Last week, the UTJ-Agudas Yisroel internal rotation
agreement in the Haifa municipality was honored by the UTJ
representatives. The agreement had been made between Degel
HaTorah and Agudas Yisroel members on the eve of the
municipal election in Haifa. Degel HaTorah representative
Rabbi Chaim Wiliger, who presided during the first half of
the term of office, transferred his seat to Agudas Yisroel
representative Rabbi Aryeh Blitental. The two were highly
praised for their work together, and noted that they would
continue to work together even after the changes took
effect.
During his term of office, Degel HaTorah representative
Rabbi Chaim Wiliger, fulfilling his part of the agreement,
was active on behalf of his constituents and sanctified
sheim Shomayim in all he did. Before leaving, he
waged a successful, uncompromising battle to increase the
financial support granted to Haifa kollelim, yeshivos
and seminaries. Haifa Mayor Mitzna also complied with Rabbi
Wiliger's request to subsidize a library for the children of
avreichim in Neve Shaanan, following the request of
the local chareidi community.
During the first half of his term of office, Rabbi Wiliger
and Rabbi Blitental led the struggle against the desecration
of graves in the Yaffo area of Haifa, under the guidance of
local rabbonim. As a result of their efforts, the gedolei
Yisroel issued a proclamation decrying the desecration
of graves in Haifa.
Rabbi Aryeh Blitental has served until now as chairman of
the Religious Front. He was also active outside the city
council on behalf of the local chareidi sector. In his
remarks to the members of the City Council, Rabbi Blitental
noted that he is the representative of the city's rabbonim
and that his aim is to represent the Haifa chareidi sector,
along with its many educational institutions and its
chesed and welfare organizations.
He thanked Rabbi Wiliger for honoring the rotation agreement
and for all of his noteworthy activities. He added that he
looked forward to continued collaboration with Mitzna. In
his moving remarks, he mentioned his father, Reb Moshe
zt"l, an active member of the Haifa City Council for
twenty years, one who displayed geniality, warmth, and
respect for all who sought his services. "His legacy and
deeds are a last will and testament for me, and will
constantly guide me," he concluded.
In his greetings, Mayor Mitzna noted that although he hadn't
known Rabbi Blitental's father personally, he had heard much
about his efforts on behalf of both the klal and
individuals. Mitzna said good-bye to Rabbi Wiliger (who was
absent from the meeting due to a family simcha) and
praised him for his activities. At the next City Council
meeting Rabbi Wiliger will deliver a final address,
summarizing the activities of the first half of the term of
office. Rabbi Blitental will serve as chairman of the Torah
Culture Committee, as well as on other municipal
committees.
The City Council unanimously approved a change in the
position of the deputy mayor of Haifa. Rabbi Avrohom
Weitzman of Shas, who is serving his second term of office
in the City Council, will replace Rabbi Moshe Shtetman who
has presided for 14 consecutive years as deputy mayor.
Unlike other parties that failed to honor their internal
rotation agreements, UTJ has honored its agreements in an
exemplary manner. Other Council members noted this in their
remarks and expressed their commendation for UTJ: a true
kiddush sheim Shomayim.
