Israel – Tens of Thousands of Charedim Rally for Right to Segregated Education [photos]

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    Israel – Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered in Jerusalem and in Bnei Brak on Thursday to support the right of Ashkenazi Hasidic parents to keep their children in classes segregated from their Mizrahi peers.

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    Ultra-Orthodox officials made a last-ditch effort on Wednesday to keep parents in the settlement of Immanuel from being arrested and jailed for refusing to implement a High Court of Justice ruling requiring the Ashkenazi and Mizrahi girls to study in the same classes.

    The parents were ordered to arrive at the Jerusalem police headquarters at 1 P.M. on Thursday to begin carrying out their prison terms. The parents did not fulfill that order, however, and police have asked the court to legally delay the sentencing until 5 P.M.

    The court had initially scheduled the sentencing to begin at 12 P.M., but postponed the commencement due to the mass protests expected in the city.

    The 43 families of the Ashkenazi girls seemed elated Wednesday by the prospect of their impending arrest and two-week jail term, which some called “a historic stand for the sanctification of the name of heaven.”

    The police have given a permit for a 20,000-strong demonstration in Jerusalem, to be led by Ashkenazi Haredi political and religious leaders. Thousands more gathered in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said about 100,000 people converged in downtown Jerusalem in support of the Ashkenazi parents. An additional 20,000 demonstrated in the central city of Bnei Brak.

    The numbers could far exceed the expected figure, though, to judge by the calls issued by heads of yeshivas and schools to cancel classes Thursday so students can attend the protest.

    A leading spokesman of Israel’s modern Orthodox stream on Thursday urged religious Zionists not to take part in the mass protests, regardless of the political price they may pay in the future for refusing to support the movement.

    “I cannot take part in the racism and discrimination that is taking place, which is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Rabbi Yuval Sherlo, who heads the joint army-yeshiva program in Petah Tikva.

    Religious Zionism must “return to its historic role” and bring both sides to a compromise. “It’s impossible to claim that this is Jewish law or that it is sanctifying the name of God,” he said.


    Even the spiritual leader of the Sephardi ultra-Orthodox Shas party, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, has come out against the petitioners seeking integration. He said they should not have taken the matter to the courts.

    Attempts to find a compromise were orchestrated Wednesday by former Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, who met in Jerusalem with the most prominent leader of the Ashkenazi community in the northern West Bank settlement of Immanuel – the Slonim grand rabbi, Shmuel Berezovsky.

    Deri is focusing his efforts on assuring compliance with the 2009 High Court ruling requiring the ultra-Orthodox Beit Yaakov school in Immanuel to make sure the Mizrahi students study with their Ashkenazi peers. Most of the students are Ashkenazi.

    The Ashkenazim have said they are not guilty of ethnic discrimination but are attempting to keep the Ashkenazi students from being influenced by those they consider to be less religious.

    Some have been discussing the possibility of building another school in Immanuel for next year – the fourth for Haredi elementary-age girls – that would give parents the autonomy to decide who should study with whom. The High Court petitioners, chief among them Yoav Laloum, said they did not oppose the opening of another school, but the compromise has not really been embraced by all the parties involved.

    Various political officials have been meeting in an effort to resolve the issue. MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism ) met Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman. Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman met with Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush is expected to meet Thursday with President Shimon Peres to ask him to pardon the parents.

    The State Prosecutor’s Office might seek the arrest of only one parent rather than the whole group.

    But even as politicians held talks in an effort to resolve the issue quietly, many Haredim were gearing up for the demonstration. On Wednesday, the Slonim beit midrash was full of people holding feverish conversations about Jews who died for the sanctification of God’s name, mixed with stories from the High Court.

    The protest in Bnei Brak began at 1 P.M., where a representative of the parents from Immanuel addressed the crowd. The main march began an hour later in Jerusalem, heading to the police headquarters in the Russian Compound. Dozens of the pro-segregation parents were to stand on the pedestrian bridge over Jerusalem’s Bar Ilan Street wearing signs saying “prisoner sanctifying the name of heaven.”

    Ads appeared in newspapers on Thursday will call on people to avoid violence. Yerah Tocker, a spokesman for the protest, said “avoiding violence is one of the main emphases of the organizers.”

    “We want to protest the High Court ruling and declare that for all of us, in light of the ruling, Torah comes first,” he said.

    Despite the pledges of non-violence, police are to deploy in large numbers in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Immanuel and near Ma’asiyahu Prison, where apparently the fathers of the girls are to be taken, and Neveh Tirza Prison, where the mothers are to go.

    Police also called on drivers to avoid the area of the demonstrations in Jerusalem on Yermiyahu, Bar Ilan, Shmuel Hanavi and Hanevi’im streets, and in the Russian Compound.

    The Courts Administration on Wednesday beefed up security around Supreme Court Justice Edmond Levy, who headed the panel that ruled against the segregation. Levy, who wrote the sole dissent from the anti-segregation ruling, came out strongly against parents seeking rabbinic advice on the ruling. “No ruling of a court in general, or the High Court in particular, requires the authorization of any person, not even halakhic (Jewish law ) authority,” Levy said.

    Wednesday for the first time since the segregation issue in Immanuel became public three years ago, Yosef said he was “very shocked” at the petition.

    Shas chairman Eli Yishai met on Wednesday with Yosef, after which he said Yosef was “pained at the discrimination and also at turning to the courts and the High Court ruling.” He said it would have been better to deal with the issue “in pleasant ways” and insist on a solution out of court. Shas has not told its followers whether to take part in the demonstrations. However, this evening the Shas Council of Torah Sages is to hold a special meeting on the issue and will set its official position.

    Rabbi Shimon Ba’adani is the spiritual leader of the Yemenite Jewish community in Immanuel, and all his daughters study in the Hasidic classes with mostly Ashkenazi girls.

    The Shas position is very complex and not likely to win it many supporters in its community. One of the main reasons Shas has not expressed itself yet on the matter is because the elite Shas families, including the Yosef and Yishai families, send their girls to Ashkenazi schools.

    Deri, a former Shas chairman, has been waiting a long time for the right moment to re-enter politics after serving time on corruption charges. On Wednesday he showed signs of moving in that direction. He told Haaretz the political system had to make decisions in the Immanuel affair and not let the courts intervene.

    “The handwriting is on the wall. A terrible rift among the people,” Deri said. “There are ministers and deputy ministers. They should get together and go to the prime minister’s office and say, ‘Let’s solve the problem.'”

    The Ashkenazi community is united in its support for the demonstration. Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv announced he was personally going to join the demonstration, as did the Gerer rebbe and other leading rabbis.

    Police officials estimated that additional protests would take place in other places across the country. In total, some 100,000 people were expected to attend the rallies.

    Protestors flocked to Jerusalem’s Yirmiyahu Street along with signs reading, “High Court against the people” and “God will rule for all eternity”.  

    In Bnei Brak, children held signs reading, “The High Court is fascist” and “Flotilla terrorists free! Students’ parents to jail.”

    Massive police forces were deployed across the country to prevent clashes. “More than 10,000 policemen and Border Guard officers will deploy on the main routes and especially at the main places of protest,” said Commander Nissim More, head of the operations division at the police’s national headquarters.

    The Jerusalem protestors appeared to be enraged with Supreme Court Justice Edmond Levy, who ruled that the Ashkenazi parents who refused to send their girls to school should be sent to jail.

    “Edmond Levy is the biggest racist in history. This is what happened in the (former Shas Minister Shlomo) Benizri case as well. Where else in the world have you seen such a precedent – adding to the sentence after an appeal? There is a clear trend against us because of our black skullcap,” said Amram, one of the protestors.

    Shmuel Naimi is one of the parents slated to be imprisoned. His son Shimon, 20, told Ynet that “there is no racism in Emmanuel. The education is better, 30% of the students are Sephardic and there is no such thing as separating between Ashkenazim and Sephardim. It’s an argument created because of the crazy media.”

    He also expressed his anger at the Supreme Court judge. “I have 10 brothers and sisters and I have no idea what the little ones are going to do. Perhaps Edmond Levy could find them a babysitter.”

    Netanel, a Ger Hasid, arrived to support the Slonim Hasidic dynasty in its battle. “It begins with Slonim and it will reach all of us. I am here to make sure it won’t reach Ger,” he said.

    “Who is Edmond Levy to tell me what to do? No one has the right to tell me how to educate my children. The idea that the High Court would intervene is a crime. Any haredi would be willing to go to jail.”


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    217 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    We have to fight this terribal decision by the judges. First they ask for ashkenazi and sefatri kids to be together. Next they will say mixed boys and girls. What’s next? Areb and jewish? If we don’t do someting now it will get out of control.

    Just Thinking
    Just Thinking
    13 years ago

    Before anyone gets carried away, Chacham Ovaida said THERE IS DISCRIMINATION but it shoudl not have gone to the courts.

    Sephardic
    Sephardic
    13 years ago

    Amazing what people can do in the name of G-d.
    Did anyone read the courts verdict?? It is available on the web for those who want to see it.
    The courts brought clear proofs of discrimination for race reasons only, not religious. The principal of the girl school there, Mrs Wienfeld, was quoted as saying, “We don’t want Sepharadim here” and many other such comments.
    Get the details from both sides before commenting

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    to all those
    chareidei bashers
    now all Gedolei Yisroel
    are protesting
    u see what type of Medina were deeling with
    let all of us do teshuva
    and have moshiach now

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    “Who is Edmond Levy to tell me what to do? No one has the right to tell me how to educate my children. The idea that the High Court would intervene is a crime. Any haredi would be willing to go to jail.”

    actually not, I am Haredi and not a racist and not willing to go to jail

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    it is not racist, it is the religous level that the parents are worried about…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Deputy Minister Yaakov Litzman tells Kol Chai Radio he is pained that it has come to this, adding he attended the High Court hearing this week and personally saw the disdain for the parents exhibited by Justice Edmond Levy. He stresses this is absolutely not related to discrimination in any way shape and form.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Once and for all show this stupid bagatz wo they are

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    It is not Ashkenazim vs. Sefardim!!! There are Sefardi parents who are going to jail. It is over the right to educate each child according to her (family’s) way within one school.

    When the court ruled the school could not maintain separate tracks – which ALL the parents were fine with – parents pulled their daughters out and said they would “home-school” them.

    The parents are going to jail for choosing to home-school vs. send their daughters to a situation they feel is unhealthy.

    I hear the Israeli gov’t is looking to lease prison space in Siberia….

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Will the agudah orgenize a rally in ny?

    informed
    informed
    13 years ago

    Contrary to popular belief, the “non-religious” parents in Emanuel are actually fully shomer shabbos, religious in every way, but perhaps from Baal Teshuva families or other such “flaws”

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    If a sefardi meets the religious criteria of a school, they should be admitted. This should never have become a racial issue, and no, it’s not the media who made it one – it’s the people who did. My heart aches over this situation. They say Moshiach will come to a generation that is either entirely righteous or entirely wicked. Well, from the looks of things, he must be on his way. (And no, we are not entirely righteous…) 🙁

    Secular
    Secular
    13 years ago

    What an astonishing picture!

    Thousands of chareidim rallying together…for what?
    So that one group could say to the other ‘we are frumer than you’…
    What a waste of man power..what a waste of time…what a Bittul torah!

    One wonders why protests are not as vocal for the release of Gilad Shalit (true Pidyon shvuyim), or against the defemation of Israel in the wake of the flotilla raid, or during the Lebanon war.

    Could you imagine the good it would do for Klal Israel if these men used their power, passion and strength, not only to protest sound causes, but incorporate themselves into society. Instead we have underdeveloped uneducated boors who look like some Gedolim used to look 100 years ago protesting someone else’s school. a childish cause… For what??
    The sefardi ‘Gedolim’ are in a pickle, because on the one hand they and the people they represent have an inferiority complex when it comes to their religiosity(frumkeit), the tone is set by Ashkenazi Chareidim. Indeed many of the movers and shakers Eli Yishai, Benizri, Deri are all products of Ashkenazi education. That is why they are elites….

    Kidush Hashem
    Kidush Hashem
    13 years ago

    This is the mosty amazing Kiddush Hashem barabim I can recall since the maamad which was against the high court about ten years ago at Shaar Yerushalaim.
    We all wish the parents every hatzlacha in their success.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Edmon Levi is a loser and an old fool. He is not and never was qulafied to be a judge in Israel, he obviously hates the Jewish religion.

    Secular
    Secular
    13 years ago

    … The problem is, they are ‘Elites’ in the Sefardi/Edot mizrach community, because they are Ashkenazi trained and worldly(!?). However they cannot be that aloof from their Sefardi brothers(and sisters) that they don’t sympathize with their ‘plight’ i.e. when they are discriminated against, by the ‘establishment’ Ashkenazim.

    But the root cause of this and other issues is simply that MOST Ashkenazi chareidim DO NOT believe in the medina, they don’t even think its a mitzva to live in Eretz Israel. That is why there is no connectiion between the Ashkenazim and the Medina/Land in any meaningful way. Army service is viewed as a nuisance at best, not a call and opportunity to protect our brethren in OUR land (milchemet Mitzva).

    Could you imagine for a moment… what if some ‘Frum’ yeshiva bochurim attended the army, and G-d forbid a conflict broke out; the prayers, the davening, the learning would take on a whole new fervor and intensity because it’s OUR Men fighting. It would mean something. The Chareidim In Israel and abroad are mere spectators watching someone else’s conflict in someone else’s Land…

    we’re here for the free education…

    Just Thinking
    Just Thinking
    13 years ago

    There were blacks aat the time who were against desegregation. This is proof of nothing.
    You must understand the situation of the Sephardic parents in the school, if they don’t follow the stream, they will be shunned, put in cherem and their kids will have to go through torture. They are doing what they can to let their kids get the best life they can under the worst circumstances.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    It may be the biggest demonstration, but also the bigges “hillul hashem.” And this, spearheaded by the Slonimer who claim that they stand for achdut. It doesn’t matter if they can rationalize their cause, now they are perceived by most Israelis and Jews all over as being discriminatory and so insular that they are afraid that G-D forbid their daughters should sit next to someone in school whose parents might have become religious and even text message. If the Slonimers really believed in achdut they would try and set an example that others might follow. My family has in the past supported Slonimers, however now, let them go elsewhere. I cannot support the “hillul hashem,” on the eve of the three weeks and tisha b’av. Have they not learned their lessons?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Fascinating that these people have time in the middle of the work day to come out and spend time protesting. What happened to all those ‘working charedim’ people on this site are always crowing about?

    hmm
    hmm
    13 years ago

    I don’t know about you, but the last time I checked, we all came from the same man, adam. We all left egyp together, wandered the desert together, stood under mt sinai together and pledged to honor the torah together. I do not have insight into hashem, but I do not think he is happy about this segregation of his precious children.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Lots of schools have separate tracks. they do not, however, hide the “B” track children behind a wall during recess, force them to wear different uniforms, keep them separated during lunch, recess, etc. That’s segregation- not a different track.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    When will israel see that the more they cause pain to hareidim, the more they get deligitimized in the world?!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I wonder what great travesty will happen because thousands see fit to separate a brother. Chillul HaShem

    David
    David
    13 years ago

    “Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered in Jerusalem and in Bnei Brak on Thursday to support the right of Ashkenazi Hasidic parents to keep their children in classes segregated from their Mizrahi peers.”
    –And only four people missed work!

    Just a thought
    Just a thought
    13 years ago

    From what I hear, all stores throughout Jerusalem are operating with full staff. No workers requested leave for the protest. All kollelim are empty though.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    That’s a stupid comment. Sefardim are sending their kids to the Chassidishe school and they are going to jail with the Ashkenazim. You dumb blind shagitz, this has nothing to do with discrimination, except anti-Jewish discrimination by the memshule may it speedily be destroyed.

    The parents sent their children to an acceptable school outside their community, the court said “you can not do that”.

    How about learning what you’re talking about before you make stupid comments.

    How tall does the wall have to be
    How tall does the wall have to be
    13 years ago

    Does anyone know how tall the wall has to be between the Sepharadim and Ashkenazim?
    is their hezek Reiyah? 10 tefachim? are you allowed to pray when looking at a Sepharadi?

    why is there a wall between the different classes???

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    This should be a very big kiddush Hashem and very effective way for charedim to make their case to secular (and non-chareidei) society and to the non-jewish world that we are Or LaGoyim.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    like Korachs rebellion this is also in the name of “G-d”

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    #25 keep eating your cheeseburgers and driving to McDonald’s on Shabbos, you shagitz.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Oi was Satmar Ruv Ztz”l right when he said many many years ago that one day the Medina HaTemeiah will tell you exactly how to educate your children!!!

    Guys its time to wake up and smell the coffee! The system in Israel is a danger for the whole Frum community!

    You can bash whatever you want (and how about when you’re busy with Chilul HaShem you should also think about the digging part in Israel that they’ll not stop, but every government all over the world will stop after the jewish community is asking. But then you’ll not say a word!) But besides trying to cover up you see facts! The Chinuch in Israel is a total disaster! And they’re basically forcing the Frum people to follow them.

    Watta Shame!!!

    Go Stolin Go!!!

    Loshon Hora
    Loshon Hora
    13 years ago

    Enough sefardi parents are going to jail for the same reason, now how is that racist?
    This is all about religeon.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Just In: HaGuan HaGudel Posek HaDor Rav Elyashev Shlita just arrived to the Mamad Rabusi and will say soon Divres Kodshoi!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    It is a shanda that certain so called “gadolei yisroel” encourage demonstrations in support of what is clearly a biased and bigoted pattern of behavior by these ashkeanzi parents but they sit on their hands with regard to ongoing issues of concern to klal yisroel in terms of better housing, education and quality of life issues, many of which stem from religious practice and the role of the religious parties in the government.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I’m not impressed by these protests. As these people don’t work and have nothing else to do with their time.

    Avi
    Avi
    13 years ago

    It becomes clearer each day as to why Charedim ignore Shulchan Aruch — it was written by a Sefaradi.

    It’s interesting to note that the historically greatest works in Halacha were written by Sefaradim, but somehow it’s the Ashkenazim who are more “frum”. If it were not for Sefaradim, these Charedim wouldn’t even know what Halacha was.

    Stamford Hilly Billy
    Stamford Hilly Billy
    13 years ago

    There are only two words to describe all these idiots attending the protest – bittul torah!!!

    That’s if they are serious about learning, if they are not why are they in yeshiva/kollel? Go and get a job!!!

    and stop having pointless machlokes which is causing gross chillul hashem, has story has made the secular media across the world, a far cry from the kiddush hashem that the protesters are caliming for defending kedushas hashem!!!!

    The only opinion that I have seen on this matter that makes any sense is that of Rav Ovadia shlita who said the whole issue should never have got to court in the first place.

    knowitall
    knowitall
    13 years ago

    The Chareidim need alternative forms of entertainment.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Yet the greatest travesty brought upon by the State of Israel. I do say “there is something rotten in the State of Israel”. May the Ribbono Shel Oilem repay those parents piece by piece, minute by minute for every iota of aggravation they have to endure.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    It’s simple…
    1)Get Jobs-get money
    2)Take the money-build your own schools
    3)Choose your own student base

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Isn’t it ironic…
    The big sign by the hafganos says “al tigoo bimsheechai”
    A protest like this is DISTANCING bi’as moshiach

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    The situation is strangely like the Meroglim. New Land = Fears of New Leadership & Loss of Old Power held by old leader…Don”t know what’s the answer?

    knowitall
    knowitall
    13 years ago

    Whyis it hat chareidim don’t show such emotion when a soldier gets killed protecting them? They seem to only want to take but not to give. That is the cause of the animosity, and, frankly, there is basis for it.

    zalman
    zalman
    13 years ago

    Is there a bracha to say when you see so many naaranim gathered in one location?

    Nucham
    Nucham
    13 years ago

    the guy holding the sign (in top picture) “I AM GOING TO JAIL BECAUSE OF THE EDUCATION OF MY DAUGHTER” looks like he is only 14 years old, how old is his daughter?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I lack the background to have a meaningful opinion about the subject of this protest – despite having read the article and the comments in either direction. I am pained about the constant reports of protests for all these causes, though many or all seem legit. Don’t people work? Or if not, shouldn’t they be dedicating their lives to studying Torah? What’s with these full time positions (unpaid) as “Protesters”? There has to be a better way than to have so many Yidden whose time is supposedly dedicated to full time learning be AWOL and demonstrating every day for something else. I heard a suggestion from someone that there should be a designated day every month and a specially designed location for protests. There could be mounted cameras to film it, special signs to identify the subject of the protests, and presoaked pampers to throw at the police. This would be far more convenient, and more time reserved for Torah study.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    whats rong with mixing sephardi and ashkinazi?

    zevi
    zevi
    13 years ago

    where were all these protestors when the traitor sharon gave up holy land to terrorists?
    This was the begining and reason for all the subsequent tzoros over the past few years.

    Solomon B
    Solomon B
    13 years ago

    A Bunch of Racist Jews , This is why we have no Moshiah !!!!!! I wouldn’t put my kid in an Emmanuel Ashkanaz School, Not because I’m Racist but because the level of education SUCKS ! They Teach Racism …. Anti Torah , They belong with the Ereb Rab that were left in Egypt!!!! better yet swallowed up with Qorah !

    kvod shamyim
    kvod shamyim
    13 years ago

    god says: All kavodi lo mchisem val kvod atzmchem ato mocheh, were wore you agideh and your gdolim evrey time gods name is shamed