Ra'anana City Council Approves Chabad School Operations Amid Resident Opposition

The Ra'anana City Council has approved the continued operation of the Chabad school in the city, following a prolonged struggle and opposition from a small group of residents. The decision passed with a decisive 9-4 vote, with Mayor Chaim Broyde supporting the school's continuation. This vote concludes another stage in a lengthy dispute over the educational institution.

The opposition, comprised of residents living near the school, raised planning and transportation concerns. However, the school's administration and parents argued that the objections were rooted in anti-religious motives and an attempt to restrict the activities of a religious educational institution within the city.

Last school year, approximately 110 students attended the Chabad school. For the upcoming academic year, the number is expected to rise to around 150 students, all children of Ra'anana families seeking an education aligned with the school's ethos. The matter had previously been brought before an appeals committee, which returned it for reconsideration, prompting the city to conduct a further review before the final council vote.

Despite continued pressure from opponents during the latest discussion, Mayor Broyde and the majority of the council members voted in favor of the school's operation. Those close to the school view the protracted struggle as an ongoing effort by a small faction to impose its views on an institution serving local families and to prevent its establishment in Ra'anana.

For the approximately 150 students and their families, this decision offers a sense of closure and allows the school to continue its activities. They also see it as a broader message: that a religious educational institution is a legitimate part of Ra'anana's urban fabric, and public pressure from a minority of objectors cannot override parents' rights to choose appropriate education for their children. Avi Frankel, a representative of the parents' committee, expressed dismay at the continued opposition, stating that over 150 students should not bear the cost of uncertainty and relocation each year, and that it is time for the children to have a stable, permanent learning environment.