260 children from the Emunas Tzion Cheder in Jerusalem on Monday, 16 Elul, arrived at cheder to begin a new year of learning. However, this year, they met at Safra Square, Jerusalem City Hall, as they have been left without a building.

The children were divided into classes on City Hall promenade, and the melamdim began the year.

The staff of the cheider explained to the media that at this point, they feel helpless, as they have been without a building for seven days, and it is high time that a solution is found to address the needs of the children. One child explained “We don’t have a cheider because [Jerusalem Mayor] Nir Barkat took our building away”.

The talmid torah was using the ORT College Building on Nevi’im Street, which they have been renting for the last few years. Most of the families whose children attend the cheider belong to the Nachal Netzach kehilla of Rav Shmuel Stern, a rav in the Meah Shearim Breslov community, a tzibur that numbers many baalei teshuvah as well.

Some of the parents told the press that they are certain they are being discriminated against because they are Sephardim as well as baalei teshuvah, explaining there is no one championing their cause, fighting on their behalf.

Kikar Shabbos News quotes Jerusalem City Hall responding, explaining the cheider was renting the building from ORT on its own, without any municipal involvement. “The talmid torah to the best of our knowledge, was aware for some time that it would have to rent an alternate building. We are sorroy ORT has ousted the talmid torah, but this is a private body,” the city statement reads.

“In order to assist the talmid torah, the city has turned to ORT, asking to extend the lease, despite not being a party to the events. This request was rejected. The city continues acting to find a solution for the good of the children, but options are limited due to the complicated situation that has resulted,” the statement concluded.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)