The city pool that was at the heart of the machlokes between the chareidi communities and the secular residents of Petach Tikvah will remain closed on Shabbos during the winter months as per the request of rabbonim, who call for preserving the religious status quo in the city.

The city-run pool, which was at the heart of machlokes and a boycott by the dati leumi and chareidim communities in the city, will remain closed on Shabbos during winter months. This is because most of the residents of the neighborhood are chareidi, dati leumi or traditional.

In past years, the pool, which was recently renovated, used to operate on Shabbos for members only or for persons who purchased a Shabbos entry pass before Shabbos. It was open daily during the summer months. During the summer, renovations resulted in a new indoor pool, but due to the storm surrounding its operation on Shabbos, the pool will remain closed on Shabbosim during the winter months.

Rav Dov Popper (פופר), a consultant and posek for Puah Institute, and a student of clinical genetics in Hadassah Medical Center, was involved in the battle with the chareidim in the city, a battle led by Petach Tikvah Chief Rabbi HaGaon Rav Micha Halevi. The religious community succeeded in arranging for the closure of the pool during the winter months.

City Mayor Yitzchak Braverman spent an enormous sum to rebuild the pool, with work ending about six months ahead of elections during which Braverman lost to current mayor, Rami Greenberg, who was targeted by the religious tzibur during the pool battle. While Braverman promised Degel Hatorah to shut the pool on Shabbos, he lost the election and his successor decided the pool would remain open on Shabbos during the summer months. The kiosk however remained closed in order to permit having kashrus certification during the week.

Greenberg decided the pool would operate on Shabbos year-round. After the battle and boycott, the mayor agreed to close the pool on Shabbosim during winter months.

It is pointed out that the pool existed before the neighborhood became chareidi, and it was open on Shabbos.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)