MK Moshe Gafni Tours Jerusalem Torah Institutions Amid Student Growth Challenges
With the start of the new school year in Torah and educational institutions, MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of the Degel HaTorah party, conducted a special tour of several Torah institutions in Jerusalem alongside his office team. During the visit, he closely observed the impressive growth of these institutions and the significant needs arising from the increasing number of students.
The tour began at the "Kehillat Kamenitz" Talmud Torah in the neighborhoods of Neve Yaakov and Pisgat Ze'ev, the largest Talmud Torah in Israel with over 2,200 students. Gafni visited classrooms, spoke with students, and met with educational staff. The institution's directors, Rabbi Meir Nosovim and Rabbi Gideon Luria, highlighted the ongoing expansion and the severe space shortages, noting that some kindergarten classes are still held in old caravans. They praised the ongoing support from Degel HaTorah representatives in the Jerusalem municipality and the mayor but emphasized the need for substantial solutions to accommodate continued growth.
Next, the delegation visited the "Netiv HaDaat - Kaplan" Yeshiva in the Ramot neighborhood, where Gafni was welcomed by the yeshiva head Rabbi Yitzchak Shreiber and other rabbis and staff. Although the yeshiva head was abroad fundraising, he joined via phone to thank Gafni for his assistance. The group discussed the challenges facing Torah study and the Haredi education sector, affirming that despite difficulties and pressures, Torah learning continues to flourish and expand.
The tour concluded at the "Chochmat Shlomo" Talmud Torah in Sanhedria, which has over 1,600 students. Gafni toured classrooms and met with educational staff. The director, Rabbi Avraham Shalom Pinzel, presented the accelerated growth and the approved plan for a new, spacious permanent building. He requested Gafni's help in expediting approvals and procedures to begin construction soon. Gafni pledged to assist the Jerusalem municipality in advancing these plans to provide suitable learning facilities for thousands of students.
In summary, Gafni expressed his excitement at witnessing thousands of children and young men beginning another year of Torah study amid space challenges due to rising enrollment. He stated, "The sight of full Torah halls is the strongest answer to those who seek to limit Torah study. Despite all attempts to harm the Torah world and Haredi education, the answer is here in the full study halls and classrooms. With God's help, we will continue supporting Torah institutions to grow and thrive. This voice of Torah cannot and will not be stopped."
