On July 9, 2012, the Knesset’s new lobby dedicated to integrating Haredi ("ultra-Orthodox”) Jews in the job market was launched. The lobby was formed at the initiative of Hanoch Rogoziniski a student in the “Matzpen” Project who did an outstanding job. The impressive event was attended by the Speaker of the Knesset, Mr. Reuven Rivlin. The purpose of the parliamentary lobby is to promote the employment of Haredi ("ultra-Orthodox”) Jews, especially those with an academic education. Rabbi Yehezkel Fogel, Dr. Ilan (Daniels) Rahimi and Mr. Rafi Glick from Ono Academic College attended the launch. Other MKs, headed by MK Yoel Hasson, attended the launch. Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin noted that following a letter from the head of the Students' Union on the OAC Haredi Campus, he asked employers to give priority to the Haredi interns. Subsequently, the Knesset hired another Haredi women as an intern in its legal department. Dr. Ilan (Daniels) Rahimi, Director of Academic-Social Development at OAC and head of Matzpen, addressed the lobby and stressed the commitment of the Ono Academic College to the occupational and social advancement of Haredi Jews, through the lobby.

 

Matzpen  is a Hebrew acronym for “Excellence and Applied Management Practice” and its literal meaning is "Compass." This year, approximately ten outstanding students from the Matzpen project interned in the Knesset, under the supervision of Matzpen Knesset coordinator, Mr. Rafi Glick. Project Matzpen in Knesset will continue its work next year. The date for submitting applications for the project will be announced.

 

  • For a description of the lobby on the Knesset's English website, click here.
  • For an English article on the lobby on the Atutz Sheva: Israel National News website, click here.  

For Hebrew news articles on establishment of the lobby, click on the links below: