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Tali Leibman and Odaya Shvutz, News Haifa & Krayot

The removal of tefillin stands by Haifa municipality inspectors has sparked public outrage. According to the organizers of the tefillin and Shabbat candle distribution stands, there was no justification for the inspectors’ intervention, as “there is no disturbance to the public.”

City officials, however, claim the enforcement was necessary to maintain public order.

One of the stands, set up opposite a School, was run by Rabbi Menachem Cohen in memory of his brother, Shneur Cohen HY”D, who fell in Gaza. The stand, located across the street, offered tefillin and distributed Shabbat candles.

Organizers reported that city inspectors demanded the stand be removed and treated them “rudely and even with threats,” adding: “No one is disturbed or bothered by us.”

Last Friday, Haifa city inspectors approached a stand run by Shliach Rabbi Uri Lemberg outside Alliance School, ordering him to cease distributing Shabbat candles and assisting with tefillin.

Rabbi Lemberg, who has operated the stand for 25 years, described widespread support from school staff and students:

“The teachers bless me, the students come, and even the school principal personally comes to put on tefillin.”

Despite the support and distance from the school gate, inspectors reportedly keep returning: “They’ve been harassing us for months.” Rabbi Lemberg emphasized that the activity is entirely voluntary: “I don’t force anyone; only those who want to come, come.”

Rabbi Lemberg added that he received a fine: “It’s 730 shekels—that’s outrageous. They told us we wouldn’t be touched if I moved, so I moved, and they still came.” He noted that students and teachers were disappointed by the interference: “The children… and even the teachers were very sad that I had to move; there is such love here. Why not unite, why not connect?”

Shliach to Haifa, Rabbi Yehuda Ginzburg, stated that this is long-standing Chabad activity:

“For decades, Chabad has offered Jews the opportunity to put on tefillin kindly, without any coercion.”

He added that many students request to put on tefillin in the morning: “There are young teenagers who want to put on tefillin, so they come to us.”

Rabbi Ginzburg noted that the enforcement does not come from the schools: “We understand this is not related to the schools but comes from the city. We regret that inspectors threaten those who simply want to do good.”

Haifa Municipality Response:

“The fine was issued based on the municipal ordinance for maintaining public order, which prohibits causing disturbance, nuisance, discomfort, or interference in public spaces. The activity at the location created a disruption to public order and pedestrian movement, and enforcement was therefore carried out in accordance with the law.”

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