The masses are gone

Making my way through the masses at the Kotel (Western Wall) were enough for me.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Sukkot and all the other high holidays are over and we are back to normal in Israel. I was planning to go to the Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva celebrations in Mea Shearim but, in the end, decided not to because the neighbourhood was simply overcrowded. Thousands of visitors made their way through the narrow alleyways of Mea Shearim and those who finally got to a Tish needed to squeeze themselves in. Furthermore, many Rebbe's were holding their celebrations in their Sukkah (such as Kretchnif / Jerusalem or Dushinsky) and you can imagine how hard must have been the access for any female. 

Instead of getting lost in the crowd, I rather went for a Shabbat meal to friends at the Batei Hungarin. This was last Erev Shabbat and there weren't too many visitors at that time. What I saw were hundreds of chassidic families walking through Mea Shearim and this was a much nicer atmosphere than staggering through the crowds and, as a woman, being rejected my many Synagogues during Sukkot (e.g. the Toldot Aharon shut down their Ezrat Nashim for females not belonging to the group). 

Further HOSHANA RABBAH Photos from Jerusalem

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 The high holidays are over and Israel is back to normal. These Sukkot in Jaffa Road / Jerusalem are finding their end today. 

View at the Arab village Silwan located in the Old City of Jerusalem.

 At the Kotel on Sunday morning (Hoshana Rabbah)

 

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sukkot in Jerusalem

 Photos: Miriam Woelke

Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter during Sukkot, Part 1

View to the Old City

In the Jewish Quarter

Almost every restaurant in the Old City has its own Sukkah.

Huge Sukkah in front of the Hurvah Synagogue

The rebuilt Hurvah Synagogue

The masses are streaming to the Western Wall (Kotel).

Sukkah on the roof

Israeli Border Police (Mischmar Ha'Gvul) at the Square in the Jewish Quarter

Stairs down to the Kotel

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sukkot 1941 in the Ghetto Lodz

Source: Israel Hayom

View over the entire Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza on Chol Ha'Moed Sukkot

Here comes my second video I took today. Enjoy !

VIDEO: "Sukkot at the Kotel Plaza"

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One of the videos I took at the Kotel (Western Wall) Plaza this morning. The crowds stood almost on my feet but, nevertheless, it was great being at the Kotel on Sukkot. 

BIRKAT HA'COHANIM Sukkot 5773 / 2012 at the Kotel (Western Wall)

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I also took some videos at the Kotel this morning and have already started uploading them into Youtube. However, this video (not from me) was taken on the men's side during the Birkat Ha'Cohanim. A spot where I cannot go to.:-)

Jerusalem is celebrating Sukkot and thousands of Jews keep on streaming down to the Old City. It is so crowded that you can hardly walk through the narrow alleyways in the Jewish Quarter. I went, took a few photos and videos and was glad when I escaped the masses. 

The weather has been strange though. After 16 years or so, it was my first time seeing rain on Erev Sukkot this year. While sitting in the Sukkah, the thunder started and soon after it began to rain. There is actually more rain being expected during Sukkot. 

At the moment, the sun is out and Jerusalem is suffering from a Tel Aviv - like humidity. However, the weather forecast is predicting temperature to fall. Looks like winter is finally ahead.

Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva 5773 / 2012 in Toldot Aharon

Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva in Toldot Aharon / Mea Shearim

All Photos & Video HERE !

Where to go in Jerusalem during Sukkot ?

Mea Shearim Street

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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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 !

SUKKOT 5773 / 2012: "ARBA MINIM Market in Jerusalem"

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Enjoy the video I made on 28 Sept. 2012 !

ARBA MINIM (Lulav) Market across the Machane Yehudah Market / Jerusalem.

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Chag Sameach !!!

Seen in Jerusalem

Copyright / Photo: Miriam Woelke

Sukkot Forecast

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Sukkot is starting tonight and I just bought my Lulav and Etrog. Everything is ready for the Chag. Being in Jerusalem on Sukkot is just great and in order to transfer the tremendous Jerusalem Yom Tov atmosphere to the Diaspora Jewry, I am going to put lots of pictures and videos into this blog. From the BIRKAT HA'COHANIM to Mea Shearim. 

Apropos Mea Shearim, this year there won't be a gender separation in Mea Shearim Street but many chassidic groups won't let any outsiders participating in the Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva celebrations. The reason is very simple: Mea Shearim will be flooded with Jewish visitors over the Chag and if all Synagogues let in everybody, there wouldn't be space for the chassidic group members anymore. 

Here, for instance, is the announcement of Toldot Aharon not to let outsiders participating in the Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva:

Seen in Mea Shearim

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Last Thursday night, I participated in a Hachnasat Sefer Torah at the Chabad House in Rehavia (Jerusalem). The local Shaliach there is Rabbi Israel Goldberg. It was a great celebrations and I am going to put lots of pictures as well as a few videos into the blog in the course of this week. 

Hachnasat Sefer Torah in Chabad - Rehavia

Photo: Miriam Woelke

One of the ARBA MINIM markets in Jerusalem. I am going to publish more photos as well as a video !

And, of course, the Simchat Beit Ha'Shoeva celebrations in Mea Shearim will be a huge subject. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

I haven't seen it in years. I think the last time may have been back in 1996 or 1997. The weather forecast for Sukkot includes RAIN. It already started raining last night and despite the heat of 33 degrees Celsius, winter is slowly crawling in.:-)

The Talmud states that rain on Sukkot is a bad sign but there is also a Machloket. I just hope that the weather is finally cooling down and we actually do need plenty of rain. 

Have a great Chag, Chag Sameach and Git Yom Tev !!!

A kosher Sukkah in Auschwitz

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Every Sukkot, Rabbi Mordechai Machlis keeps on telling the same story about a kosher Sukka in Auschwitz. He does it for his family and his many many guests.

This story is about his friend and teacher Rabbi Yitzchak Traube. Rabbi Machlis always concludes with the words that he does not know whether anything similar ever happened or whether this story has ever been published before. Listeners are always shocked. I want to share the story with others in remembrance of Rabbi Yitzchak Traube.

Rabbi Yitzchak Traube was imprisoned in the Auschwitz death camp for quite a while. Every morning, he and other prisoners were forced to walk along a certain road within the camp in order to get to work. The festival of Sukkot was approaching, and as Rabbi Traube walked along the road when he saw little branches laying there. He looked aside and saw a building which looked more like a ruin. Only the walls were left but without a roof. From now on, every day he pushed with his feet more and more branches to the side of the road. He had to be very careful because the guards might suspect something. 

On Erev Sukkot, he left his barrack and ran to the place where he had pushed the branches. One cannot imagine in what danger he was. Leaving the barrack at night and being caught meant instant death. However, the rabbi was lucky. He put the branches over the walls, and this way he built a kosher Sukkah. Additionally, he had saved up some bread which he ate. 

In the middle of Auschwitz, he fulfilled the Mitzvah of making a blessing on food and sitting in a kosher Sukkah.

LULAV Photos from Jerusalem

Lulav Market in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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It is time to purchase Lulav and Etrog and I am already starting to panic because today is Thursday and tomorrow Shabbat is coming in. Tonight I am planning to participate in a "Hachnasat Sefer Torah" at a Chabad House in downtown Jerusalem. Special guest will be Israel's Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger. I am going to make photos as well as a video. 

Nevertheless, if nothing is working out today or tomorrow, I am definitely going to buy my Lulav and Etrog on Sunday morning. Not in Mea Shearim though because they don't allow any women into the Arba Minim markets.:-) The reason is: Zniut, as male and female could mingle and, in the crowd, touch each other. 

The best time to spend Sukkot is in Jerusalem. Birkat HaCohanim, festivals in the Jewish Quarter (bring your own food otherwise you get ripped - off), shaking the Lulav and, of course, the celebrations in Mea Shearim. Unfortunately, Mea Shearim has been closing down its Sukkot Tishes for the wider public, as it has gotten far too crowded over the years. When me and a friend started to go Tishing a few years ago, everything worked out fine. However, a few months later, groups started walking in and self - appointed secular researchers sneaking around ruined the entire atmosphere. The good thing is that I have friends in the neighbourhood and a bit of insider information where to go. 

Here are a few links to Lulav pictures one and two years ago:

http://shearim.blogspot.co.il/2010/09/lulav-photos-from-jerusalem.html

http://shearim.blogspot.co.il/2011/10/lulav-market-in-jerusalem-part-1.html

http://shearim.blogspot.co.il/2011/10/lulav-market-in-jerusalem-part-2.html

My neighbours are ready for Sukkot.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sukkah Decoration in Jerusalem

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Mea Shearim and further haredi areas are preparing for the "Arba Minim" markets starting right after Yom Kippur is over. One of the biggests markets will be at Kikar Supnik (Binyane'i Supnik / Dushinsky). Of course, I am going to take pictures but in Mea Shearim and surroundings, my access will be limited due to the fact that I am female. Nevertheless, this year, I am also getting my own Lulav and Etrog. 

A shop offering Sukkah decoration. Seen in Jaffa Road / Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Pashkevilim in Mea Shearim keep on warning the local population to watch their money and not to spend everything due to the upcoming holidays. There are further warnings against false Shochtim offering Kapparot in the area.

I haven't decided yet whether I am going to one of the Kapparot places in order to take pictures. For quite a few years I haven't participated in this custom anymore. Before I used to give money but the chicken I have never done. 

Those of you who are interested in seeing some Kapparot pictures may have a look here:

http://shearim.blogspot.co.il/2011/10/bh-kapparot-before-yom-kippur-are.html

The Ramban calls is a "foolish custom" and every year anew, Israeli animals rights activists keep on demonstrating against the mass killing of chickens. The truth is that those who insist on doing Kapparot with a chicken won't give up their custom due to a few animal activists. I prefer to stay away from the chicken Kapparot, as the fowl isn't treated that nicely. Hundreds of chickens are being squeezed into small cages and neither get water of food but just waiting to die.

Sukkot Atmosphere

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Photos: "Mea Shearim after Rosh Hashana"

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So, how was my Rosh Hashana ? Awful, as I had caught a flue virus. It all started a day before Rosh Hashana. Suddenly I felt a pain in my throat and then fever and a cough came along. Now I am still coughing and sneezing all the time but my condition is improving. At least, the fever seems to be gone.

I was staying at home and hardly did anything but rest. Now am trying to concentrate on Yom Kippur and to overcome my demand for medication and tissues.:-)

I had something to do in Mea Shearim this morning and took a few photos on the way. Here is the result:

Kapparot Announcement

It seems as if the Sukkah building is starting earlier every year. I remember that more than 13 years ago, most Jerusalemites (incl. Haredim) started building their Sukkah on Mozzae'i Yom Kippur. This year, however, plenty of Sukkot are almost finished. Not only in Mea Shearim but also in secular parts of town.

Sukkah in Yoel Street (Mea Shearim)

Kikar Supnik and Dushinsky building a gigantic Sukkah

Balcony Sukkah in Mea Shearim Street / Jerusalem

Chassidut Gur (Ger) seemed to have had a wild Rosh Hashana Se'udah and apparently dumped all the trash on the pavement across their Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah.

The Sukkah of Chassidut Gur in Sefat Emet Street

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Toldot Aharon: Hakafot Shniyiot and Apple Throwing

Mea Shearim on Sukkot 5772 / 2011

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Mea Shearim photos from last Monday night. 

The Synagogue of the MISHKENOT HA'ROIM and the Sukkah in the front.

The great Breslover Synagogue

The Synagogue of Chassidut SLONIM

Synagogue of Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak. 

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke