Lakewood: Bais Hatorah Remains Closed

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bais-hatorahOne week after Yeshiva Bais Hatorah in Lakewood, NJ, announced that it was forced to close due to a financial shortfall, the close to 400 students of the yeshiva largely remain stranded and without a school. The school administration, however, is working without rest to put together the funds needed to get the yeshiva back on a financial footing that will allow it to reopen.

Last night, hundreds of parents of the school – fathers and mothers – gathered at the school campus on Swarthmore Avenue in Lakewood’s Industrial Park, where they heard divrei chizuk from Rav Malkiel Kotler, rosh yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha, and received an update on the effort to reopen the school. The assemblage was told that once a “responsible budget” is formed, the school will be able to reopen.  

Matzav.com has been told that the large majority of the students have not found other schools in the interim; local schools in Lakewood have limited, if any, ability to accept new students.

The school administration, led by its executive director, Rabbi Binyomin Heinemann, continues to labor to raise the funds necessary to cover the institution’s $500,000 shortfall.

One parent of the school told Matzav.com that he is optimistic that eventually – he doesn’t know how long it will take – a solution will be found to allow the school to reopen.

As reported here, the school was told by Rav Matisyahu Salomon, mashgiach of Beth Medrash Govoha, who is a grandparent of the school and has guided the school since its founding, that it may not open until money is raised to cover the school’s 14-week delay in salary payments and a budget for the future is put in place.

Parents of the school gathered last week at the home of Rav Salomon in Lakewood to try to find a solution for the hundreds of students who are as of yet without a school.

The boys’ elementary school is now entering its 12th year.

{Matzav.com Newscenter/Photo courtesy of the popular Lakewood24/6}


11 COMMENTS

  1. The Rabonim shuld condem in the strongest possible words the ‘VACATIONS’ during the yom tovim including Succoss and Pesach.Thousands of dollars are spent on these frills that should be directed to yeshivos.This would mitigate some of the problems.

  2. It’s time for the community of government to begin bailing out the failing schools. They are no worse than the banks.

    Where are all the asifos to raise money and pontificate about the tremendous problem?

  3. to #3
    IT SURE IS & a wake up call also for every yid to start caring for one another & not just each person for himself. when that happens then Hashem is ready to help us with everything

  4. This is a tragedy and more of this kind of news will come unless the Jewish community recognizes its collective responsibility — the way their ancestors did in Europe before WW2. It is a mitzvah to educate a Jewish child. I am sure that the staff of the school was getting paid low salaries compared to what they could be getting if they taught in the public schools.

  5. #1 – when you make the money, you have a right to spend it (flaunting is a different story). If a guy makes 5 million a year by his own honest self, and he’s paid his maasar and his tuition and his other obligations, how can you tell him he’s not allowed to relax for a month in a posh hotel in the alps?? Until he gives $$ to Bais Hatorah?

    It is very admirable to have money and not live a luxurious life, but it is by no means required or even requested for a rich man to live like he’s poor!!! Even in hilchos tzedaka, if a man was accustomed to a white horse running before him, that is considered his “needs” when giving him tzedaka. Kal v’chomer when he has the money, has fulfilled his obligations, and wants to spend it on his own needs/wants!!

    So yes, a fellow CAN go on vacations when some school(s) is struggling. He may be an (unusual) tzaddik if he doesn’t, but he’s certainly not condemned if he does…………

  6. PS. to clarify further…
    It is very admirable to have money and not live a luxurious life, but it is by no means required or even requested for a rich man to live like he’s poor, or even to enjoy less personal luxuries than *you* think are reasonable!!!

  7. I have an answer…Send you kids to school to an out of town Yeshiva that has the money. Places like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland. It’s the same Torah that they would learn in Lakewood. Lets face it, the rising costs of operating a school is to much for the parents. Therefor, the parents should look for places that are more inline with financial situation. You always here these romanticized stories of children in Europe going of to Yeshiva; so, if it was good then do the same thing now. In addition it will make the kids grow up more and be more independent.

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