Emmanuel, Israel - School Fined $1,350 a Day for Discriminating Against Sephardim |
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News Source: Haaretz
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Archived Photos Israeli school girlsEmmanuel, Israel - The ultra-Orthodox network that runs the Beit Yaakov girls school in the West Bank settlement of Immanuel must pay NIS 5,000 for every day it continues to violate an August court order requiring it to eliminate any vestige of ethnic discrimination at the school, the High Court of Justice ruled Wednesday.
Seventy-four girls, mostly of Ashkenazi origin, have been studying in an adjacent unauthorized school since the court, along with the Education Ministry, called on the school to stop holding separate classes for Ashkenazi and Sephardi students.
Wednesday’s ruling came in response to a petition by the head of Noar Kahalacha, an organization that combats anti-Sephardi discrimination, accusing the school of contempt of court. The High Court said the school had authorized the girls’ absence.
 Noar Kahalacha lawyer Aviad Hacohen called implementation of the court’s ruling “an important test of the rule of law.”
“It is hoped that the parents of the students and the teachers and all the others involved in the improper discrimination come to their senses,” he said.
No response was available from the ultra-Orthodox education network.
The court has scheduled a hearing with the parents of the 74 girls, who will be asked to explain why they should not be viewed as accessories to the violation of the earlier order. They will also be asked whether furniture and equipment from the Beit Yaakov school is being used at the unauthorized institution and whether teachers from Beit Yaakov are being employed, either directly or indirectly, at the new school.
The school administration and municipal council have refused to get involved in proceedings against the parents, prompting the Education Ministry to file a complaint with the police contending that the new arrangement is a violation of the compulsory education law. Several weeks ago the ministry also ordered the unauthorized school closed.
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Read Comments (30) — Post Yours »
1
Apr 07, 2010 at 01:40 PM Shimon Says:Report as Inappropriate
I can understand teaching Halacha in separate classes, but everything else is usually pure sinas chinam.
This was my experience when learning in an Israeli yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel.(and this was a mainstream right wing yeshiva)
2
Apr 07, 2010 at 01:43 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why cant each keep to his own?
The Sfardim should be proud of their heritage and the Askanazim should not be forced to live with a very different and at sometimes noisy culture.
3
Apr 07, 2010 at 02:23 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This whole affair and the school group's failure to take action is a real chilul hashem and perpetuates the terrible and continuing discrimination against sephardim in EY. They should also fine each of the parents until they submit to the Court's order. There is no excuse for yidden to treat other yidden as if they were some second class, inferior breed.
4
Apr 07, 2010 at 02:53 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
When a SECULAR highest court of Israel has to fight discrimination in ORTHODOX yeshivos in THE Holy Land, you know that Moshiach is NOT going to come anytime soon, probably never if this type of cultural and institutional sinas chinam has been accepted in frum communities for hundreds of years. This is not against Jew v. Arab, secular v. orthodox, it's hatred between one Torah observing Jews v. another Torah observing Jews.
This school board and community should be ashamed of itself because they are mocking Torah with their false daily facades and the empty crying on TishaBav about destruction of Beis Hamikdash due to sinas chinam.
5
Apr 07, 2010 at 02:55 PM HaNavon Says:Report as Inappropriate
baruch hashem! let me tell you something, yes it's true that there are differences in culture between mizrachi, chareidi, sfardi, felashi, jews, but this is all meaningless in the end of the day. we're all jews and we're facing a cold and cruel world that dislikes us all equally. the last thing we need is sinas chinam in the name of torah, being spewed from the mouths of "Rabbis".
g'loibst mir, it didn't work in america when german jews, lithuanian jews, poilishe jews, russian jews and galitzianers (even though we galitzianers are better) didn't get along. only when we all went to the same schools and yeshivas did american jewry become a sight to behold, a unified front of kugel and chulent!
6
Apr 07, 2010 at 03:00 PM Chaim Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why cant each keep to his own?
The Sfardim should be proud of their heritage and the Askanazim should not be forced to live with a very different and at sometimes noisy culture. ”
Why should we sefardim have to deal with your false sense of superiority and relatively new minhagim. Our are original and authentic.
7
Apr 07, 2010 at 03:02 PM GS Says:Report as Inappropriate
I seriously doubt that Moshe Rabbeynu or the shvatim for that matter were Ashkenazim. That great culture was developed over 1,000 years in Germany largely (Artscroll has a new book on it). But it was preceded by an older Mizrachi nusach which is more akin to what Jews followed before the churban of the Beit (Beis, if you prefer) HaMikdash. Ashkenazim chap a reyn on Sefardi and Mizrachi roots. Not the other way around.
8
Apr 07, 2010 at 03:22 PM Truth Hurts Says:Report as Inappropriate
I hate to say this but it is true. All those whom think this Sinas Chinom have one thing in common. They have never had a child in an Israeli school. I have 2.
9
Apr 07, 2010 at 03:28 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why cant each keep to his own?
The Sfardim should be proud of their heritage and the Askanazim should not be forced to live with a very different and at sometimes noisy culture. ”
Because it would suggest that there is a difference between Jews and socialist zionism doesnt like emes!
10
Apr 07, 2010 at 03:35 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Great, so now the school will close down, and the sefaradi girls won't have any school! (The Ashkenazim have left already, and the court wants the school to force them back.)
By the way, don't Ashkenazi and Sefaradi girls pray and learn in a different pronounciation?
11
Apr 07, 2010 at 04:16 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why cant each keep to his own?
The Sfardim should be proud of their heritage and the Askanazim should not be forced to live with a very different and at sometimes noisy culture. ”
did har sinai consist of separate areas for sfardim and ashkenazinm? both said naseh venishma the same way and both accepted the torah the same way what we call moshe meesena not some made up toras lukshin of sinas cheenam .. its no wonder mosheeach is not here
12
Apr 07, 2010 at 05:17 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why should we sefardim have to deal with your false sense of superiority and relatively new minhagim. Our are original and authentic. ”
If so, why are you so desperate to get your kids into our schools. So desperate that you went to a secular "apikorsish" court with not a single shomer shabbat to complain. Why didn't you call them to din torah?
If you are really so superior and authentic why aren't we fighting to get our kids in to your schools? Do you have any schools?
13
Apr 07, 2010 at 05:20 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I hate to say this but it is true. All those whom think this Sinas Chinom have one thing in common. They have never had a child in an Israeli school. I have 2. ”
Quite right! I am with you on this 100%! It is sinah but certainly not sinas chinom.
If the sefardim really want their girls to have the chareidi education we ashkezim pioneered at great sacrifice let them make their own schools and not take us to courts of kofrim to punish us.
14
Apr 07, 2010 at 05:48 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I hate to say this but it is true. All those whom think this Sinas Chinom have one thing in common. They have never had a child in an Israeli school. I have 2. ”
Truth hurts, please tell us more
15
Apr 07, 2010 at 06:52 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ did har sinai consist of separate areas for sfardim and ashkenazinm? both said naseh venishma the same way and both accepted the torah the same way what we call moshe meesena not some made up toras lukshin of sinas cheenam .. its no wonder mosheeach is not here ”
Every shevet had his own derech in avodas Hashem.
16
Apr 07, 2010 at 08:10 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Why should we sefardim have to deal with your false sense of superiority and relatively new minhagim. Our are original and authentic. ”
Chaim, as original and authentic as you think your sefardi minhagim are, surely the time spent in Arab lands must have had some impact on your minhagim and, therefore, they are not quite as authentic as you wish.
For example, the sefardi cholam is pronounced almost like an Ashkenazi kamatz. But most puzzling to me is why Sefardim make no distinction between kamatz and patach. (And the latest shtick in portions of Israel where some Israelis inexplicably leave out (i.e. do not pronounce) the yud when it is at the beginning of the word, also seems disturbing.) Why would a person with an ashkenaz mesorah want his children to learn a havarah that is different than their own, especially if that mesorah is less precise, too.
May Eliyahu HaNavi come and set the record straight for all of Klal Yisrael bivias goel tzedek, speedily in our times, Amen.
17
Apr 07, 2010 at 11:00 PM green Says:Report as Inappropriate
i teach a class of both ashkanzic and sefardic children and there is nothing more beautiful, or more jewish. we are the jewish nateion - children of all different backgrounds and minhagim....as the teacher i teach the minhagim that sefardim follow and that ashkanazim follow ...it brings a love an appreication for all things jewish , for all the mitzvos and on how all the yidden celebrate Hashem's commandments.
18
Apr 07, 2010 at 11:29 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Chaim, as original and authentic as you think your sefardi minhagim are, surely the time spent in Arab lands must have had some impact on your minhagim and, therefore, they are not quite as authentic as you wish.
For example, the sefardi cholam is pronounced almost like an Ashkenazi kamatz. But most puzzling to me is why Sefardim make no distinction between kamatz and patach. (And the latest shtick in portions of Israel where some Israelis inexplicably leave out (i.e. do not pronounce) the yud when it is at the beginning of the word, also seems disturbing.) Why would a person with an ashkenaz mesorah want his children to learn a havarah that is different than their own, especially if that mesorah is less precise, too.
May Eliyahu HaNavi come and set the record straight for all of Klal Yisrael bivias goel tzedek, speedily in our times, Amen. ”
2 comments.
1) Authenticity of sefardic minhag, interpretation of halachah, and havarah: the fact remains while Ashkenazi Jewry was being decimated and harassed in Europe, the Sefardim led lives of relative comfort without the continual trouble that plagued the Ashkenazim. The end result is an imperfect Ashkenazi mesorah beleaguered with inaccuracies. What were they to do when an entire town was almost killed out and the 5 remaining Jews remembered doing something. Those inaccurate memories then became minhag/halachah. This is not an opinion. Its a fact. If we really wanted to see what minhagim were true we should look to the Yemenite community. isolated and left alone for hundreds of years. 2) I hope someone is writing this down. I hope someone is documenting all of this because the way I see this going, the only record of our existence is going to be a book.Or an essay like Eichah. We read Navi and wonder aloud didn't anyone see the churban coming? Didn't they see? We read Navi and are amazed at the tragedies that befell us. I hope someone is writing this down.Maybe some other generation will look back and ask Didn' they see it coming? and actually learn from our mistakes.
19
Apr 07, 2010 at 11:40 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Chaim, as original and authentic as you think your sefardi minhagim are, surely the time spent in Arab lands must have had some impact on your minhagim and, therefore, they are not quite as authentic as you wish.
For example, the sefardi cholam is pronounced almost like an Ashkenazi kamatz. But most puzzling to me is why Sefardim make no distinction between kamatz and patach. (And the latest shtick in portions of Israel where some Israelis inexplicably leave out (i.e. do not pronounce) the yud when it is at the beginning of the word, also seems disturbing.) Why would a person with an ashkenaz mesorah want his children to learn a havarah that is different than their own, especially if that mesorah is less precise, too.
May Eliyahu HaNavi come and set the record straight for all of Klal Yisrael bivias goel tzedek, speedily in our times, Amen. ”
I don't know, #16, Eliyahu HaNavi may be afraid to bring moshiach at this time. The Chassidim will reject him if he does not wear a Shtreimel and the litvish will reject him if he does. Both will reject him if he if sefardi and heaven help him if he is an ethiopian Jew.....
20
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:02 AM How Says:Report as Inappropriate
Why force? Just pay each student a voucher and let them go or start a school where they are wanted?
21
Apr 08, 2010 at 01:20 AM Charlie Hall Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ If so, why are you so desperate to get your kids into our schools. So desperate that you went to a secular "apikorsish" court with not a single shomer shabbat to complain. Why didn't you call them to din torah?
If you are really so superior and authentic why aren't we fighting to get our kids in to your schools? Do you have any schools? ”
Rabbi Yaakov Yosef personally authorized the legal action in the secular courts.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3321440,00.html
Also, I think that several of the Justices of Israel's Supreme Court are indeed shomer Shabat; I have read that is the case for Justices Levy, Rubinstein, and Hendel.
22
Apr 08, 2010 at 07:08 AM Truth Hurts Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Truth hurts, please tell us more ”
Lets just say there is nothing wrong with different cultures---but they are indeed different. The Shevatim were united but lived separately. I honestly don't mean this as any put down on either culture but in my experience we would be far better served if they were slightly apart.
23
Apr 08, 2010 at 07:15 AM Motti Says:Report as Inappropriate
All I can say, again, is that it is sad that there are Yidden that feel that they have to discriminate against their fellow brothers and sisters, just for having a different background!
They should be ashamed of calling themselves orthodox Jews or even Jews!
All the mitvos one does are worthless if he or she, on the other side, persecute fellow brothers and sisters, thinking they are worth less then them.
Shame on you all! It's time to make a cheshbon haNefesh and account for your behaviour, demanding forgiveness for your ignorance from Hashem and the poor victimes!
Where are the Rabbonim? or are we really in the generation of Erev Rav, where there are no real Rabbonim willing to speak up for true Torah values?
24
Apr 08, 2010 at 08:02 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Rabbi Yaakov Yosef personally authorized the legal action in the secular courts.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3321440,00.html
Also, I think that several of the Justices of Israel's Supreme Court are indeed shomer Shabat; I have read that is the case for Justices Levy, Rubinstein, and Hendel. ”
I am #12. Of course I did not mean any individual judge. I (or you) have no way of knowing how they conduct their private lives. I meant that sh'miras torah and mitzvot is not prerequisite to be a judge in Israel and they (the courts) certainly rule regularly k'neged hatorah.
I don't know R' Yaakov Yossef but have a look at Choshen Mishpat 26 and see what he and ALL the poskim say about going to secular courts.
And my primary question hasn't been answered. Why don't they go to Din Torah?
25
Apr 08, 2010 at 11:49 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Quite right! I am with you on this 100%! It is sinah but certainly not sinas chinom.
If the sefardim really want their girls to have the chareidi education we ashkezim pioneered at great sacrifice let them make their own schools and not take us to courts of kofrim to punish us. ”
You make racism sound so FRUM!
26
Apr 08, 2010 at 12:25 PM clear thinker Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I am #12. Of course I did not mean any individual judge. I (or you) have no way of knowing how they conduct their private lives. I meant that sh'miras torah and mitzvot is not prerequisite to be a judge in Israel and they (the courts) certainly rule regularly k'neged hatorah.
I don't know R' Yaakov Yossef but have a look at Choshen Mishpat 26 and see what he and ALL the poskim say about going to secular courts.
And my primary question hasn't been answered. Why don't they go to Din Torah? ”
Perhaps because they would call the school to a sefardi din torah, while the school would only go to an askanazi. You dismiss the ruling by R'Yaakov Youssef. Why? Do you not think it is incumbent on you to check his reasoning? Or is it because you don't want to know the reason?
27
Jun 06, 2010 at 06:50 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I'm amazed that you are so nice to each other. Say the truth out-loud - there is racism in the Jewish communities and this is just one example. Many of you will die and not let their son marry a sfaradiya... it is nothing more than a joke to me.
The real historical jewish community was nothing like we are today. But one thing is for sure, they were much more similar to the sfaradim or the yamanim. They definitely didn't have blue eyes or blond hair.
Wake up, we are all the same.
28
Jun 15, 2010 at 09:13 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
I don't get it, here in the USA we have separate school for the Sephardi and Ashkenazi students, they have many differences in the way they live according to Halocha, i.e. eating rice on Pesach etc. so why can't it be understood in Israel that they need separate schools just like in the rest of the world.
Next: who gives the right to the Israeli secular court system to advise the religious Jews as how to educate their children? the court is governed ONLY by those who could not care less about the Torah laws, and the community in Emanuel are Torah observers, the right thing would be to put this situation in the hands of the Gedolim and ad-hear to their Psak.
I think what the Israeli government is trying to do here, is the following; they are trying to get their hands into the religious schooling system (boys and girls) and slowly sway them from the Torah way of life, as the government has done in the past, It's scare but if the court wins on this one, they will continue to destroy all the religious schools in Israel,give them some time and the job will get done, the only choice will be is to close ALL of the religious schools who are supported by the state of Israel.
29
Jun 16, 2010 at 04:18 PM Charlie Hall Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ I am #12. Of course I did not mean any individual judge. I (or you) have no way of knowing how they conduct their private lives. I meant that sh'miras torah and mitzvot is not prerequisite to be a judge in Israel and they (the courts) certainly rule regularly k'neged hatorah.
I don't know R' Yaakov Yossef but have a look at Choshen Mishpat 26 and see what he and ALL the poskim say about going to secular courts.
And my primary question hasn't been answered. Why don't they go to Din Torah? ”
The father of one of the girls rejected for admission asked for Din Torah. The school refused. R'Yosef then authorized him to go to the secular courts.
Had the school followed the halachah we would not be in this situation.
30
Jun 17, 2010 at 12:30 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ i teach a class of both ashkanzic and sefardic children and there is nothing more beautiful, or more jewish. we are the jewish nateion - children of all different backgrounds and minhagim....as the teacher i teach the minhagim that sefardim follow and that ashkanazim follow ...it brings a love an appreication for all things jewish , for all the mitzvos and on how all the yidden celebrate Hashem's commandments. ”
Beautiful. This is a very sensible voice of sense and truth. We are all Jews.