Today: "Mass Prayer for Israeli soldiers at the Kotel"

B"H

I read somewhere that the Neturei Karta is demonstrating in favour of Hamas and asking for the destruction of the State of Israel. My advice to those guys is: Go to Gaza and join the Hamas but don't forget your carpet for the daily prayers !

A mass prayer for Israeli soldiers is going to take place at the Kotel this afternoon:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162194#.UKigAoZX5aU

I am seriously thinking about joining !

Rachel's Yahrzeit

B"H

This Shabbat, Parashat Lech Lecha, is the Yahrzeit of our foremother Rachel and Kever Rachel offers some great information and a LIVE CAM:

See KEVER RACHEL 

http://www.keverrachel.com/content.asp?lang=en&pageid=35

You can watch a Live Video here:

http://www.keverrachel.com/content.asp?lang=en&pageid=86

Where to go in Jerusalem during Sukkot ?

Mea Shearim Street

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

The Jewish world is celebrating its Sukkot and thousands of visitors have been streaming to Jerusalem. In the days of the First and Second Temple it was a great Mitzvah going up to the Temple Mount, to the Beit HaMikdash, and sacrificing the Korban Chagigah. Even the non - Jewish world went up to the Temple during Sukkot and brought sacrifices. Today, the Mitzvah for the Jews still remains and thousands are visiting the Old City these days. Furthermore, there are about 6000 Christans from abroad visiting the capital but mainly for missionary reasons. In fact, the entire "Jerusalem Parade" taking place this Thursday is a missionary event organized by the vicious Christian Embassy located in Jerusalem. No wonder that Mea Shearim keeps on putting out warnings all the time.

What is there to do for Jews in Jerusalem during the holiday of Sukkot ?
First of all, the BIRKAT HA'COHANIM taking place during Shacharit tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, the Jewish Quarter will be totally packed and in case you are hungry or thirsty, make sure to eat before showing up and buy your drinks in the New City because the Jewish Quarter will be a rip - off for many purses. 

As a matter of fact, most visitors are going to stream into the Old City where plenty of events are taking place. Among others, the free trips organized by Yeshivat ATERET COHANIM. The Yeshiva students will take you through the Arab and Christian Quarter of the Old City in order to show you where Ateret Cohanim bought houses from Arabs and turned the property into Jewish homes. Today there are quite a few religious Jews living in the middle of the Arab and Christian Quarter. Protected by private security companies as well as the Israeli Border Police. 

Those trips are in HEBREW only !





Sukkot is a holiday where Israelis love to make nature trips. Thus the Dead Sea, the beaches at the Mediterranean and nature parks are going to be crowded. Shopping Malls offer many attractions to the kids and the entire country is enjoying the Chag. 

Religious Jews are drawn to Mea Shearim where almost every night, the huge Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva celebrations are taking place. Many Synagogues are closed to the wider public, as the members take up all the space during Sukkot. However, there are still places where everyone can go. Squeezed in but, at least, something.   
I thought about going up north for a few days but because everything is just packed with people, I decided to stay at home in Jerusalem. I will rather go to the Old City and Mea Shearim, take pictures and make a few videos instead of squeezing myself into the endless crowds for 24 hours a day.:-)

Link:

Trip with "Ateret Cohanim"

MOADIM le'SIMCHA - A great Sukkot to all of you !

BALABASTA Festival 2012: "How to draw a Picture"

B"H 

It seems that most Haredim actually do keep away from the BALABASTA Fair taking place at the Machane Yehudah Market in Jerusalem this month. The Edah HaCharedit had placed a ban but my guess is that most Haredim keep away because there is nothing interesting to watch. 

The annual August BALABASTA is nice but you won't too much going on. However, it gives you a different perspective of Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah Market but I also must say that the sellers at the market show a real hostile behaviour towards visitors from Tel Aviv. I have never seen this before but I was actually yelled at by a few sellers while making the videos. They accused me of being from Tel Aviv and only coming to film but not to buy their fruit and vegetable. 

I am not from Tel Aviv anymore but moved back to Jerusalem three months ago. However, I have never experienced such behaviour at the Carmel Market in Tel Aviv.

VIDEO: "BALABASTA Culture Event at Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah Market"

B"H 

Here is a little bit of the famous Machane Yehudah Market atmosphere. Today was also another day where the summer festival BALABASTA took place. 

Enjoy the short video ! I am going to put some more Balabasta videos into the blog. Nevertheless, the upload on Youtube is taking me a tremendously long time.

BALABASTA Photos / 12 August 2012

B"H

It is August and this means its time for the Jerusalem BALABASTA. The name of the event may sound crazy but what it basically means is a huge cultural event in the middle of the Machane Yehudah Market. 

Organized by the Municipality and boycotted by the Edah HaCharedit (to much Pritzut - immorality). Many stand owners hate the event because thousands of visitors from all over the country are coming to the market but hardly anyone is buying. Who wants to schlepp around apples or water melon when it is party time ?

In Hebrew, a BASTA is a market stand. The BALABASTA is taking place every Sunday evening (until midnight) at the Machane Yehudah Market. Jugglers, clowns, bands, attraction for children, anything you can imagine. Its a nice event and not that dirty (as the Edah claims) but it is definitely too crowded. 

Nevertheless, here are some pictures from yesterday's BALABASTA. Those who missed it, next Sunday will be another event. 
Oh, I almost forgot: No entrance fee !!!

The Lubavitcher (Chabad) Chassidim are everywhere. Even at the BALABASTA.

A funny show with laundry

Security Check

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sium HaSHASS in Jerusalem

B"H

Every seven years, the cycle of studying the entire SHASS (Daf Yomi of the Talmud) is finished. Such a Sium is always a big event and thousands of Haredim were on their way to different celebration places in Jerusalem yesterday. 

Here are a few pictures in order to give you an impression:

See all pictures HERE !

Gender Separation at Israel Museum Exhibition

B"H 

The ISRAEL MUSEUM in Jerusalem is running a special exhibition on CHASSIDIM. I haven’t been there yet because I don’t care too much about Chassidic clothes and other items. A Kaftan (chassidic coat) can be long or shorter; it may have three or four buttons. I don’t care. What I am interested in are chassidic writings and ideology in order to advance my own religious life. In order to learn something and, up to certain degree, improve myself. This is why I am interested in Chassidut and not because I love Scheitels or Hungarian white socks.

Most of the books I read on the subjects were written by chassidic Rabbis. By Chassidim or those who used to be Chassidim and know society and ideology. I hardly ever read content written by outsiders or university professors. Their writings drive me nuts after having read three pages because you simply feel that those authors have no idea about society. Just to give you a brief example: I love the books written by Yitzchak Alfassi who is a Gerrer Chassid but also teaching at Tel Aviv University.

However, ISRAEL MUSEUM has received lots of publicity by announcing that a gender separation would be introduced for the special CHASSIDIM exhibition. This way, many more haredi visitors would come to the event. 

To be honest: Many of the Chassidim I know would neither go to the Israel Museum nor to any exhibition. They live their chassidic lives in Mea Shearim or elsewhere in Jerusalem and are simply not interested in finding themselves in a museum. I can just hear what a friend of mine would say if I suggested to her going to the exhibition. Then I get to listen to a whole lecture on Zionist organizations and buildings …:-)

Traditional Tisha be'Av walk around the Old City Walls

B"H

As in previous years, the traditional Tisha be'Av March around the Old City Walls is, once again, taking place this Mozzaei Shabbat .

See the poster and all details at the link below:

 http://www.womeningreen.org/9bAv2012.php

The WOMEN IN GREEN are a Zionist group fighting against disengagemnt, giving Jewish land to the Palestinians and asking for a Jewish reign over the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit). 

Although the head of the group, Nadja Matar, is doing lots of demonstrating, sometimes, however, she reminds me of a ONE WOMAN SHOW. She likes to get attention. This, at least, is my own personal impression. 

Nevertheless, I always like to participate in the march, as this is the only time of the year when Jews are free to enter parts of Palestinian East Jerusalem. Usually Palestinians have unlimited access to all parts of Jerusalem but when it comes to the Jewish population, we should rather not dare to enter a Palestinian neighbourhood. In this case, you may find your head rolling down the road. 

LAILA LAVAN - WHITE NIGHT 2012 in Tel Aviv

 Laila Lavan 2011

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H 

This upcoming Thursday (28 June 2012), Tel Aviv is going to celebrate it's traditional LAILA LAVAN – WHITE NIGHT. Cultural events are taking place all over town. Most events are free - of - charge but some concerts are only available after paying entrance fee.

The programme in Hebrew

The Programme in English

A report from last year

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Programme at Kever Rachel

You can click on the flyer in order to enlarge it or find further details HERE !

Tuesday 19 June 2012

9.00 - 10.30am Efrat sponsored Rosh Chodesh Shiur in Memory of Sara Blaustein

11 - 12am Rabbi Dr. Joseph C. Klausner, "Joshua Restores Glory of Rachel"

3.00 - 5.00pm "Bullying, Bystanders or Upstanders ?"

Panel Evelyn Haies or "Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation" and Ronald Wachtel of Kav L'Noar


Wednesday, 20 June 2012

10 - 11am Sefer Torah Reading

 12 - 1pm Atara Gur, Rachel Imenu Scholar and Author

 4pm Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz "Joining Hands, Two Visions of Community"

6 - 7pm Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher "Politics and Sinat Chinom, a deadly sin

7pm Miriam Adahan "Staying sane in an insane World"


Thursday, 21 June 2012

10am Rabbi Shimshon Nadel "Return to Zion in Days of Ezra & Nechemia and Today"

11am Elyakim Haetzni "Self Affirmation - A Shield Against Defamation"

6 - 10pm Dov Shurin Musical Extravaganza; wine and cheese supperette


The local Jerusalem Egged bus 163 goes straight to Kever Rachel. Evelyn Haies told me that 20 Shekels will be charged for one shiur. If you are staying the whole day, a 50 Shekel fee will be charged.

For further details: Evelyn Haies - 054 224 2649 or 
rachelschildren@gmail.com 

Photos from the Jerusalem LIGHT FESTIVAL 2012, Part 1

B"H

Last Thursday I went to see this year's LIGHT FESTIVAL taking place in the Old City of Jerusalem. To make a long story short, I was quite disappointed. There were plenty of visitors but less and less light statures or instellations. However, the festival itself has caused lots of criticism from the Jewish population living in the Jewish Quarter. Too many naked statues would be standing around. Statues as part of the festival. Furthermore, the light symbols consist of too many Christian symbols. Whether this is true or not ... Let us take a look at the entrance to the Old City. The Jaffa Gate Plaza. There we find a huge dome or maybe is it a mosque ? From far away, the object looks like a church but when you get closer, it rather looks like the Dome of the Rock. When you read the explanation of the artist, you may be surprised: He intented to show a dome from Venice (Italy). So, it is a church. 


As long as this is taking place outside the Jewish Quarter, it doesn't bother me that much. On the other hand, Jerusalem's Mayor Nir Barkat, wants to turn Jerusalem into a second Tel Aviv. in order to draw more and more tourists into the city, he chose a very dangerous path. Pleasing Christians and trying to be too friendly with them is a big mistake. Is it worth getting more donations and investments when you are willing to accept more and more Christian symbols all over town ? Jerusalem has been and always will be a JEWISH city. There are other religions acting in the holy city but there is no doubt that Jerusalem is Jewish. By turning Jerusalem into something more cosmapolitan in order to please Gentile visitors, Barkat is putting himself into a very dangerous position, as he is making himself too dependent on Christian money. Jerusalem will only be successful as a Jewish place and as soon as idol - worship is involved, the city will, again, find its desaster.


But have a look for yourself !

By the way, the LIGHT FESTIVAL can be visited until 14 June. Free of Charge !!! The daily event starts at about 7.30pm but not on Shabbat !

Going up to Jaffa Gate

The dome from far away. Then it actually looks quite nice.

Before the international leftist press is going to start complaining and spreading rumours: Jerusalem's Municipality is not just organizing parts of the festival also in the Arab and Arab - run Christian quarter. The Palestinians have discovered their business time and set up food and souvenir stands wherever they could.

A further Christian symbol near Jaffa Gate ? Could be.

A dragon at the Jaffa Gate as fun for the kids.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Hebrew Book Week 2012

The "Hebrew Book Week" in Tel Aviv last year.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Last night, Israel's annual HEBREW BOOK WEEK started and you can find all kinds of details HERE (in Hebrew only). Every year in June, the book week is taking place and most books are, as the name says, in Hebrew. However, you may also find quite a few English books and just have to find those stands. 

The book week includes all subjects: Novels, computer literature, science fiction, Judaism, children's books, science, anything you can imagine. At some stands you are able to buy books cheaper than in bookstores. Many Israelis get so excited and just buy books according to kilogram.

In earlier days, the HEBREW BOOK WEEK used to be an important event. Entire families were walking up and down the stands in order to buy as much as they could. The the Israeli book discounter "Zomet HaSefarim" opened its many branches starting a new business concept. They wanted to beat their greatest competitor "Steimatzky" and thus offered all kinds of Hebrew books for an unbeatable price. "Steimatzky" saw its customers running to "Zomet HaSefarim" and was forced to react. Today all branches of both book stores offer four books for 100 Shekels (approx. 25 - 30 Dollar). Just to give you an idea: Before all those special offers were introduced, a regular Hebrew novel was sold for 84 or even more Shekels. Hebrew books used to be expensive whereas English books were sold for a much cheaper price.

"Hebrew Book Week" in Tel Aviv (2011)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

No wonder that Israeli authors are upset, as their books are being sold for a few Shekels only. Not enough to live from anymore but the customers like it cheap. Famous authors such as David Grossman, Amoz Oz or Ronit Matalon can be found protesting at Jerusalem's Zion Square on 14 June. I don't know the exact time but, in case I find out, I will let you know !

Those of you living in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv: 

In Jerusalem, the book week is taking place at the BELL PARK (Gan HaPa'amon) at Keren HaYessod. The daily opening hours are from 6pm - 11pm. Fridays closed and Mozzaei Shabbat open.

As usual, the book week in Tel Aviv is taking place at RABIN SQUARE. The opening hours are the same as in Jerusalem.