Shabbat at Sheinkin

B"H

Usually Sheinkin Street in Tel Aviv is known to be one of the most secular areas you can imagine. Until some time ago, it was THE most popular street. Cafes, shops with freaky clothes, horrendous rents, people not really dressed in a modest way, whatever you can imagine. Today, Sheinkin has lost almost all its glory, as Rothschild Boulevard has taken over. However Sheinkin is still a brand name although the Breslover Chassidim have opened a branch. And not too far away, you can actually find quite a lot Haredim.

Sheinkin, placed between King George and Allenby Street, also has a different attraction. Right next to the park, you can find a rather huge looking Synagogue belonging to Chabad. The first floor of the Synagogue is basically divided into two parts. Today's Synagogue, a rather new and modern looking Synagogue; and another huge Synagogue room. The huge room is not in use anymore although you can still find an Aron HaKodesh (Torah shrine).

I became aware of this Synagogue by accident but, as I don't believe in accidents, maybe there was a special reason for me going to this particular Synagogue. On Erev Shabbat (Friday night) I went for the Kabbalat Shabbat service. The atmosphere was cozy. Probably because not too many people were there. It took some time until the Rabbi showed up and slowly, slowly, more people walked in. In the end, there were about 20 men and 10 women.

I can only tell you about the women's side placed right behind a wooden Mechitzah; behind the men's side. In the middle of the service, the Rabbi gave a Drasha (teaching) where he spoke about the celebration of the Hachnasat Sefer Torah taking place a day before (last Thursday). Getting a new Torah scroll and taking it in a kind of festive procession to the Synagogue, is always an exciting event. As far as I understood, the procession took place from King George to the Synagogue near Sheinkin. The Rabbi was very excited when he told us that even secular car drivers got off their vehicles in order to come over and kiss the Torah. Bystanders got so excited and had tears in their eyes. And this in downtown secular Tel Aviv. "We have to accept what is here and hopefully it will improve", the Rabbi said.

I decided to go back for Shacharit, the morning service, because the Rabbi had announced that it will be the first time, the new Torah scroll is taken out of the Aron HaKodesh (shrine) and the Parasha is being read from it. Another reason was that Bnei Brak was a little far away and I didn't want to think walking there in the terrible humid heat. For Shacharit about 30 men showed up and after the Torah reading they had a great dancing with the new scroll.

I have to say that the people were extremely nice. However, not everyone is Chabad. In fact, the majority of participants was not Chabad. It was a good mixture of half Sepharadim and half Ashkenazim. At 6.10 pm in the evening, I went back for a Pirkei Avot (Saying of the Fathers) class. A women's class run by a Chabadnikit. Not bad although Chabad always teaches Chabad teachings but our teacher also mentioned Rashi. That's something, sarcastically speaking.

In case you are in Tel Aviv and you are looking for a good chassidic Synagogue service near the beach, go to this particular Chabad Synagogue and you will be warmly welcomed. What you should not do is expecting a Kiddush, as everyone goes home after the service. It didn't matter to me because I had prepared some food and made Kiddush by myself. However, I really enjoyed the service and the class, and if I am in the area, I will definitely go back.

In case you go - Hebrew is a must !!!!!!
In the near future, Chabad is also planning to open up a Yeshiva in the Synagogue building.