Bnei Brak Deputy Mayor Vows to Tackle City's Neglect and Budget Cuts

Menachem Shapira, Deputy Mayor of Bnei Brak and Chairman of Degel HaTorah, addressed hundreds of yeshiva students at the "Ashrechem" conference, highlighting the city's severe financial struggles and the resulting neglect of its streets. Shapira pledged to prioritize improving the city's appearance and cleanliness.

He revealed that he opposed attempts to halt funding for the conference and for trips planned for thousands of yeshiva students, despite the municipality's budgetary constraints. "The situation of Bnei Brak municipality is not the easiest right now, financially," Shapira stated, noting that the difficulties are evident in the city's lack of cleanliness and overall appearance.

Shapira emphasized that the poor state of the streets affects the yeshiva students directly, hindering their ability to study, pray, or study Mishnayot. "We are not going to give up on this matter, and I am sure it will be resolved as quickly as possible," he declared. "The city cannot look like this, it cannot stay like this, and it will not stay like this. The city, God willing, will be clean and will be taken care of."

Addressing the impact of the economic situation on activities for yeshiva students, Shapira explained that budget cuts often target perceived luxuries first. He mentioned that the "Ashrechem" conference and student trips were among the activities initially targeted for cancellation. "I insisted that nothing would stop it," he said. "Precisely you, in the situation you are in, in the war being waged against you, deserve much more than we are giving."

Shapira recounted supporting designated Knesset Member Yehuda Weissfish's request to hold the conference this year, despite the budget shortage. "I know there is no budget and I don't care where I get the money from, I am with you on this, with all my might, because the students deserve the best," Shapira told Weissfish. He also assured that significant attention would be given to the planned trips for thousands of students, viewing these activities as a basic expression of appreciation for their dedication to Torah study. "This is the minimum of the minimum of appreciation we can give you, for your immense dedication," Shapira concluded. "You sit and toil in Torah and protect us, protect the people of Israel; the world exists because of you, we truly believe in this."