"Laila Lavan - WHITE NIGHT" 2011 in Tel Aviv

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Jerusalem is celebrating its “Light Festival” but a great and also traditional event is going to take place in Tel Aviv on 30 June 2011 (Thursday): The “LAILA LAVAN – WHITE NIGHT” with its art, cultural events and anything you can imagine.

 Maps are available as soon as you get to the first stop. The events are spread all over the city and most of them are free of charge. Some artists, as famous pop singers, may charge entrance fee.

The most popular event of the “LAILA LAVAN” is located in Rothschild Boulevard. See my report from last year HERE !

Jerusalem Light Festival 2011

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As I am in Jerusalem today, I am seriously taking a brief visit at the famous “Light Festival” into consideration. The “Jerusalem Light Festival” is taking place in the Old City and the shows are going to start at 8pm.

Ka Echsof - Chassidut Karlin

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A Pi'ut from Rebbe Aharon the Great, the founder of Chassidut Karlin.

GUSH KATIF - A chapter in the story of Israel

In my opinion, the most interesting stand at the book fair 2011: 
The settlers who were thrown out of Gush Katif in 2005.

 Photos: Miriam Woelke

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In August 2005, the Expulsion from Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip took place and former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did his utmost to get the Jewish settlers out in order to return the Gush to the Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli government expected peace but the opposite has been taking place. The Hamas took over and has been firing rockets and missiles onto Israeli territory since.

Today almost all of us know that the expulsion was a big mistake. The Sharon government had promised a great deal of compensation to the settlers but not everything has been carried out. People lost their homes and their jobs. Until today, many settlers are suffering from a trauma of being thrown out of one’s own home and squeezed into temporary trailer homes.

The MERCAZ KATIF – KATIF CENTER was established in Nitsan, located between Ashdod and Ashkelon. The Center is offering tours in Hebrew and English documenting the history of the Disengagement Plan of 2005 and the uprooting of 21 thriving communities. Furthermore, the tour will lead you to the present housing of former Gush Katif inhabitants who also guide the tour.

The KATIF CENTER offers different tours. From two hours to an entire day. 

If anyone is interested, please book in advance. For reservations call Orit Berger 054 – 5953953 or oritberger33@gmail.com

Available in ENGLISH & HEBREW: http://www.gushkatif.co.il/

Further Links:

Katif.Net (in English)

Photos from Gush Katif

Photos: “Shavua HaSefer Ha’Ivri – Week of the Hebrew Book” in Tel Aviv

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This early evening, I went to Rabin Square (Kikar Rabin) in Tel Aviv where the "Hebrew Book Week" is taking place until June 25th. Further details on the "Book Week" elsewhere in the country HERE !

I didn't come to buy anything, as I have plenty of books at home which I still haven't read. What I was trying to do is finding the religious book stands. Chabad has a stand. Especially offering TANYA.:-)

Security check at the entrance.

Chabad at the book fair.

The stand of the half - religious Bar Ilan University

In my opinion, the most interesting stand at the book fair: The settlers who were thrown out of Gush Katif in 2005. I spoke to one of them and received incredible details. 

More on this I am going to publish in my next article !

 Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Jerusalem Light Festival 2011 and the Lunar Eclipse

Sunset in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Chassidut Toldot Aharon: "The iPhone is Impure !"

 

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The above poster was published at the Toldot Aharon Beit Midrash in Beit Shemesh yesterday (Friday). The Admor of the Chassidut considers the iPhone as "Tamei - Impure" and those members possessing an iPhone will be excluded from the group.

The problem is that the new multimedia attracts so many young Chassidim that even Toldot Aharon won't be able to watch every single member. By the way, I know one former Toldot Aharon guy with a Facebook account.:-)

Admor News

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1. Rabbi Tuvia Weiss from the Edah HaCharedit travelled to New York in order to participate in the wedding of his grandchild.

2. The Karlin – Stoliner Rebbe travelled to the Ukraine yesterday (Friday).

3. The son of the Kosnitzer Rebbe is going to celebrate his wedding with the granddaughter of the Zidichover Rebbe this coming Wednesday. Actually, the Kosnitzer Beit Midrash in Tel Aviv is not too far away from where I live but, unfortunately, I haven’t made it so far. Someone who knows the Rebbe gave me a book documenting the history of Kosnitz but I have so much to research to do on other topis that Kosnitz has always been put somewhere in the background.

Nature in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The SEFAT EMET on Parashat SHLACH

 Photo: NASA

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The famous former Gerrer (Gur) Rebbe, the SEFAT EMET, sees a metaphor in Moshe sending the spies (Meraglim) to Canaan. He compares the spies with the soul or a human being sent into this physical world where he has to pass different tests and follow G – d’s rules. Moshe provided the spies with specific instructions on what to look for.

The same in our physical world. G – d gave each of us a special task to fulfill and we should try fulfilling it without stressing our weaknesses, excuses and laziness. 

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If the Sefat Emet is only referring to the Torah Mitzvot, it is an easy task defining our task in life. Moreover, each of us has a different task in life. Also due to various individual potentials and abilities. It can be a real problem sometimes not to know what one’s task in life is.

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginzburgh on Parashat SHELACH

 Rabbi Yitzchak Ginzburgh (Chabad) on this week's Parashat Shelach.