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16 Shevat 5765 - January 26, 2005 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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NEWS
Festive Meeting of New Modi'in Illit Local Council

By A. Cohen

The Modi'in Illit Local Council held a festive meeting after its recent formation. All of the speakers noted the prevailing unity and the privilege of being able to participate in such an event. The meeting, held at the community center in Achuzat Brachfeld, was attended by the moro de'asra of the city HaRav Meir Kessler, local rabbonim, roshei kollelim, MKs, principals of local educational institutions and other public figures.

The event was led by the council's Communications Advisor, who stressed the achievements made by the Council Head during his first term including ten local ordinances that led to the local council's structure of rule, underground infrastructures, an education law starting at the age of three that assists city residents, the amalgamation of Kiryat Sefer and Achuzat Brachfeld with the closure of the road between them to outside traffic, efforts to increase employment — a goal the Council Head has been pursuing vigorously — and the recently-approved school lunch program.

Turning to the council's goals he noted funding for the Shabbos electricity program, which has been backed by gedolei Yisroel shlita, was already passed at the council's first meeting.

The first speaker was HaRav Kessler, who thanked all those who were involved in the election process, which served to promote peace in the city, notably MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni and Council Chairman Rabbi Yaakov Gutterman. He noted Rabbi Gutterman's success in running local affairs, recalling their first meeting four years ago when Rabbi Gutterman, with the backing of all gedolei Yisroel, was asked to assume the post.

HaRav Aharon Dov Freund, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Imrei Tzvi and rosh kollel of Beis Abbo, conveyed blessings in the name of the city's Torah institutions, noting the Council Chairman's efforts toward developing local kollelim and other religious institutions despite budget cuts by government ministries. He called Rabbi Gutterman a true shlucho derabbonon chosen through true elections since gedolei Yisroel were the ones to select him.

Degel HaTorah Secretary MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni spoke about the Degel HaTorah committee that worked with him to appoint the deputy mayors of Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, Rabbi Avrohom Rubinstein, Rabbi Uri Maklev and Rabbi Moshe Schiffman. The committee came to the city, met with the various officials and formed the list of council members together with local residents. He also noted the dedicated efforts of the council members and the need for cooperate on issues currently on the agenda. He said although he knows numerous council heads around the country, the Modi'in Illit Council Chairman is unique among them and his work leads to kiddush Sheim Shomayim.

Other speakers included MK Rabbi Meir Porush, Rabbi Shmuel Halpert, Agudas Yisroel Secretary Rabbi Chanoch Zeivald, Shas Chairman Eliyahu Yishai, Local Council Vice Chairman Rabbi Gidon Cohen, Deputies Rabbi Mordechai Goldberg and Rabbi Eliyahu Malul, Council Members Rabbi Menachem Shapira, Rabbi Edward Narkis and Rabbi Yaakov Wallenstein and finally Council Chairman Rabbi Yaakov Gutterman.

 

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