Rabbi Dov Begon, Dean of Yeshivat Machon Meir in Jerusalem, warns that the latest economic decrees place the institution in danger of imminent closure. Teachers and rabbis have not received salaries since March or April - and now the government has informed Machon Meir that it will be cutting well over $350,000 from its annual support. An emergency fund-raising campaign has been started.
Though its website states, "Governmental support makes up for 35% of the annual budget," Machon Meir Administrator Tzvi Arzi told Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson today that in light of the government's new economic policies, this support is down to some 20%. In addition, the national budget cuts have led indirectly to the loss of another $90,000 annually.
Some 250 students study in Machon Meir, which was established in 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War with the goal of “loving one’s fellow men and bringing them closer to Torah." Rabbi Begon founded Machon Meir under the motto of B'Ahavah Uv'Emunah (With Love and in Faith) in accordance with the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. The yeshiva has special beginners' programs for men and women in Hebrew, English, and Russian, as well as a special conversion program. It is considered the flagship institution of religious-Zionist outreach to the non-religious sector. For more information, see "http://www.machonmeir.org.il".
Though its website states, "Governmental support makes up for 35% of the annual budget," Machon Meir Administrator Tzvi Arzi told Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson today that in light of the government's new economic policies, this support is down to some 20%. In addition, the national budget cuts have led indirectly to the loss of another $90,000 annually.
Some 250 students study in Machon Meir, which was established in 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War with the goal of “loving one’s fellow men and bringing them closer to Torah." Rabbi Begon founded Machon Meir under the motto of B'Ahavah Uv'Emunah (With Love and in Faith) in accordance with the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook. The yeshiva has special beginners' programs for men and women in Hebrew, English, and Russian, as well as a special conversion program. It is considered the flagship institution of religious-Zionist outreach to the non-religious sector. For more information, see "http://www.machonmeir.org.il".