Following a month-long consumer boycott by some Haredi Jews of Angel Bakeries, the chairman of the firm’s board apologizes for the harm he caused by attending a rally in Bnei Brak in favor of national service by Haredim.
Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, head of the Ponevezh Yeshiva, seen at his home after lighting the Hanukkah candles on the fourth night of Hanukkah, in Bnei Brak, December 5, 2018. (Aharon Krohn/Flash90)
Former public security minister Omer Barlev, who this year began serving as the top executive for the popular bread maker, pays a condolence shiva visit to the relatives of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, the late leader of the Lithuanian stream of Ashkenazi Haredi Jews. Edelstein, a top decision-maker for the United Torah Judaism party, died Tuesday at the age of 100.
In his letter of apology, which he leaves with his hosts, Barlev notes that reports in the media that the rally was held outside the rabbi’s home are wrong, and that he meant to send a general message as a private citizen and not to “defy” the rabbi. In reality, the rally happened outside the Ponevezh Yeshiva, which Edelstein had headed since 2000.
Barlev writes that “if I had been made aware of the situation we found ourselves in, and the harm caused, I surely would have refrained from this action.”
“For this I am sorry and apologize sincerely,” he writes, without specifying whether he is apologizing for attending the rally, or just for the unintentional harm this caused.
Is The Times of Israel important to you?
If so, we have a request.
Every day, even during war, our journalists keep you abreast of the most important developments that merit your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fast, fair and free coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
We care about Israel - and we know you do too. So today, we have an ask: show your appreciation for our work by joining The Times of Israel Community, an exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and financially support our work.
Yes, I'll give
Yes, I'll give
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You appreciate our journalism
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
You clearly find our careful reporting valuable, in a time when facts are often distorted and news coverage often lacks context.
Your support is essential to continue our work. We want to continue delivering the professional journalism you value, even as the demands on our newsroom have grown dramatically since October 7.
So today, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6 a month you'll become our partners while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this