An Urgent Call to Prayer

Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 8:19 AM
Subject: [GMN] Important Update Concerning Makor HaTikvah.

Dear Friends of Makor HaTikvah: 

I know that you, along with many others who support and pray for us, have been waiting to hear if we have received an answer concerning our request for state recognition of our school.  We have, and so I want to let you know what has happened. 

As some of you may know, about three years ago, Makor HaTikvah Messianic Day School began a process of seeking official state recognition for our school. Encouraged by the Ministry of Education to come under their supervision, we felt that this would not only give more weight and legitimacy to our school, which had, by that time, already been operating for 20 years, but we also saw this as a way to gain the much needed financial help that would result from such recognition and state funding. 

All throughout this process, we carefully and systematically followed all the procedures which were required of us, including making certain structural changes to our building in order to conform to all of the required standards which were demanded of state recognized schools.  We were happy to receive a final approval from the Board of Health and continued to move forward in order to reach the end of this process. 

In that regard, we met with regional officials who interviewed us, filled out voluminous paperwork concerning our course of studies, teacher qualifications, etc., and interviewed many students, by speaking to them personally, and viewing their classes.  They commented about how impressed they were with our school, our resources and our levels and standards and that we’d receive an answer within one to three months.  That was around late October/early November of 2012.  

After not hearing beyond that time, we began to inquire in the beginning of February, and it wasn’t until a few days ago that we received a final answer which denied our request for a license and was accompanied by a court order to close our school within 30 days. 

Among the reasons given for the denial were: 

1.      Our teachers are not certified, qualified or possess degrees (a claim which is entirely false)

2.     The building is unsuitable for a school (certainly not according to the Ministry of Health who already gave us their approval)

3.     Our student body is too small with no hope of significant expansion of enrollment in the future (that is nothing which can be claimed with certainty)

4.     We discriminate by only accepting believing children (state recognition and funding would force us allow the enrollment of any child, but, of course, we know that non-believing Israeli families would not think of enrolling their children in a school which studies New Testament and prays to God in the name of Yeshua) 

Since there is a court order to close our school,  we have retained the help of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice, which is led by two believing attorneys Calev Myers and Michael Decker who have vast experience and success in representing schools in Israel in similar circumstances. These lawyers also deeply care about the issue (Calev has two girls who study at the school). They have filed a petition has been filed with the courts in order to freeze this order and appeal the decision of the Ministry of Education. We have already received one answer from the court ordering the state attorney's office to respond by the 7^th of April 2013, which is a Sunday, the day the closure order will be in effect (de facto), as the 5^th of April is a Friday. The judge will probably render his decision on the injunction on the 7^th of April, and therefore the 7^th of April will be a very important day regarding the school's future.  We are asking you to please be in much prayer about this situation. 

This is a process which will require an investment of hundreds of hours of work, and the estimated costs for the administrative appeal and closure order are $30,000 plus 17% tax.  Additionally, there is another $650 for court costs.  Of course, if it becomes necessary to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, further legal expenses will be incurred.  It should be noted that these legal fees are being reduced by 30% since we are a Messianic school. 

This order comes just days before the Passover holiday when most government offices are shut down and, therefore, leaves us little time to seek the relief which we must.  Additionally, school resumes on April 3^rd, meaning that if such an order would be upheld, it would impact the continuing education of the 82 children who attend Makor HaTikvah, making it impossible for them to finish in June.  Of course, finding a school for so many children who live in many different areas of Jerusalem , would, undoubtedly, cause a break in their studies and cause great hardship for parents who would be forced to find an alternative educational situation for their children. 

We are writing to you, our supporters, to let you know just how serious this situation is and to ask you, first and foremost to pray for favor from the judge who will be hearing this case.  Additionally, we are praying that our appeal will be accepted and that our attorneys will be able to show that the claims made are both false and biased.  We know that there are a number of orthodox Jewish schools as well as other schools which have small enrollments and whose building is in far less of a desirable condition than ours which has been significantly upgraded in the past four years. 

We are asking you to please prayerfully consider helping us to pay these legal fees so that the only Messianic Jewish school in Jerusalem can continue to operate and provide a godly alternative to educate the children of the Jerusalem body of believers in the land of Israel .  Satan must not win this battle.  In fact, we believe that this is the last deadly dart that he will be able to throw at us before victory comes. More than ever, we need you to stand with us now and help us win this battle.  The Jerusalem Institute of Justice which was established to legally take cases which discriminate against Jewish believers has agreed to the burden of financing the legal fees so that the school would not feel the weight of this tremendous load.  Therefore, if you feel that you would like to actively participate in the financial undertaking of this legal process, please send those gifts to: 

Jerusalem Institute of Justice, Bank HaPoalim, Branch 782
Branch Address:   Rehavia, 38 Azza St. , Jerusalem. Account # 213731
SWIFT No.: POALILIT. IBAN No: IL40-0127-8200-0000-0213-731 

We are putting our hopes in God and know that we are waging a spiritual battle – not just a legal one.  Thank you so much for your anticipated prayers, intercession and faithful friendship as we stand together to keep Makor HaTikvah open!  

Finally, the Lord gave me this verse just this morning:  Prov. 3 The Message Bible:  “No need to panic over alarms or surprises or predictions that doomsday’s just round the corner, because God will be right there with you.  He’ll keep you safe and sound!”

Many blessings, 

Cookie Schwaeber-Issan, Principal, Makor HaTikvah Messianic Day School

Along with the School Staff and Board. www.makorhatikvah.org
972-2-502-2916 (Tel)  972-2-502-2915 (Fax)