The ultra-Orthodox residents of Elad rubbed their eyes, finding it hard to believe: Huge billboards hung in the city announced an event to mark Memorial Day in memory of the 23,169 who fell in Israel's wars. Among the participants: the ultra-Orthodox leadership in the municipality - Mayor Yisrael Porush, his deputy Shmuel Grossbard, his deputy from Shas, Zuriel Krispel, and Deputy Mayor Barak Tzabari.
On the musical part of the Omer Counting: "Songs of the Fallen with Gad Elbaz and Vishay Lapidot.".
The event will begin at 7:45 PM at the Big Amphitheater in Elad, with a memorial candle lit for the fallen following the siren. Invited speakers include Major Rabbi Shimshon Klein, the Haredi integration rabbi in the IDF and security forces, as well as MK Yoni Shtavun of the Jewish Home.
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toHaredim10 It was learned that some of the council members had approached Mayor Yisrael Poros with a demand to cancel the music during the counting of the Omer, and not to invite the rabbi responsible for integrating the Haredi into the army during this sensitive period. According to them, they were told that the event was for the national-religious public, not the Haredi, and that Rabbi Klein is a neighborhood rabbi in the city - and therefore was invited. It was also learned that some of those appearing in the ad will not actually attend the planned event.
The ad stated Rabbi Klein's role as an integration rabbi for Haredim in the IDF, and did not specify that he was the rabbi of a community in the city.
Zuriel Crispel told Haredim10: "Council member Shai Natan organized the budget alone from the Ministry of Education, the municipality did not provide a budget for the event. I heard the claims that the content was not suitable for the Haredi public, and I spoke with Shai Natan - who apologized and promised to coordinate this with the Haredi public next year. We reached an agreement that I would participate in the event and that the music would not be played while I was participating. I also had family and friends who fell in the Israeli wars and I join them in saying, "God is full of mercy." Thank God we reached an agreement. Right now, there is no reason to make a fuss.".
The Elad Municipality responded: "The Remembrance and Independence Day events are being held this year as every year in the city of Elad, while maintaining the fabric of relations and mutual respect between the ultra-Orthodox public and the national religious public.".
