Title: Ministry of Religious Services Proudly Initiates Distribution of Sweets to Children for Simchat Torah
In an effort to foster a stronger connection between children and tradition, the Ministry of Religious Services has announced a new initiative for Simchat Torah. The ministry plans to distribute 250,000 sweets to children throughout the country. The aim is to bring the children of Israel closer to their cultural heritage.
This distribution of sweets in honor of the holiday will be facilitated through the religious councils across the nation. The cost of this initiative, according to the director general of the ministry, stands at 650 thousand shekels.
This significant allocation of funds for sweets supplements the six million shekels already allocated for the Tishrei holidays. The Tishrei project includes silihot tours, second laps, and the provision of refreshments such as cakes, crackers, and coffee for synagogues and prayer gatherings.
When questioned about the initiative, Minister Michael Malchiali’s spokesperson responded with a lack of knowledge regarding the details.
Yehuda Avidan, the director general of the Ministry of Religious Services, defended the decision by highlighting the disparity in funding for cultural activities like performing arts. Avidan argued that hundreds of millions of shekels are allocated annually for secular and traditional events, involving a relatively small population. In his view, the 650 thousand shekels spent on the countrywide distribution of sweets is a minimal expense in comparison.
Despite Avidan’s stance, many argue that this is a significant amount of money. Just recently, the Ministry of Religious Services cut NIS 330,000 from the Authority for Holocaust Survivors, citing a lack of funds due to allocations for ultra-Orthodox educational institutions. While the survivors’ allowances remained untouched, this reallocation has raised concerns about the order of priorities within the ministry.
Yishai Cohen, a senior commentator and presenter on the ultra-Orthodox website “Kikar HaShabbat,” shared his perspective on the initiative. Cohen emphasized the importance of including non-ultra-Orthodox individuals and the significance of the tradition for many families. He also highlighted the budget allocation for sporting events and asked whether the same scrutiny should be applied to those budgets as well.
Cohen further explained that the candies and festivities during Simchat Torah serve as a means of bringing children closer to their tradition. He expressed pride in the fact that his tax money supports such initiatives, supporting the view that the distribution of sweets is a worthwhile investment.
In response to critics questioning the distribution of the sweets in ultra-Orthodox cities, Cohen clarified that this initiative aims to benefit all children, regardless of religious adherence. He stressed that the budget allocation for the initiative has no bearing on the budget of ultra-Orthodox education or the budget for Holocaust survivors.
The initiative has sparked a debate on the distribution of funds and the order of priorities within the Ministry of Religious Services. However, supporters argue that the distribution of sweets brings joy to children during this important holiday and helps preserve cultural traditions.
The Ministry of Religious Services continues to stand by its decision, highlighting the significance of this initiative in preserving and strengthening cultural ties.