Serious Corruption Charges Against Bet Shemesh Mayor Abutbul

Bet Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbul from the Shas party has been accused of serious political corruption, including pressuring a Yeshivah to fire a teacher who was also a political activist in opposition to the Mayor! The political activist, Dov Lipman, filed a Police complaint, and a complaint to the National Auditor of Israel (Mevaker HaMedinah), charging that the Mayor had interfered in the decision making process of the Yeshivah leading to Lipman's contract as a teacher at the Yeshivah where he has been teaching for five years being terminated as of the coming school year!

I have uploaded the article (in Hebrew) about this from a local Bet Shemesh newspaper (Tmura), and it can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B-l0FBF9cFPvNGNmMGQwYmMtMmZjNS00ZjNiLTllZmUtZmY1OWU0MmM5YjM3&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

I must add, as I noted in the comments, that, unfortunately, this type of behavior is not new to Bet Shemesh and is known to have been exhibited by a former Bet Shemesh Mayor. Certain Yeshivot warned members of their staffs not to appear at political rallies and the like, for fear that that the Mayor would not grant permits needed by the Yeshivah if staff members were seen at events held in opposition to that Mayor!

It is time to stop the corruption, no matter who is the Mayor. Our public figures must perform in accordance with basic ethical standards!

We can only hope that these efforts to stamp out corruption in our city government will be successful.

Kashrut and Spirituality

As far as Kashrut and spirituality, in food and in the other parts of our lives, goes, we (and especially certain Rabbis in Bet Shemesh) should keep in mind the following facts:

1. Almost all of food Kashrut relates to some Lavim (prohibitions) in the Torah which, while important, are NOT extremely serious Torah violations.

2. Almost all of the "Kashrut exposés" which have been publicized in certain Kashrut lectures and on the Email lists have related either to technical problems with a Kashrut certificate (while the people who provide the food being discussed are known to be people who would never, in any case, feed other Jews non-Kosher food), or accusations that a store may be putting up a letter from a Mehadrin Kashrut organization on their wall in order to deceive people into thinking they have a Mehadrin Hechsher when they ONLY have a Hechsher certifying that their food is Kosher.

3. Sexual offenses against children (or adults) involve several very serious transgressions upon Torah law, and, in many cases, may involve transgressions with a Karet (excision) penalty, or even a capital crime by Torah law.

4. Any suspicions of sexual offenses must be meticulously investigated by the proper authorities who know how to deal with serious crimes like these, and must never be brushed off with statements like, "The accused is above suspicion, and this must be a case of the accusers trying to damage his reputation and nothing more," which Chazal warned against with their warnings like, "Ein Apotropus LeArayot," because we all know that on sexual matters a good reputation in religious circles does not guarantee that there will be no misconduct. In fact, in Jewish society today it is generally accepted that you can trust the Kashrut of the food that a "Frum Jew" who is a sexual offender (or criminal of some other type) feeds you. Indeed, quite a few instances have come to light of people who kept Kashrut very meticulously, but cheated others in business (or slept with other people's wives, or perpetrated some other sexual offense).

5. The only way someone who is falsely accused can truly clear his/her name, without any suspicions of cover-up, is if a serious investigation is conducted by the proper authorities, and, after thorough investigation, the conclusion is reached that the person did not commit any sexual offense. In certain cases it may be discovered, after serious investigation, that the accusations were false; but it is much more likely that the accusations are true if someone is willing to embarrass himself (and we all know that it is embarrassing in religious society to bring up sexual conduct in any case) by bringing up sexual misconduct perpetrated against him/her.

6. Even if somehow a sexual offender can be investigated without reporting him to the Police, what reliable guarantee can be given that he will get the counseling which he needs, be kept away from tempting situations in the future, and that innocent victims (both those in the past, and those whom he might potentially victimize in the future) will be protected from him? In many cases where a sexual offender was identified, the religious community simply "covered up" for him and, perhaps, had him transferred to a different community where he wasn't known as a sexual offender, but where he DID have every opportunity to victimize new unsuspecting victims.

It is clear from the above that investigation of suspected sexual abuse should be a MUCH HIGHER PRIORITY in the religious community than investigation of Kashrut suspicions (though neither deception with regard to sexual prohibitions and violations of them, nor deception with regard to Kashrut laws and violations of them, should be accepted and "brushed under the rug").

It would be good for all Jewish community leaders, especially those in Ramat Bet Shemesh, to take note of the above and to exert their influence to put the stronger emphasis where it belongs, and not to waste so much effort trying to publicize who does not have a Mehadrin Hechsher even though he is Kosher (which, in any case, any alert consumer can find out for himself).

Kudos to Rav Yaacov Haber for his Pashkevil to End All Pashkevilim

Rav Yaacov Haber of KSY (Kehilas Shivtei Yeshurun, at the corner of Dolev and Yarden in Ramat Bet Shemesh Alef) has contributed something important to Ahavat Yisrael in Bet Shemesh with his Pashkevil to end all Pashkevilim:

http://www.torahlab.org/haberblog/the_pashkevil_to_end_all_pashkevil/

Both Rafi G's "Life in Israel" blog,

http://lifeinisrael.blogspot.com/2010/06/interesting-posts-163.html,

and David Morris' "Tzedek-Tzedek blog,

http://tzedek-tzedek.blogspot.com/2010/06/mother-of-all-pashkevilim.html

have noted this positive development. I hope to see more "positive energy" generated by Rav Haber, displaying true leadership as he has done this time, in the future.

Mobile Phones and Cellular System Antennas

There has been a lot of debate about the antennas which the cellphone companies have constructed around Bet Shemesh, especially the large number of antennas (four, I believe) which were placed on top of the new shopping center on Nachal Dolev in RBS.

While some citizens believe that the radiation generated by these antennas is not strong enough to harm people, many others are concerned that it may indeed be harmful. I know people from both sides of this debate, and I am sure that they are all well-meaning; and I wish to propose a way of confronting this issue to which I think all sides can (or, at least, could possibly) agree.

The public pressure should concentrate upon demanding that there always be a legal requirement for a company to obtain municipal approval of any type of antenna, and that the request for such approval MUST INCLUDE FULL DISCLOSURE of amounts (and types) of radiation generated by the antenna under all circumstances, and that the public always be granted a reasonable period of time to review the request, and file objections, before it is approved!

If the public is granted a reasonable period of time to review any company's request to install an antenna, and that request fully discloses how much and what radiation will be generated by the antenna; there should be no more room for companies to claim that the antenna is safe, while citizens claim that it isn't. Everything should be spelled out clearly (which is usually NOT the case with Israeli regulatory agencies), and the public along with the municipality should be able to decide whether the antenna should be erected or not. If necessary, health professionals and engineering professionals can be consulted about the data which should be presented for all to see.

If the data is presented in an honest and objective manner before the public, the cellphone companies, according to their claims that there are no health hazards involved, should have nothing to fear. In fact, if new antennas pose no health hazards the cellphone companies should have much to gain from legislation which forces the "full light of day" to be shed upon antenna construction. The cellphone companies will no longer appear to be "thieves in the night" erecting antennas without public knowledge, which creates a public furor no matter what, because the citizens want to be consulted on what occurs in their neighborhood and in their city.

So I suggest that my proposal for legislation to require full public disclosure of amounts (and types) of radiation generated by an antenna under all circumstances, with the public having a reasonable period of time to review the data, before erection of an antenna, be presented to all sides involved in this issue. I hope that all sides will sincerely consider the benefits of such a proposal and work together to implement it.

And EVEN BEFORE SUCH A PROPOSAL IS ADOPTED INTO LAW, the cellphone companies can voluntarily implement the terms of the proposal in order to provide good public relations for themselves!

I know that it is unlikely that all sides would agree to such a plan voluntarily; but I think that it is, at least, worth attempting, since an active struggle is possible (and is already in operation) anyway.

Developments Relating to the New Chareidi Yeshiva High School of Bet Shemesh

There is a new Chareidi Yeshivah High School called "Yeshivat Bet Shemesh" or "Mesivta of Beit Shemesh", which is scheduled to open this coming Elul (2010).

Rafi's "Life in Israel" blog reported rumors of more extremist attempts to thwart the opening of the new Chareidi Yeshiva High School in Bet Shemesh:

http://lifeinisrael.blogspot.com/2010/06/yeshiva-high-school-of-bet-shemesh.html

He was also kind enough to post something about my efforts, along with the "usual crew of misfits" with whom I work against extremist intimidation and violence, to apprehend anyone who is trying to intimidate people on this issue as well as any other issue. The statement about my efforts is:

There is a new Chareidi Yeshivah High School with full secular studies curriculum, similar to Maarava, called Yeshivat Bet Shemesh, which will be opening in Ramat Bet Shemesh in Elul this year, and, of course, it has caused extremist Chareidi elements some consternation. Apparently an attempt is being made by certain people to intimidate or threaten parents into not sending their sons to this school, even though it may be davka appropriate for them.
Any such attempts which have been recorded (audio or video) should be passed on to those who are working to make this school a reality in RBS. Anyone who wants more information should contact Catriel Lev at clev@actcom.com.


To clarify that my efforts, and those of the independent people with whom I am working to prevent intimidation and violence, are not connected in any way with the Yeshivah's administration or parents, I also posted this clarification on Rafi's blog:

Since it has been brought up in the comments to this blog:

I wish to clarify that I have no connection to the Yeshivah, and in no way represent the Yeshivah, and was not asked by anyone associated with the Yeshivah to collect information from the parents on behalf of the Yeshivah.
I am simply working with independent people who are trying to prevent extremists from intimidating people on any topic, including this one.


Let us hope that we may all be Zocheh to appreciate the Shivim Panim LaTorah (Seventy Faces of the Torah, a metaphor for tolerance of other people's views and Torah practices),

Catriel Lev

My "Mikveh and RBS Atmosphere" Composition-Condensed Version

The complete version is found at: http://vehashalomvehaemmet.blogspot.com/p/mikveh-situation-summary-and-thoughts.html

Since a condensed version of my "Mikveh and RBS Atmosphere" Composition has been requested a few times, I present the following as the best condensation I could put together:

I present this to you simply as a very caring and honest private citizen concerned for the welfare of our community, who stands upon his integrity, and demands integrity from all of the leaders of communities in our city (as well as from all people everywhere), and who has invested great efforts in clarifying facts, and has exerted himself to "understand where everyone is coming from," without excusing any reprehensible behavior that has become apparent through the efforts to find the truth.

First of all, a condensation of the major lessons to be learned from the Mikveh controversy and the general atmosphere in RBS, as I see it:

1. Let us put our true concerns out in the open. It is only by stating the true concerns explicitly without subterfuge, and with true good will from all sides, TRULY wanting everyone to be comfortable, that the true issues are discussed, and that we can achieve an atmosphere in our neighborhood that is pleasant for each of us.

2. Let us truly respect one another. If the different sides will be willing to understand that, though each of them may consider himself absolutely right, each other side also has the right to think so; they should manage to produce the minimal mutual respect necessary to work out the respectful compromises necessary.

3. Let us make public integrity and basic honesty the norm and demand it from all of our leaders. No one really benefits if one side "wins" a political battle by perverting the truth. The true problems just reappear later because they were covered up by lies! No leader is expected to be perfect, but lying to cover up one's failings should not be accepted from any leader, or any person at all for that matter.

4. Let us not produce excuses for violating the law or practicing violence or intimidation of any kind. If one side uses such excuses to excuse their "hotheads", the other side will also do so; and a vicious cycle of spiraling violence and threats could result. Every community should behave in a truly responsible manner, clearly condemning the "hotheads" from their community who act in a reprehensible manner.

5. Let us truly believe that, even if we don't even like each other too much (though I hope that that will NOT be the case), we can live side by side without causing each other grief. We have a wonderful neighborhood, and a great city; let's not ruin it through spiteful fights against "Apikorsim" and the like.

Continuation...

The rest of this condensed version (including what appears here, and including a place for readers' comments) may be found at:

http://vehashalomvehaemmet.blogspot.com/p/mikveh-and-rbs-atmosphere-composition.html