heads of the shiurim organizations, Harav Yaakov Lezerovitz, Harav Naftali Tzvi Porush, Harav Yisrael Moshe Friedman and Harav Aharon Levi.

The various decrees are being planned and executed in the central and local governments, in the legal system, headed by the High Court, and in the media, which incites constantly against the chareidi community, delegitimizing and defaming it.

The Gedolim discussed a range of vital issues and ways to ensure that the rights of the chareidi community are preserved.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the January 15th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.