Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel Speaks out against Nys Probe into Yeshiva Secular Education Standards - See More At: Http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/417099/satmar-rebbe-of-kiryas-yoel-speaks-out-against-nys-probe-into-yeshiva-secular-education-standards.html#sthash.7rwdudrl.dpuf

Yeshiva World
May 11, 2016

http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/417099/satmar-rebbe-of-kiryas-yoel-speaks-out-against-nys-probe-into-yeshiva-secular-education-standards.html


On Tuesday the New York Daily News reported that the Satmar Rebbe of Kiryas Yoel, Rav Aaron Teitelbaum gave a Drasha to his thousands of followers in response to the city Education Department’s investigation into its schools for failing to provide adequate secular education as required by law.

“These are bad times for us Jews,” said the Satmar Rebbe. “We need to pray to Hashem that (city officials) should not interfere with the upbringing of our children.”

“Worthless … snitches” in the community are urging the government to take action “which the government doesn’t even want,” the Rebbe continued.

Last summer the Education Department announced that more than a dozen private schools would be investigated to make sure their curriculum follows secular education standards.

Nearly a year later, the review is continuing, though advocates say the Education Department is just stalling.

“This speech is concerning in many ways,” said Naftuli Moster, who founded Young Advocates for Fair Education, a group that works towards making yeshivas meet secular standards required by state law.

“Most concerning is the apparent collusion between community leaders and the (department) which might explain why the city investigation stalled early on,” he added.

The Satmar Rebbe’s address was transcribed and distributed to followers living in different areas, the Daily News reported.

The Rebbe also says the city has long ignored the state law regarding secular education.

“To put it bluntly, they simply turned a blind eye to what was going on by the Jewish children,” he said. “They didn’t want to look.”

City authorities say the review is active.

“We take this matter very seriously,” said Education Department spokeswoman Toya Holness to the Daily News.