Good news: The Yissachar Ba'alich kollel chain will not close any branches, and 'Summer Time' began this (Thursday) morning as usual.
Earlier this week, the chain's management issued an official announcement, stating that 17 of its 32 branches across the country would be closed, including the permit in Berchfeld in Modi'in Elite, Netivot, Elad, Beit Shemesh, Rechsim and Bnei Brak. "We are removing responsibility due to the situation that has arisen and is worsening," was the message sent by management to the heads of kollams in several of the chain's branches.
Despite the official announcement, which was confirmed by the network's management, as published inHaredim10, The feeling among the avrechims and branch heads was that the announcement of the dismissal of more than 700 avrechims was not final, and was intended to make it clear to the great men of Israel and donors that the network was collapsing.
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The head of the network, Rabbi Elchanan Weisbord, said in an interview with the newspaper 'Mishpacha' published this morning: "The incitement in Israel is seeping abroad and is affecting the mood of donors, and the doors are closed even among the Haredi men." The newspaper reports on dozens of kollels in the country that have been closed and thousands of avrechims left without a study framework. In addition to the closure of the Yishkhar branches in Bahelich - according to the newspaper - two branches of the 'Ateret Shlomo' chain in Tiberias and Ashdod have also been closed in recent days.
Despite the reports, Haredim10 learned that all branches of the Yishkhar chain in your home have begun summer hours as planned.
The heads of the kollelim visited the home of the Grail Steinman, where they were made clear that the chain would continue to exist and the branches would not be closed. It was learned that the head of the chain is going abroad today to raise funds, after an Israeli businessman - whose name is being withheld from the system - saved the chain from collapse when he promised to make a huge donation, which will form the basis for the continued existence of the kollelim.
The scholarships for the months of Tevet-Shevat-Adar will be deposited in the students' accounts in the coming days, after the head of the network returns to Israel.
One of the heads of Issachar Behlich's kollelim, who earlier this week received notice of the closure of the branch under his management, tells Haredim10 about the turn of events:
""For us, the address for any questions is at the home of the network's leader, Rabbi Steinman, the spiritual father of the institutions. Therefore, immediately upon receiving the unfortunate news, we went to his home, where we received clarifications that although Rabbi Weisbord is disavowing responsibility, this should not be interpreted as a reason for closing the kollel.".
""The people close to the Grail explained that the issue was on my desk and that they were doing everything they could to prevent the collapse. At the moment I heard this, I informed the elders that although there was no commitment to receiving scholarships, the kollel was not closing and there were those who worked night and day to take care of the material part, and we will work night and day to take care of the spiritual part.".
""Summer time will open with the students' prayer for Rabbi Elchanan Weisbord - that he will be able to overcome all difficulties and find favor in the eyes of the generous in Israel and around the world. Today we heard that there is light at the end of the tunnel and we were informed that in all branches that received the message - summer time will open as usual.".
