Overview
- Retired judge Dovid (David) Cheshin’s 160-plus page arbitration ruling requires the Markowitz camp to leave all Ponovezh facilities by 16 Av 5786 (July 30, 2026).
- The ruling prohibits Rav Shmuel Markowitz and his institutions from using the Ponovezh name or logo and from presenting him as rosh yeshiva of Ponovezh.
- The Markowitz side was ordered to pay about 10 million shekels plus VAT to Kahaneman-controlled entities as reduced ‘usage fees’ and maintenance cost sharing.
- Cheshin noted that arbitration awards can be challenged only on limited grounds in district court, or appealed if the parties explicitly agreed to allow appeals in advance.
- An attorney for the Markowitz faction said they will seek to void the ruling and request a stay, while Rav Markowitz told students to avoid retaliation and continue their studies.