Anouncement Regarding Education by Rabbis I‭. ‬Z‭. ‬Meltzer and Z‭. ‬P‭. ‬Frank

Announcement supporting education in the original Talmud Torahs, signed by R. Zvi Pesach Frank and R. Isser Zalman Meltzer. 1953.

The announcement was typewritten and signed by the two rabbis, apparently to be printed and publicized. The background of the announcement was a widespread controversy over Charedi education generated by the opening of the Chinuch Atzmai network of independent schools in Israel. The Rabbis enthusiastically supported the new schools and encouraged their followers to enroll their children. In this announcement, the rabbis clarify that their directive was for those children who had learned previously in the Zerem Revi’i network (which preceded Chinuch Atzmai) or similar schools. Without doubt, those children learning in the old-time chadorim were to remain where they were and not be transferred to the Chinuch Atzmai schools. The topic of charedi education continues to be a hot topic in Israel, up until these days, literally.

R. Zvi Pesach Frank was one of the leading halachic authorities in Jerusalem and also served as Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi. He authored the series Har Zvi and more. R. Isser Zalman Meltzer was born in Mir, poland, in 1870 and was Rosh Yeshiva in Slobodka. Later he moved to Slutsk where he was Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva. In 1925 he moved to Jerusalem to take up the position as Rosh Yeshiva of ’Etz Chaim,’ leaving his son-in-law R. Aharon Kotler to head his yeshiva in Poland. R. Isser Zalman wrote the series ’Even HaEzel’ on Maimonides’ Mishne Torah.