Anti - haredi provocation in Kiryat Yovel and Kiryat Menachem

B"H

Honestly, I am always upset when haredi news sites leave out information. The Hebrew site "Kikar Shabbat" is reporting about another provocation against the haredi public of Jerusalem’s neighbourhoods Kiryat Yovel and Kiryat Menachem but leaves out the main information: A photo showing what is the new argument about. 

One can argue that the photo is not modest at all and that such picture material shouldn’t be spread in public. However, many readers (including myself) would have liked to see what is going on. If you don’t find anything on haredi sites, go to Israel’s secular news sites and on YNET you find everything. 

Last Shabbat, the religious population of Kiryat Yovel and the nearby neighbourhood Kiryat Menachem was shocked seeing that obviously secular Jews hung up immodest posters showing half naked women. For the past years, more and more Haredim have been moving into the Kiryat Yovel due to the formerly affordable rent. The same happening in the nearby neighbourhood Kiryat Menachem. The result is that the secular population feels threatened. A similar development we see in Jerusalem’s neighbourhood of Givat Mordechai. No one knows who hung up those posters last Erev Shabbat but even a high percentage of secular locals is speaking up against such pictures and actions. 

The immodest picture

Source: YNET

I don't really understand the logic of the people hanging up the posters. Is it just to provoke the frum population ? And if so, the picture won't help anything. 

Nana - Breslovers and Zion Square / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Not only Chabad is "on the road" in Israel but also the Breslover - Nana Chassidim. For quite a few years, the two guys in the photo have been standing in Jerusalem's shopping mall Ben Yehudah Street selling their Nana - Music CDs as well as stickers and books.

In the background you can see the newly designed Zion Square with the brandnew nine floor building where the department store "Hamashbir" is going to move in. 

The guy sitting on the little motorbike and talking to the two Nanas started yelling at me when I took the photo. The reason was that he wanted money but, of course, didn't get any.:-)

Jerusalem Tram News

Photos: Miriam Woelke

B"H

In about three months time, the new Jerusalem tram is due to travel up and down Jaffa Road. For the time being, the price for one ticket will cost only 1 Shekel. Just wait, in the near future I am going to a drastic raise and one ticket may cost at least 7 Shekels !

Large parts of downtown Jaffa Road have become a mall and no further cars are allowed. However, many shopkeepers complain about less customers and profits. In the long run, the new Jaffa Road shopping mall will be successful and when the present shopkeepers complain about less profits, they should rather check the goods they sell. Most of it is cheap garbage and the Ben Yehudah area deserves more than cheap crap Made in Taiwan.

New Chabad Shaliach in Rehavia (Jerusalem) or How a new Shaliach is setting up his Center

B"H

Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg is the new Chabad Shaliach of Jerusalem's neighbourhood Rehavia. When I heard this news I thought that it would be an interesting subject writing about "How a Chabad House is actually established ?" How a new Shaliach is being chosen for the job, how he finds a location and everything else around. So, I met Rabbi Goldberg who is more than energetic. The father of five children is full of plans. As soon as a location is found, a Synagogue will be established. Rabbi Goldberg already has a Torah scroll ready for use. Shiurim (classes) will be given and during Sukkot, a huge celebration is going to take place. Probably at the Independence Park (Jerusalem).

The Rabbi's main concern is, however, trying to make a connection to each individual. Whoever has an issue or any question may come and ask him.

Rabbi Goldberg told me some details about "How a Shaliach is actually chosen today":

Every Chabad Shaliach basically chooses his place. Wherever he feels comfortable. As soon the potential Shaliach has made up his mind about a certain location in the world, he contacts the head shaliach of this particular country and then the decision is made.

When the seventh and last Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson was still alive, he usually gave a blessing to the new Shaliach. In case the Shaliach had a few places and couldn't make up his mind which one to choose, he went to the Rebbe for advice. Today, however, some Shlichim go to the grave of the Rebbe. They don't really get a blessing in the literal sense but they hope that somehow the Rebbe may have a positive influence.

Once a new Shaliach has made up his mind he comes to the new country and starts setting up a Chabad Center on his own. Rabbi Yisroel Goldberg stressed that it also depends on the Shaliach's wife because she has to like the place, as a Shaliach remains in his position for the rest of his life.

Every Shaliach is responsible for the finances of HIS own center and no one from Crown Heights is going to help him with that. The Shlichim depend on donations. When I mentioned to Rabbi Goldberg that this must be hard job (collecting donations), as there are hundreds of Shlichim he said that everyone has to build his own connections and one needs a special look for where one gets the money from.

Many Jews living in Jerusalem are looking for a firm community / Synagogue. I myself like doing Shul Shopping but there are times when I get tired of it. Although I am not Chabad I will look into the new center (when established). Why not ? Unfortunately Chabad is, besides Breslov, the only Chassidut where there are chassidic classes for every Jew. However, I do admit that Chabad is basically teaching itself (besides the Baal Shem Tov, the Zohar, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria and the Mezritcher Maggid).

I will stay in touch with Rabbi Goldberg and let you know what is happening.

If you have a question or would like to be on the Rabbi's mailing list:

rabbiyisroelgoldberg@yahoo.com

Against the Jerusalem Gay Parade

Photo: Ladaat

Actually the Jerusalem Gay Parade was one of the main subjects at my Shabbat meal in Mea Shearim. My host wanted to know if I went in order to write about the disgusting event. My answer was NO because I was in Tel Aviv on Thursday. Secondly, I would not even look at such a parade because this may give the homosexuals the feeling of "they are right". Anyone homosexual is acting against the Torah and morality ! It is just disgraceful how they always feel the urge of justifying themselves although they know their actions are wrong. 

The parade took place in the month of AV. A month where the Jews suffered from the worst tragedies.

Non - Kosher Meat at the Machane Yehudah Market in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Israel's Chief Rabbinate (Rabbanut) has published another "Kashrut Warning" right outside the Machane Yehudah Market (Jerusalem). Certain meat shops would be selling non - kosher meat from Arabs (Ishmaelim) which is not ritually slaughtered according to Jewish Halacha.

Please be aware of Hechsherim (kosher certificates) when you buy at the Machane Yehudah Market !!!

For further information:

http://shearim.blogspot.com/2010/05/kosher-jerusalem.html

Bakery Facebook Group

B"H

The bakery where I work now has a Facebook page. In case you are interested, you are welcomed to join:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=102391126480492&ref=mf

Opening of the CHURVA SYNAGOGUE in Jerusalem

B"H

Tonight, Jerusalem is celebrating the rebuilding and opening of the new CHURVA SYNAGOGUE in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The Jews are celebrating whereas the Arabs are threatening with new demonstrations. The Muslims are planning a big "show" on the Temple Mount around their Al Aksa Mosque and thousands of Israeli border policemen are going to secure the entire area.  

Here are some photos of the new CHURVA which was destroyed by the Jordanians

All photos, including the Hachnasat Sefer Thora event from last night may be watched Here !

Jerusalem Bus Map

B"H

I discovered this on "Esser Agaroth":

JERUSALEM BUS MAP ONLINE

You do not even need to download the whole map but just click here to view:

New Riots on the Temple Mount

B"H


The Jerusalem police is on high alert. Some Jewish right - wingers had announced a special prayer on the Temple Mount and the Palestinians went mad. As soon as the Jews go onto the Temple Mount to look around, the Arabs just see another attack. It is already a shame that Jews are not to pray on the Temple Mount but only to walk around. Israeli police is not letting Jews pray at the holy site.
As soon as the news about the new prayer was spreading, the Palestinians called for protection. Muslims should come and protect their "holy site" and Mohammed.
Mohammed, by the way, was never in Jerusalem and Islam has absolutely nothing to do with the Jewish Temple Mount. Today the reign over the Har HaBayit is just a statement of political power and the Arab world knows how to use it by spreading the rumour that there were never any Jewish Tempels on the Temple Mount. However, they can lie as much as they want and try to rewrite history but they cannot change a historical fact.


This morning, the Israeli police got attacked by Arab rioters.




Links:


Pictures from the Temple Mount


How the Palestinians have been trying to destroy any Jewish sign on the Temple Mount


Tempel Mount Tour







From the Jewish point of view, there are different opinions if today, we (Jews) are allowed to enter the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit). After the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans and the ashes of the Red Hefer (Parah Adumah) disappeared, we are unable to cleanse ourselves from spiritual as well as from physical impurity.
The national religious movement is very much in favour of visiting the Temple Mount today. "We cannot just leave it to the Arabs but have to show Jewish presence !" - so their claim. Haredim, however, are strictly against walking around on the Temple Mount, as we are impure and don't know for sure where the sites are where only the Cohanim (Priests) were allowed to walk. "First the Meshiach has to come and then we will be able to purify ourselves !"

Ancient Quarry found in Jerusalem

Fragment from the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit) - Herodian (Hordos) time

B"H

This upcoming Thursday, Jews are commemorating the 17th Tammuz introducing a three week mourning period ending with the famous Tisha Be'Av (9th Av). It is said that on Tisha Be'Av, both Temples were destroyed. In 586 B.C.E., the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and in 70 C.E., the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans.

Those of you standing in front of the gigantic stones of the Kotel (Western Wall, start asking themselves how the people in Herod's times were able to carry them to the Temple Mount. And where these stones come from ?

ARUTZ 7 reported that an ancient quarry was discovered in Shmuel HaNavi Street in Jerusalem. The quarry seems to be at least 2030 years old and there are still stones being three meters long and two meters wide. Archaeologists assume that this is the place where Herod took the stones from when building parts of the Temple.

Archaeology Links:

Israel Antiquities

Archaeology at the Hebrew University

Archaeology Park Jerusalem

Western Wall (Kotel)

Gay Parade in Jerusalem

B"H

My original plan was acting the same way, as I did with the gay parade in Tel Aviv. Keep quiet and not giving the participants a platform of feeling important.

However, as the Edah HaCharedit is probably quite happy that the Jerusalem Municipality also won't open the parking lot this Shabbat, further preparations for demonstrations are taking place. Not against opening the municipality parking lot on Shabbat but rather against the Jerusalem gay parade which is scheduled for 3 Tammuz (next week on Thursday).

When I read an anti - gay parade poster from the Edah last Shabbat, I found it quite funny that the date is actually on 3 Tammuz because this is the Yahrzeit of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe (died in 1994). Some Chabadnikim don't call it a Yahrzeit but "the day the Rebbe became invisible". Meaning that the Rebbe is still among us but we are not on the level to see him.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe has nothing to do with the parade but it just entered my mind when I saw the poster.

A colleague of mine was upset because I haven't written anything about some members of Jerusalem's secular population demonstrating against the haredi demonstrations. The reason why I haven't mentioned the secular demonstrations is because I think that their reason is foolish. It wasn't a demonstration for secular rights but a demonstration against THE HAREDIM.

How can anyone demonstrate against a population he doesn't know at all ?

With or without demonstrations, the Jerusalem gay parade is probably taking place. In a very different way than in Tel Aviv though where half of the city center is closed down. Usually the parade in Jerusalem only leads to a few side streets and not through the main roads. Everything is limited, even the time. The whole atmosphere for the gays is different and it doesn't take much to feel that they simply don't belong into the Holy City.

The Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies

B"H

Interesting link:

Researchers about Jerusalem

"Shame on you, Municipality !"

B"H

When the bus I took from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem entered the Holy City last Friday afternoon, I saw several small and one or two big posters welcoming the Pope. The posters were hung up by the municipality; on the right side of the road.

No one did so for Condoleeca Rice, nobody does so for Hillary Clinton or any other politician. I didn't feel very proud of being in Jerusalem when I saw the Pope staring at me from the posters. Of course, Jerusalem is open to everyone and the inhabitants should greet every visitor. However, this Pope is extremely controversial in Israel, as he was a member of the Hitler Youth and the German Nazi Wehrmacht. Many Holocaust survivors are upset and don't want someone like this in our country.

Furthermore, the Pope made specific agreements with the Palestinians and he demands land for the Catholic church from the Israeli government. Especially Mount Zion in the Old City of Jerusalem. The location of King David's grave (there is no real proof that it really is David's grave) and the Diaspora Yeshiva.

Also Mea Shearim is attacking the Pope's visit and calls him the "Head of the Impurity". However, I was shocked once again when I heard that this Tuesday, the Pope is marching into "Heichal Shlomo" = Jerusalem's Great Synagogue.

Aren't there any protests or is everyone just in Meron lighting the bonfire ? Maybe this is the best response to the idol - worshipper. Just ignoring him and serving Hashem.

Opinions

B"H

The first opinion is coming from Abu Mazen who announced that Israel will only willing to make more concessions to the Palestinians if Israeli politicians are being forced. Forced by Djahidim, by suicide bombers.

This is what Abu Mazen stated yesterway while he was participating in a memorial service for his terrorist friend Yassir Arafat.
Our politicians obviously tried to overhear the statement, as negotiations with the Fatah (Abu Mazen's party) are going on.

But coming to an Israeli opinion:
Yesterday (Tuesday), 159 cities and small towns in Israel elected a new (old) mayor. Ron Chulda'i, the former mayor of Tel Aviv - Yaffo, is also the new one. He is a left - winger and considered to be a guy for the rich and trying to ruin anybody else.

Tel Aviv is one of the most expensive places in the whole world and especially in the Middle East. A one - room apartment cave costs at least 400 Dollar rent per month. Even a room full of mould isn't available much cheaper. And whoever decides running to the extremely expensive AM:PM is still doing a better bargain than shopping at the MEGA (Mega is considering itself to be cheap) in Ibn Gavirol Street. A social disgrace and Chulda'i has to go immediately.

His opponent Dov Chenin is another left - winger but is trying to be more social. And it was him Chulda'i was afraid of. According to Chenin, Tel Aviv has to be a place for everybody and not only for the wealthy. We need more kindergarden places, more social justice and anything social we can get.

A homeless guy called Aharon has been living on a matress for the past eight years. His matress can be found at the entrance to Sheinkin Street, right across the Carmel Market.
The weekly Tel Aviv magazine "Ha'Ir" asked Aharon for whom he would vote. However, before Aharon answered, he asked for a 20 Shekel fee.

Well, nothing is for free anymore. Not even an interview with a homeless guy.

Next, Aharon asked for a Schwarma (23 Shekels).
He ate the Schwarma and then he was willing to answer the question.
"Well, I don't care and don't vote for anyone. I have no trust and no one intends to get me off my matress anyway. So, leave me alone everybody unless you really want to help".

Many young people in Tel Aviv voted for Dov Chenin. His party has the name "Ir LeKulanu - City for Everyone". Chulda'i was afraid to loose his position as the mayor but eventually made it.

The secular Nir Barkat won in Jerusalem and thus, he is going to be the new mayor. His competitor, the Haredi Me'ir Porush, lost by 9 %.

If, yes, if Chassidut Gur would have voted for Porush ... But due to internal quarrels, the Gerrer Rebbe ordered his Chassidim to vote for Barkat.

No one can tell me anymore that the Haredi world is the most perfect world !

Could a haredi mayor have been so bad for Jerusalem ?
Unfortunately, the secular are far too afraid of the religious and fear that they may be pushed into a religious ghetto. On the other hand, for the past four years, we already had the haredi mayor Uri Lupolianski and did he do anything against the secular ? No, and everyone is still alive.

At least, Me'ir Porush would have brough some Yiddishkeit and Jewish identity to Jerusalem. Not that we don't have any Yiddishkeit but having a little more wouldn't be bad. Especially not when there are plenty of Christian missionaries around.

Nir Barkat or Me'ir Porush ? Who cares at all ?
Barkat is a Kadima member and if Zipi Livni tells him to divide Jerusalem, Jerusalem will be divided.
Porush wouldn't have just kept quiet and given in. Not even if the Gerrer Rebbe had told him so.

But let's see who is going to win the Knesset elections next February. The mayors have not much to say but the Knesset does. And this is one of the reasons why hardly anyone paricipated in the community elections yesterday.

Caution ! Christian Missionaries !

B"H

These days, it is rather complicated to choose the right subject to write about. Sukkot is right ahead of us, furthermore there are new riots in the northern Israeli town of Acco and, last but not least, the worldwide financial crises.

Last night, the riots between Jews and Arabs in Acco started again. On Erev Yom Kippur, an Arab drove through a Jewish religious neighbourhood and caused the stoning of his car. Since then, we are all aware of the fact that it is impossible that Jews and Arabs are able to live together. Sometimes it might seem so from the outside; but fact is that the vast majority of Jewish Israeli population doesn't want to have anything to do with Arabs. And the Arabs think the same way and keep on cursing the Jews.

The financial crises ?
Israeli papers announce dismissals in the Israeli finance field after Sukkot. "Is the crises also effecting us", everyone asks fearfully.

However, my real subject for today are the Christians masses who have been coming for the holiday of Sukkot. Generally, Jerusalem is welcoming anyone but not when the tourist is coming with evil purposes. Those radical Christians stroming to Jerusalem at the moment, announce "Solidarity" as their mission. Nevertheless, their true mission is "Missionizing the Jews" !

At Temple times, Gentiles also used to come to Jerusalem on the holiday of Sukkot in order to bring their sacrifice (Korban). The same will be re – introduced as soon as Meshiach is coming and builds the Third Temple.

Every year on Sukkot, thousands of Christians are coming to Jerusalem and many Jewish inhabitants are not too happy about that. Many of those Christians come here, consider themselves as the "true" Jews and behave as if the whole city belongs to them.
In fact, there are also many normal and honest tourists among those who are coming as well. The majority, however, sees its real purpose missionizing the Jews. And those few who truly come for a good and positive purpose now have to suffer a bad reputation due to the disturbing missionaries. How are we supposed to differentiate between the good and the evil ?

The International Christian Embassy with its headquarter in Rachel Imenu Street in Katamon (Jerusalem) organizes a yearly Christian Parade during Sukkot. The march leads from Sacher Park through Bezalel, King George and Jaffa Road to Jerusalem's municipality at Safra Square. Usually haredi Rabbis ban this parade and the Israeli anti – missionary organization "Yad Le'Achim" doesn't get tired of warning the Jews to watch the event. Despite the Israeli prohibition of handing out missionary material, the missionaries themselves don't give a damn about Jewish opinions. They appear with posters where it says that if the Jews don't convert to Christianity, they will go to hell.

Nonsense but it seems that especially in these days, we have to put up with those idiotic Christian doctrines. Last Friday noon, I walked through Jerusalem's shopping mall Ben Yehudah. Near Zion Square I saw two Christian women hadning out pamphlets to Jews. The women had put on their creepy Christian smile as if they would say: "J. also came for you".
My first thought was calling the police but then I remembered that especially American Evangelist organization donate millions of Dollars to the State of Israel and thus demand something in return. The result is that the State of Israel doesn't always interfere and even leaves many missionaries alone.

My second thought was informing "Yad Le'Achim" and in the end, I did nothing. An hour later I passed and the women were gone. However, I felt guilty for not reacting right away and went over to some Chabadnikim who had opened up a Tefillin stand nearby. I spoke to one of the Chabadnikim and he told me that, next time, I should come to Chabad right away. "Just knock on hour door and we will get rid of the missionaries ! Missionaries out !"
I wish that everyone would react in the same fast rigorous way.

But it is not only the evil idol worship parade bothering us inhabitants. The Jerusalem Kibbutz Ramat Rachel constantly provides the Christians with its facilities and it is there, where countless missionary meetings are being held. The Kibbutz doesn't care about moral and wants to earn money; even if its members sell their souls to the missionaries, who cares. Furthermore, the Christians rent the International Convention Center (Binyanei Ha'Uma) right across from the Central Bus Station. Inside the center, the Christians open up stands and selling Christian kitsch and other junk. Additionally, the visitors run to lectures where they are being taught how to missionize Jews.

Believe it or not, the Christians are not ashamed to announce that they would like to join the Sukkot celebrations in Mea Shearim and further haredi neighbourhoods. The Haredim, on the other hand, kick all of those Christian lunatics and idol worshippers out. Non – Jewish tourists should be careful not to enter haredi neighbourhoods at the moment.

It is a disgrace that all those "smiling and waving flag radical Christians" destroy the reputation of all the other honest tourists. But as I said, it is extremely hard to tell the difference and thus all tourists get accused.


Further interesting links on the subject:

Against Missionaries

Stealing Jewish Children during the Holocaust

The Vatican and its stolen Jewish Possessions

About the danger of accepting money from Christians !

"Come to us ! Come to us !"

The Church and the Talmud

The Battle between Yad Le'Achim and Kibbutz Ramat Rachel

Jehovas Witnesses and their anti - Semitism

ושמחת בחגך

B"H

Those of you who speak Hebrew can have a look at this list published on a haredi Internet forum.

http://bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=6931&cat_id=2

All haredi Sukkot celebrations are listed there.
Yeshivot, Kfar Chabad, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak or Beit Shemesh ... whatever you like !!!

New Terror in Jerusalem

B"H

When I went down to the Old City last night, everything was blocked. It was hard to reach Jaffa Gate and even the gate itself was closed, as there was a bomb alarm. Further up, at the junction Jaffa Road, Shivtei Israel (right in front of the municipality), a Palestinian terrorist had driven with his car into a group of soldiers and bystanders. Approx. 19 people got injured. The terrorist was shot by one of the soldiers.

Afterwards the roads were closed off and, as many people were on their way to the Kotel (Western Wall), hundreds of people were watching the police investigations in a state of shock and helplessness.

Here are some pictures from last night's terror attack:

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=6770&cat_id=1

Me'ir Porush's Election Campaign

B"H

Jerusalem is electing a new mayor this upcoming November but the present mayor Uri Lupolianski isn't even sure if wants to step down our get re - elected.

However, several candidates have opened their election campaigns and the media is only concentrating on two particular candidates. Those two are Me'ir Porush from the Agudah and Ariyeh Deri from the sephardi - haredi SHASS - party.

It is most likely that the secular candidate Nir Barkat is going to win. However, the Haredim see a chance to take over the city. And, as usual, there are plenty of fights within haredi society about who is supporting whom. So far, Me'ir Porush hasn't had the support of the litvishe Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv because the Rabbi and Porush had an argument some time ago. Now there are claims that the two of them made peace. Apparently Me'ir Porush "went to Canossa" and apologized to Rabbi Eliyashiv.

Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef is, how else could it be, supporting his sephardi candidate Aryeh Deri.

Many inhabitants of Jerusalem are worried about the two haredi candidates. Especially the secular population. Until now, Jerusalem has always been tolerant to anyone and people managed to live next to each other. For the past few years, more and more neighbourhoods seem to be taken over by Haredim and thus the secular are moving out. The secular fear that the Haredim want to force them into religion and show their worries openly.

Jerusalem is a place for all Jews and who would be the best candidate representing ALL Jews ? Additionally, Olmert is planning to divide our city and who would be the best candidate to fight such a decision ?

Jerusalem has always been complicated and so are the elections. According to the latest polls, Nir Barkat is going to win. Me'ir Porush from the Agudah won't have the slightest chance and the sephardi Aryeh Deri ? Who knows ?
For many voters he still is a criminal who has never apologized or admitted his crimes of bribery and money laundering.



Me'ir Porush and his election campaign

The TRUTH

B"H

Mea Shearim has a basically new Pakshivili (poster) hanging on its walls. The text is extremely long and you definitely need some time to read everything.

I read parts of it and wasn't too surprised. A poster without a clear signature claims to announce the TRUTH (HaEmet).

"The Shabbabnik, the Chief Rabbi of the Kotel (Western Wall), Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, only works and supports Israel's Zionist government. He thinks to be in charge of the holy site but he is not. Rabbi Rabinovitch does anything the Zionist government tells him; even severe changes desecrating the site".

Already some years ago, someone reliable told me that Rebbi Shmuel Rabinovitch receives donations from certain Christian organizations. This takes place in order that no one can officially kick out the even weird behaving fanatic Christians from the Kotel (Western Wall).

I wouldn't be surprised if there is lots of truth in it, as Christian organizations even give money to the national religious radio station ARUTZ 7 as well as to "The Jerusalem Post".

_____________________


Shabbabnik: Someone who looks religious but doesn't behave that way.