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An Open Letter to Our Kehillah: A Call to Secure the Future of Our Torah Institutions

I had the privilege of speaking with a number of the Rabbanim of the city, shlita, as well as with many individuals who faithfully devote themselves to the needs of the community.
Throughout these conversations, the same cry was heard time and again – profound concern over the extremely difficult situation facing our Torah and educational institutions, and the enormous burden being carried by those responsible for their continued existence.
I therefore felt it my duty to bring these matters before the esteemed Rabbanim, shlita, to whom the eyes of the entire community are turned, with the firm belief that, through Daas Torah and the guidance of the Rabbanim, a proper path can be found for the benefit of the entire community.
Maintaining our Torah and educational institutions is among the heaviest responsibilities facing our community. Those engaged in this sacred work labour day and night to ensure the continued existence of the institutions, the salaries of rebbeim and teachers, and the needs of the talmidim and talmidos.
However, the time has come to state the situation as it truly is.
It is no longer within the ability of a small number of individuals, however dedicated they may be, to continue carrying this enormous burden alone. It is neither fair nor sustainable that a responsibility upon which the future of the entire community depends should rest upon the shoulders of only a few.
The question of sustaining our Torah institutions is not merely the concern of their administrators. It is the responsibility of the entire community.
Nor is this a new concept. Throughout the generations, particularly in the communities of Europe before the Second World War, permanent communal regulations were established for the support of Torah institutions. Every member of the community carried his share according to his means, so that supporting Torah was the responsibility of the entire community rather than a burden carried by a few individuals.
According to the figures provided to us, the combined shortfall facing the city’s Torah and educational institutions ahead of the coming school year now stands at more than £12 million.
This is not merely the call of the administrators of our institutions.
It is the cry of the entire community.
If the present situation continues, there is a very real danger that institutions will no longer be able to carry the burden placed upon them. Chas v’shalom, this could result in institutions being forced to reduce their activities, limit the number of pupils they can accept, and weaken the foundations of chinuch upon which the future of our community depends.
I therefore respectfully ask the esteemed Rabbanim, shlita, to consider whether the time has come to establish a comprehensive communal takannah, in whatever form the Rabbanim deem appropriate, through which the responsibility of supporting our Torah and educational institutions would be shared among all members of the community in a fair and organised manner.
Should this be considered appropriate according to Daas Torah, consideration might be given to establishing a Vaad of Shivah Tovei Ha’ir, which would oversee the arrangements, together with an experienced and reputable firm of accountants to help establish a fair system whereby every individual would participate according to his means.
The system could also operate through the city’s batei knesses, with each kehillah appointing a trusted gabbai or representative to assist in implementing the arrangements.
All of the above, of course, would be entirely subject to the direction, guidance and final determination of the esteemed Rabbanim, shlita.

Akiva Adler
On behalf of Beis Hamedrash Elyon

Israel confirmed that it carried out airstrikes on a Syrian military airport after intelligence indicated Turkey was preparing to deploy forces at the site, raising concerns of a new security threat along Israel’s northern front.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel and Syria had maintained a security “status quo,” but Damascus was preparing to violate that understanding by allowing Turkish troops to deploy at an air base near Aleppo. Israel said Syria had been repeatedly warned that such a move would threaten Israeli security but failed to respond.

Israel said it would not tolerate developments that could endanger the country and called for the previous security arrangements to be restored.

Turkey strongly rejected Israel’s claims, accusing Jerusalem of using the allegations to justify strikes against Syrian territory.

The development adds another layer of tension to an already volatile region, with Israel, Syria, and Turkey now facing the risk of a broader confrontation.

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