Religious community centers vie for extra State funding
Directors of Keren Kehilot centers meet finance minister, request additional funding for community services
Some 20 representatives of community centers belonging to the Keren Kehilot organization met with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz recently to discuss a possible budget increase for the Zionist religious group.
Shay Tuval, who heads Keren Kehilot, an umbrella organization coordinating over 50 "Garin Torani" centers nationwide, told Steinitz that State funding for the movement remained unchanged for the past 15 years, despite the growth and development it has undergone.
The centers promote social change and religious values primarily within periphery towns.
"We hope that our cooperation with the Treasury will grow and empower the Garin centers' commendable work across the country," Tuval said.
During the meeting, community center directors from the cities of Lod, Beersheba and Acre showcased the projects and activities that they coordinate, including various education and welfare services.
The finance minister lauded the organization's work and promised to look into the movement's funding.
MK Zion Pinyan, who serves on the Knesset's Finance Committee, attended the meeting as well, and expressed hope that the movement will continue to thrive in the coming years.
