More Than 7,000 Gather At Massive Yom Tefillah In Stamford Hill About Troubling Education Reforms [VIDEO & PHOTOS]
Approximately 7,000 Chareidi Jews gathered in Stamford Hill on Tuesday afternoon, to participate in a Yom Tefillah about the harsh threats against Chinuch in yeshivos. The massive event was held outside Bais Hamedrash Toras Eitz Chaim on Lordship Road.
Over the past three years Yeshios have come under increasing pressure from Ofsted inspectors, and rabbonim fear that proposed laws will regulate what is being taught in Yeshivas, forcing them to Chas Vesholom close.
A number of Rabbonim and leading community activists have previously questioned whether the Orthodox community has a future in the UK if education policy is not changed.
Three months ago, HaRav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman from Gateshead passed along a similar message, stating that the situation is serious and that the Jews may have to leave en masse.
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, recently warned that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about the Toeiva lifestyle among other subjects.
While speakers at today’s event voiced concerns about Ofsted, they also expressed hope for dialogue with the government.
According to a report by the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Dovid Frand, president of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, said, “The exemplary behaviour of these thousands of children throughout this event is tribute to the excellent education and high moral standards that our system delivers.”
He said the community thanked God “we are privileged to live in a tolerant country with a government that has repeated pledged to safeguard religion and religious practice.
“However, there are influential secular forces seeking to impinge on our rights and we have all gathered together in prayer in the fervent hope that we can continue to practice and teach our Torah-true values for generations to come.”
PHOTOS BY DAVID BROWN:
Approximately 7,000 Chareidi Jews gathered in Stamford Hill on Tuesday afternoon, to participate in a Yom Tefillah about the harsh threats against Chinuch in yeshivos. The massive event was held outside Bais Hamedrash Toras Eitz Chaim on Lordship Road.
Over the past three years Yeshios have come under increasing pressure from Ofsted inspectors, and rabbonim fear that proposed laws will regulate what is being taught in Yeshivas, forcing them to Chas Vesholom close.
A number of Rabbonim and leading community activists have previously questioned whether the Orthodox community has a future in the UK if education policy is not changed.
Three months ago, HaRav Shraga Feivel Zimmerman from Gateshead passed along a similar message, stating that the situation is serious and that the Jews may have to leave en masse.
Rabbi Aharon Klein, one of the heads of the Belzer community in London, recently warned that should the decisions regarding the education in Charedi schools in England go against the ethos taught by the community, then there would be no future for the Charedi community in England whatsoever.
The new rules set down by the Education Ministry, which helps fund the schools, is to teach about the Toeiva lifestyle among other subjects.
While speakers at today’s event voiced concerns about Ofsted, they also expressed hope for dialogue with the government.
According to a report by the Jewish Chronicle, Rabbi Dovid Frand, president of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, said, “The exemplary behaviour of these thousands of children throughout this event is tribute to the excellent education and high moral standards that our system delivers.”
He said the community thanked God “we are privileged to live in a tolerant country with a government that has repeated pledged to safeguard religion and religious practice.
“However, there are influential secular forces seeking to impinge on our rights and we have all gathered together in prayer in the fervent hope that we can continue to practice and teach our Torah-true values for generations to come.”
PHOTOS BY DAVID BROWN: