The school year began more than a month ago, but David Varhaftig (third grade) and Mel Varhaftig (first grade) have still not started their studies and have yet to hear the school welcoming them. The two brothers, new immigrants from Russia , have been the object of harassment at the Eshkol school in Rosh Ayin. Their mother has asked to have them transferred to the Tal school in another district of the city, but the city refuses to allow them to attend the school. Recently, guards were stationed at the school gate specifically to prevent the two boys from entering.
“My boys suffered when they went to the Eshkol school, where they were the only two immigrants,” says the brothers' mother, Julia Varhaftig. “Last year, my oldest son David would come home almost every day beaten and bruised. I often asked the school administration to intervene, but nothing was done. My youngest son was severely beaten by other students and was forced to defend himself. He's become aggressive too early.”
Julia says that before the beginning of the school year, she asked for a meeting with Mayor Moshe Sinai, to ask for permission to transfer her sons to the Tal school, although it is located in another district of Rosh Haayin. “The mayor showed no interest in me,” she says. “He strongly refused to meet me or discuss the issue in a city council meeting.”
Sneaking to school
When school started and the city had taken no measures, Julia Varhaftig decided to do something: she sent her children to the Tal school. “I decided to do something myself because of the mayor's stubbornness,” she says. “I chose the Tal school because my sons have friends there and there are other new immigrants there, as well as students from other areas. The city is ignoring the enrollment of some students in the Tal school from other districts. Even the school principal showed some understanding and agreed that my sons could attend the school.”
Apparently, the Rosh Ayin municipality took Julia's initiative as a personal insult. City employees waited for the right time and put guards at the school gate to prevent her boys from entering.
Ironically, while some primary students attempt to skip school, David and Mel were trying to slip past the guards at the gate to enter the school. David often managed to climb the fence around the school and enter classes, but he was ultimately thrown out.
We opened our own classroom
“We opened our own classroom in front of the school,” says Julia. “We brought desks and chairs, and two other boys with a similar story, and we started to teach. The guards came and removed us by pushing us away and cursing us. One of the boys fell on the pavement and required treatment. We intend to file a complaint with the police. We've also demonstrated a lot in front of city hall, but to this day, one month after the start of the school year, my children are not going to school, because the city does not want to listen to our demands.”
On Rosh Hashanah, David sent a letter to Minister of Education Limor Livnat, wishing her a happy new year and asking her if he and his younger brother could attend the Tal school in Rosh Ayin. There is still no response from the ministry.
Reader responses to the article
Discrimination
I think this is discrimination. Why is it allowed for Israelis but not for Russians? Because we don't have democracy—Eleanor.
What have we become?
As usual, the new immigrant and the average citizen are ground down. Then we want more immigrants to come to Israel . What a shame. I personally would convince anyone thinking of immigrating to stay in his own country because the situation here is unfortunate. I also call for the dismissal of the stubborn mayor—Iniquity.
Frustrated citizen
My mother came to Israel by herself when she was 11 years old! Because she dreamed of reaching the holy land. What patriotism. She also transmitted the patriotism germ to me. But since I was released from the army about ten years ago, I've gradually lost my patriotism. The Jewish people have not a speck of goodness or mercy. Almost all of them are thieves. Look at the leadership. They treat others wickedly and insult Ethiopians, Russians, and everyone who differs from them. What a noble people! The “chosen people” will not allow children to go to school. Let's just keep this up. Maybe we'll live to be 120, or maybe we'll die before then—Teacher.
Disgusting
How disgusting. These poor children. The mother should stand up to the city! I wonder what they would do if this had happened to a Knesset member. But when it's a matter of the poor, they don't do a thing. Everyone here is only concerned with himself!—Daniel, Bat.
What insolence. Can't you let a child go to school where he wants? Who are you to refuse him? Let's just admit that this is the most racist, discriminatory country in the world!—Pinky.
Important
Stop just a second to understand something. The mayor is a Polish Ashkenazi! He isn't a Yemeni mayor who has come to discriminate. On the contrary! This has been going on for a long time in this city. What a disgrace that something like this should happen that harms innocent children!—Lehi.
Let's leave Israel !
Why don't all we Russians just leave Israel and forget this nightmare? There are many countries in the world. When all is said and done, no one is keeping us here. If they don't want us, let's leave. We don't have to stay in Israel or even remain Jews—Alex.
Racist mayor
As we all know, Israeli children have a strong tendency to abuse those who differ from them, but considering the support of racist officials who abuse poor immigrants because they can't speak, such abuse continues. I think that the racism in Rosh Ayin is beyond any criticism. I call on the Ministry of Interior to remove the mayor and form a committee to investigate those who cooperate to humiliate and attack children!—Michael Kone.
How low can the world go? I don't understand the attitude of the mayor of Rosh Ayin. There are two things I want to say about this incident: 1) The behavior of the children is blatantly anti-Semitic, even though they teach them that Jews were treated like this, and 2) if the adults are better, why are they conspiring against the education of these children? Who wants to go to school in a place where he is persecuted and unwanted?—Concerned.
The mayor
This type of mayor should be fired. The bastard should be ashamed of himself—Alex.
Come in
Anyone who wants to leave should go ahead and do it. We don't need him here! We're not forcing you to stay here—Shani.
People, come in, come in
This is insolence. I have nothing to do with discrimination, but I can tell you that the mayor in question is a bastard Moroccan. The teachers are also Moroccan. That's why they don't care about the kids. Is this brotherhood? What insolence. They're also Jews. Be human, you bastards. I'm sick of this corrupt country—For the sake of the people.
Come in
Let's bring down this dog of a mayor—A resident of Rosh Ayin.
What a shame
What's happening is frightening. What's next? Will Ethiopian infants not be allowed to use the services at the child services centers? Will they stop selling medicine to Russians? I'm sure the mayor drives an Audi that cost one million shekels. Undoubtedly his children study at the best, most expensive school. What about the guard who pushed the child? He's lucky the guard didn't just stab him. If they were native Jews do you think the same think would be happening?—Anna.
A nation eating its people
Enough violence. Enough hatred. Enough bigotry. Blacks and whites: our end is near, and it will come from within—You Jews, what's the end?
Israel is shocking. We've lost our humanity. We're barbarians—Amit. |