Rabbi Yehuda Amital and Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein (Commemoration of Their Memory and Work) Bill, 5785-2025

The bill is intended to pass on the legacy, vision, and work of Rabbi Yehuda Amital and Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein to future generations. Rabbi Amital was the founder and head of Yeshivat Har Etzion and a minister in the Israeli government. Rabbi Lichtenstein was a Torah scholar, held a doctorate in English literature, and was a recipient of the Rabbi Kook Prize for Torah literature. The goals of the law are to commemorate their memory and educate future generations in accordance with their religious-Zionist vision. The law stipulates the establishment of a public commemoration center and a public council in their memory. The council will consist of 11 members: four government representatives (from the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Sport, and the Ministry of Religious Services), a representative of the IDF, a representative of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, a representative from the academic staff of an institution of higher education, a representative from the educational staff of a pre-military preparatory program, a representative from the Council of Youth Movements, and a representative from Yeshivat Har Etzion. In addition, a head of a local authority or an employee thereof will be a member of the council. The Minister of Education will appoint the chairperson of the council, with the council's approval. The composition of the council will ensure appropriate representation for women and diverse groups in the population. The functions of the public council include advising the Minister of Education regarding the implementation of the law, recommending policies and goals for promoting the law's activities, and advising the minister regarding the determination of criteria for supporting public institutions. The council will conduct activities in memory of the rabbis, including holding events, preparing value-based educational curricula, and professional development for teachers and instructors. The council will prepare an annual budget proposal for the implementation of the law and submit it for the approval of the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance. Council members who are not state employees will not be entitled to a salary for their membership, but will be entitled to reimbursement of expenses. Council members will be appointed for a three-year term, and their tenure may be renewed for two additional terms. A member of the council will not be appointed if they have been convicted of a criminal or disciplinary offense, unless the erasure period has passed.

Source: הצעת חוק לדיון מוקדם