Yom Kippur 5773 / 2012 Times Jerusalem

At the Kotel (Western Wall)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Tomorrow afternoon the highest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, is going to begin. The official Yom Kippur times for Jerusalem are:

Candle Lighting Yom Ha'Kippurim: 4.56pm (16.56)

Yom Kippur, the fast, ends on Wednesday night at 6.06pm (18.06). 

Please be aware that all Egged buses will stop running at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday) ! Those of you who are planning to travel should do so early in the morning. Furthermore, restaurants and shops are going to close around the same time. At 2pm. Even in secular Tel Aviv !

In case you are in Jerusalem, you are Jewish and still don't have a place for "Kol Nidre" or the actual service including "Ne'ilah" on Wednesday, there are different places in the Old City where you can go. From Aish Ha'Torah to the Heritage House / Jeff Seidel / Aish Programme to Chabad (Zemach Zedek). Not to forget the Sephardic Center in the Jewish Quarter or Rabbi Israel Goldberg, the Chabad Shaliach in Rehavia.

Picture of the Day

Seen in front of a store in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Going to Yeshiva

Going to Yeshiva

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Haredim and Arabs are joining the Israeli Army

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Netanyahu decided that "Haredim & Israeli Arabs" have to join the army. The plan is to turn every single Israeli into a Zionist favouring a democratic system. 

For the past few weeks, the Israeli media just bombarded us with news against haredi society. Well, some journalists showed a bit of mercy for the haredi society and even wrote the daily reality no one else seems to take into consideration:

What is the army going to do with a few thousand more recruits ? At the moment, the Israeli army doesn't even have the capacity drafting all 18 - year old citizens who are willing to join. Plenty of them are being delayed because there is just not enough space. Furthermore, the government is not willing to provide special units for the haredi population. The present NACHAL HA'HAREDI has become a national religious unit and those two different groups don't go together. Not only because Haredim usually have a higher kashrut standard. 

The Haredim are already planning a demonstration of millions against the upcoming law. However, lets leave the Haredim but look at a more severe change in law. 

Israeli Arabs are due to be drafted into the army service too. The question is: Whom are they going to fight ? In case an Arab pilot is ordered to bomb Iran, he may prefer to rather dump his bomb on Tel Aviv.

This is just great for Arabs: They receive army weapons and military training. Let alone getting to know all military secrets. This is just perfect: The enemy will know about all the secrets and is thus able to lead a counterstrike. This way, the present State of Israel is going to commit suicide.

The "Haredim & the Army Subject" again

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Making a long story very short: 

Again, the Israeli government wants to discuss drafting ALL Haredim into the army service. As expected, the EDAH HA’CHAREDIT has already run a protest and many more will follow. 

It is widely known that most Haredim don’t agree with the present State of Israel. I am not talking about the anti – Zionism of Satmar, the Neturei Karta, Toldot Aharon, the EDAH or as a whole or Chabad. Also Belz, Gur and others are not too happy with the present state but do, in a way, try influencing the government regarding religion. 

The latest official suggestion is that all Haredim may be forced to join the Israeli army. If they are not willing to join, they could be facing economic sanctions. Whatever that means. 

I am not favouring any force but do think that many young Haredim need a task in life. Too many of them are not going to Yeshiva on a daily basis but simply hang around. Either in the streets, Internet Cafes, snack bars with TV or in parks. And too many of them get negative ideas and start going against the law. Especially for those guys, the army duty wouldn’t be so bad but could provide them with a certain level of responsibility in life. If they don’t go to the Yeshiva, at least, do something in life.

Haredi Vacation in Germany ?

Source: Be'Chadrei HaCharedim

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Who would think of traveling to Germany on a vacation trip ? The Jewish religious world has lost so countless Jews in the Shoah and now Germany should be a new spa for Haredim ? 

There have been advertisements by a certain group of Haredim offering hotel deals in Berlin, Leipzig or Dresden. This has risen a controversy on haredi forums and the question is raised how a German hotel could be kosher le’Mehadrin ? 

So, lets say the Haredim travel to Germany in order to stay in a kosher hotel. Although I have my doubts whether the hotels are really kosher, as there is only CHALAV NOCHRI in the area. 

Are those Haredim able to leave the hotels and just walk around ? Leipzig and Dresden are full of Neonazis and Berlin is full of Muslims. Various religious Jews walking around downtown Berlin have already been attacked in the past. Let alone all those dangers waiting, how can any haredi Jew enjoy a German hotel knowing about the past of the country ? 

Just the opposite with Chassidut ERLOI (Jerusalem). The Erloier Rebbe has recently put a ban (Cherem) in German products.

Source: Be'Chadrei HaCharedim

I was born and raised in Germany myself and relatives of mine still live there. My brother always tells me how the country has changed and slowly turns into a Muslim majority due to thousands of Germans converting to fundamentalist Islam. I hope that those Haredim going on the trip will arrange a few bodyguards. Otherwise, don’t even think about leaving the hotel wearing a Streimel !

Pessach Food Packages for the Needy

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Pessach in Jerusalem: Haredi charity organizations handing out food for the needy.

All photos HERE !

Israel's Supreme Court against the "Tal Law"

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Just recently, I wrote the below article on the Israeli "Tal Law" and yesterday, the Supreme Court took an interesting step: The "Tal Law" is cancelled, as it doesn't show any equality ! It cannot be that a certain society group is exempt from the army service while others have to serve. 

Now the Israeli government has got six months offering another law proposal. This shouldn't be that easy, as the haredi parties are part of the coalition. On the other hand, it is not impossible, as also haredi ministers like to keep their positions.

My former article from a few weeks ago:

Again, the Israeli government has to decide about the extention of the controversial “Chok Tal – Tal Law”: Young male Haredim who are enrolled in Yeshivot are, according to the "Tal Law", exempt from the army service. 

Every time, the law is being discussed anew, all kinds of new / old criticism is coming up. At the moment, the time making a decision is not the best: For the past weeks, Israeli left - wing organizations as well as the secular press have been spreading the worst propaganda against haredi society as a whole. Without pointing out various differences between various haredi groups and ideologies. 

I can understand those Israelis who are joining the army service without any complaint. They see it as their duty to protect and fight for our country. I can also understand that regular Israeli soldiers are upset about an entire (haredi) society not joining the armed forces. On the other hand, I do understand many Haredim who do not join the Israeli army. One of the main reasons why they don't are society reasons. Young Haredim are reluctant to go to the army, as they fear being rejected from their own society. Especially regarding Shidduchim or that family members won't be accepted at great Yeshivot. 

More than a decade ago, the army unit “Nahal HaCharedi” was founded. The first soldiers joining this haredi unit were Haredim. However, a little later, the "Nahal" made the mistake of accepting more and more national religious soldiers. The difference is that national religious soldiers do agree to certain "light" standards such as eating kosher food with a "Chief Rabbinate - Rabbanut" Hechsher. Most Haredim do not. Haredim don't really want to serve in this unit anymore, as they don't consider the "Nahal" as entirely haredi but as something "modern Orthodox". Nevertheless, there is quite a high amount of Haredim who would like to serve in the army if the religious standards were higher. The more Rabbis were favouring the army service, the more Haredim would actually join. 

Haredim as well as national religious men claim that the army itself doesn't want too many frum soldiers. Despite all criticism, does the army really need so many haredi soldiers ? The generals say YES but reality appears to be different. The Ministry of Defense has been spreading quite shocking reports: In another 10 years or so, the Israeli army is going to face a lack of soldiers. How then will we be able to defend our country ? As expected, the press found the guilty side: The Haredim. On the other hand, the media also pointed out that the amount of secular Israelis looking for exemption from the army, has been constantly growing. The number 1 refusals are coming from secular Israelis living in Tel Aviv. 

I don't have any solution to offer. On the one hand, I do understand the haredi public and its refusal of going to the army. On the other hand, I have lots of sympathy for Israeli soldiers complaining about the "Tal Law". Why do they have to serve while others sit in Yeshivot or simply do nothing besides enrolling ? As a matter of fact, there is a high amount of young Haredim who are enrolled in Yeshivot but hardly participate in any studies. 

I know a national religious Rabbi whose son has become haredi. The son was anxious becoming a soldier but the father didn't let him go because he was too afraid that his son may die on the battlefield. The result was that the son didn't join the army but the service could have changed his life into more positive directions. Bored and not knowing what to do in life, the son went a little astray due to money matters. 

By the way, a couple of years ago (when I was still younger), I asked the army whether I can still join. Due to my advanced age, I couldn't but was offered to volunteer at a checkpoint. The problem was that I need to earn a living and thus didn't sign up.  
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Anyone interested in reading a good book on the issue:

The Chabadnik (I don't know if he still is one), David Zoldan, wrote a book about his army service and the first "Nachal HaHaredi" where he was serving. I haven't finished reading the whole book but sometimes the content is too military. Which general said what and how the Nachal was founded. 

However, the book is interesting to read and also describes the reaction of David Zoldan's Rabbi and Mashpiah who didn't agree with the step the former Yeshiva student took. 

The book was published in Hebrew and the English title:

"The Yarmulke and the Helmet" 

The story of the First Ultra - Orthodox Army Unit"

by David Zoldan

The right photo shows David Zoldan at the beginning of his army service. The left picture was taken later. 

SHTUREM has an article about Zoldan. Hebrew only !

Tal Law - חוק טל

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Again, the Israeli government has to decide about the extention of the controversial “Chok Tal – Tal Law”: Young male Haredim who are enrolled in Yeshivot are, according to the "Tal Law", exempt from the army service. 

Every time, the law is being discussed anew, all kinds of new / old criticism is coming up. At the moment, the time making a decision is not the best: For the past weeks, Israeli left - wing organizations as well as the secular press have been spreading the worst propaganda against haredi society as a whole. Without pointing out various differences between various haredi groups and ideologies. 

I can understand those Israelis who are joining the army service without any complaint. They see it as their duty to protect and fight for our country. I can also understand that regular Israeli soldiers are upset about an entire (haredi) society not joining the armed forces. On the other hand, I do understand many Haredim who do not join the Israeli army. One of the main reasons why they don't are society reasons. Young Haredim are reluctant to go to the army, as they fear being rejected from their own society. Especially regarding Shidduchim or that family members won't be accepted at great Yeshivot. 

More than a decade ago, the army unit “Nahal HaCharedi” was founded. The first soldiers joining this haredi unit were Haredim. However, a little later, the "Nahal" made the mistake of accepting more and more national religious soldiers. The difference is that national religious soldiers do agree to certain "light" standards such as eating kosher food with a "Chief Rabbinate - Rabbanut" Hechsher. Most Haredim do not. Haredim don't really want to serve in this unit anymore, as they don't consider the "Nahal" as entirely haredi but as something "modern Orthodox". Nevertheless, there is quite a high amount of Haredim who would like to serve in the army if the religious standards were higher. The more Rabbis were favouring the army service, the more Haredim would actually join. 

Haredim as well as national religious men claim that the army itself doesn't want too many frum soldiers. Despite all criticism, does the army really need so many haredi soldiers ? The generals say YES but reality appears to be different. The Ministry of Defense has been spreading quite shocking reports: In another 10 years or so, the Israeli army is going to face a lack of soldiers. How then will we be able to defend our country ? As expected, the press found the guilty side: The Haredim. On the other hand, the media also pointed out that the amount of secular Israelis looking for exemption from the army, has been constantly growing. The number 1 refusals are coming from secular Israelis living in Tel Aviv. 

I don't have any solution to offer. On the one hand, I do understand the haredi public and its refusal of going to the army. On the other hand, I have lots of sympathy for Israeli soldiers complaining about the "Tal Law". Why do they have to serve while others sit in Yeshivot or simply do nothing besides enrolling ? As a matter of fact, there is a high amount of young Haredim who are enrolled in Yeshivot but hardly participate in any studies. 

I know a national religious Rabbi whose son has become haredi. The son was anxious becoming a soldier but the father didn't let him go because he was too afraid that his son may die on the battlefield. The result was that the son didn't join the army but the service could have changed his life into more positive directions. Bored and not knowing what to do in life, the son went a little astray due to money matters. 

By the way, a couple of years ago (when I was still younger), I asked the army whether I can still join. Due to my advanced age, I couldn't but was offered to volunteer at a checkpoint. The problem was that I need to earn a living and thus didn't sign up. 

Haredi Street Sign

Gender Separation on Israeli Buses ? Problem Solved !

Ladies upstairs, men downstairs.

Source: Manishmah.Com

Chassidim in the Holocaust and Germany's Media Reports

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This Friday, 27th January, the world is going to commemorate those millions of Jews who were killed by the Nazis during the Third Reich. On the one hand, Germany's media has been reporting against Faschism, Hitler, "Wannsee - Conference" and anything connected to the crimes carried out between 1933 - 1945. But, on the other hand, Germany's entire press still hates religious Jews and writes about them just like the anti - Semitic magazine "Der Stürmer". Only a left - wing Jew is a good Jew, this is how the German media thinks until today.

Chassidim during the Holocaust

My (haredi) No. 1 Bus Ride

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Yesterday I took the no. 1 bus from the Kotel (Western Wall) to downtown Jerusalem. The driver was Arab, the passengers half haredi, half secular and half another mix. I got onto the bus in pants and was hoping not to be stared at as someone coming to make trouble. Usually I know the bus as mainly haredi and thus a voluntarily separate gender seating. 

The bus was full but all passengers sat wherever they wanted. No gender separation and even the Haredim were seating here and there. No fuss, no complaints and no one making trouble. The leftists would have been bored on that mostly religious EGGED bus.

Germans in haredi Society

Seen in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Hatred towards Haredim got much worse due to the anti - haredi media reports from Israel: The vast majority of today's German population doesn't know any Jew. Not personally but from TV reports. There aren't any Haredim in the country except for Chabad (Lubavitch) and a couple of Litvaks. Do Germans see or know any Haredim in their country ? No. Even German Jewry hardly knows any Haredim beyond some Chabadnikim walking around but many of them think that this is haredi society. Whoever wants to learn about the real haredi society has to move to New York, New Jersey, London, Manchester, to Zurich or Vienna oder simply to Israel. And in those places, it is not enough to walk through haredi neighbourhoods (Example: Golders Green in London) but one has actually to become part of haredi society. 

For almost two years I went to a litvishe Yeshiva. The correct Hebrew expression would be “Michlalah”. I had already left the Yeshiva and, due to very personal reasons, distanced myself a bit from haredi society, when I got to know a young German woman living in Jerusalem. It happened, more or less, by accident that I met her. Although many of you will now tell me that there is nothing like "by accident" in this world, as everything is "Hashgacha Pratit". However, the young woman was German and had converted to Judaism. In Germany and not in Israel. 

After her conversion she moved to Israel and started studying in a certain women's Yeshiva in order to learn more about Judaism. I don't want to mention the name of the institute but I can say that it was Litvish. I myself went there for a few days but decided that it wasn't for me. Not the mentality and my desire was getting into higher Jewish studies such as Gemara. That particular Yeshiva didn't offer any talmudic studies and eventually I ended up in a different institute but also run by Litvaks. 

Israel's haredi world doesn't only consist of ultra - Orthodox Jews being born in the country. On the contratry, as many Haredim have moved to Israel from abroad. Many have officially made Aliyah with "Nefesh be’Nefesh”. Haredim from the United States, Canada (especially from Toronto), South Africa, Britain or Australia. Generally speaking, there is a difference between those Haredim being born and raised in Israel and those coming from the Diaspora. Some may get the idea that Diaspora Jews moving to Israel are more modern and haredi "light". Even Israeli Haredim consider Diaspora Haredim not as strict and traditional as them. Example: The Israeli girl's school Beit Yaakov differs a lot from those in London or New York. 

The differences between those two haredi groups also influence the Shidduch business, as you can surely imagine and, many times, it is an issue. On the other hand, I have faced plenty of situations where Diaspora Haredim where less tolerant than their Israeli counterparts. Not to forget mentioning the difference between "born Haredim" and the "newly religious Ba'alei Teshuva". But I am going to write about those conflicts later on. 

Coming back to the young woman: I was quite amazed when I realized that she had turned into an American copy. Usually Jews moving to Israel turn into Israelis. At least those who make an effort of being part of Israeli society including speaking Hebrew. This young woman, however, became American in Israel. Not a US citizen but her mentality, way of living and expressing herself. Of course, her Yeshiva was the main reason for the transformation. The institute offers programmes in English, Hebrew and, as far as I know, also in French and Spanish. The young woman participated in the English programme and lived with Americans in the dorm rooms. 

As life goes on, a member of haredi society needs a spouse and thus, the Shidduch process is taking place. The young woman is looking for a marriage partner and, as I assume, it should be an American Litvak living in Israel. However, as a German convert joining haredi society, it isn't that easy finding a American Haredi Shidduch. Why ? Because haredi society as a whole has neither forgiven nor forgotten the Holocaust. Meaning that the grandparents of the German convert may have voted for Hitler or somehoe interacted in with the Nazi regime. Let alone of being an SS - member. By the way, I heard that a descendant of Heinrich Himmler married an American Jew. The son on Holocaust survivors. 

The Germans have murdered several 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust and after the War was over, many Eastern European and German Jews not only moved to Palestine (Israel) but to the United States. Especially to New York. They escaped the Nazi terror and gas chambers and suddenly their grandchild is walking in with a German Shidduch ? 

Actually there are other ways of getting to know Haredim and people don't only marry because a Shadchan or Shadchanit is introducing them. Other ways may not be so accepted but they do exist. For instance: A couple may meet on a bus or at a family celebration with friends. Or may be introduced by friends. Furthermore, Haredim of Sephardi origin don't necessarily have the Holocaust history in their family although many Sephardic Jews got killed when the German General Erwin Rommel invaded the northern countries of Africa.

The haredi bus driver

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I am just coming back from my daytrip to Jerusalem. There wasn't so much to do in the capital today, as we had (and still have) ongoing heavy rain showers all over the country. The friend I was visiting suggested that we buy a ticket for the new tram and just take a longer ride to one of the final stops. So, we went from downtown Jerusalem to the outskirt Pisgat Ze'ev. 

The Pisgat Ze'ev neighbourhood was built about 15 - 20 years ago for the wave of new Russian immigrants streaming into Israel. However, it turned out that more Israelis were moving into the new neighbourhood than Russians. Surrounded by Arab neighbourhoods like Shuafat and Beit Chaninah, the Egged bus line often had trouble traveling. The bus was stoned by Arabs many times until Jerusalem's Municipality built a special tunnel for the bus. Now the new tram is directly going through Shuafat and Beit Chaninah until Pisgat Ze'ev. 

We had an interesting ride and I took quite a few pictures I am going to publish within the next days. 

On my way back to Tel Aviv, we had a haredi bus driver. In fact, I haven't seen too many haredi bus drivers driving bus no. 405 from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station. Tonight it happened. We were only very few people on the bus and one passenger started asking the driver about the latest leftist attacks on Haredim and Mehadrin buses. Only yesterday, a whole group of leftists again tried to strom into a Mehadrin bus but the bus driver refused letting them in. It is only them causing trouble but, in the end, even those leftists admitted, that the Mehadrin bus was not that bad at all and they left. 

Our bus driver reacted very emotional and stated that this has been going on for more than a week now. Israel's left trying to storm into haredi buses or yell at haredi bus drivers running other bus lines than the Egged Mehadrin buses. "They (the left) is receiving funding from abroad in order to cause trouble in Israel. All those attacks are just disgusting and the media is not ashamed of itself. Cutting Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef's statements out of context and publishing everything the way they (the media) want". 

People on the bus agreed and, fortunately, we didn't have any of those crazy haredi - hating leftists on the bus looking for trouble.

Local Egged buses in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The true haredi face

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There is no doubt that haredi society is anything but perfect and that there exist enough internal society problems. However, what no one should forget is the tremendous Chesed (kindness), haredi organizations carry out. Soup kitchens, any support for the needy, medical supply, medical help; haredi organizations even rent out glasses for someone who cannot afford a new pair at the moment. Any Jew can ask for help and no one will ask you if you wear a Kipa or a long skirt and long sleeves. 

A famous haredi  Chesed example in Israel: Yad Sarah

Not always THE HAREDIM !

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Surprisingly, Israel's left - wing paper HA’ARETZ has published a positive and very realistic article on the ongoing propaganda against anything ultra - Orthodox. Unfortunately, there are reports where Haredim got attacked by secular Jews. This is a shame for our country and for entire Judaism.  The same when some nutty Sikarikim attack others who don't think their way.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/fear-of-haredim-1.404011

All of us against Israel's pitiful Left

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Photos you won't see in the media but on a special Facebook Group :

Radical secular Israeli woman spitting at a Haredi in Jerusalem's Machane Yehudah Market. Apparently the picture was already taken in 2008.

Every Friday afternoon, a group of chassidic men is taking care that the market traders in Machane Yehudah close on time before Shabbat. The Haredi on the picture is one of those guys checking the traders. It may sound crazy but in Tel Aviv we don't face this kind of problem, as the traders of the Carmel Market very much close on time. Even before, as they think about going home and not getting more and more Shekels into their till. Also during the week, the stands at the Carmel Market are closing down between 6 - 7pm. The Machane Yehudah Market, on the other hand, is open until at least 8.00 or 8.30pm.

Radical left - wing Israeli greeting the Israeli flag with the Hitlergruss (Sieg Heil). This happened at a demonstration in Tel Aviv at the beginning of Dec. 2011. 

Israel's famous left - wing activist Dafni Leef participating in an Arab demonstration demanding more rights for Palestinian terrorists imprisoned in Israeli jails.

Israel's Media and its haredi hatred

This week, the haredi press is accusing the secular press of putting more fuel into the hatred issue. Secular papers as YEDIOT ACHARONOT ask women to complain about Haredim to the police in case they are spit at or assaulted. On the other hand, the haredi site KIKAR SHABBAT reports about Haredim being attacked by secular Jews. 

Regarding MODESTY (ZNIUT)

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Israel’s leftist paper YEDIOT ACHARONOT (Online it is called YNET) is spreading more propaganda referring to a new haredi scandal. Beit Shemesh is already out and now a female soldier was mocked on a haredi bus in Jerusalem. It seems like anyone is suddenly using haredi buses and causing a mess. If any Haredi complains, the person provoking is immediately calling YEDIOT ACHARONOT. 

Strange because hardly anyone before has ever complained. Also strange that have never faced any problems while traveling in pants or walking through Bnei Brak or other haredi areas in pants. I admit that I don’t enter certain areas wearing pants. Those areas with modesty signs. Example: I do not enter the Mea Shearim market or the Batei Ungarin in pants ! 

Furthermore, I won’t stand right in front of the Western Wall (Kotel) while wearing pants. When I come to the Kotel in pants I stand behind the separation between Kotel and tourists. When I come in a skirt, I stand right at the wall praying. Those decisions I have made for myself and try not to hurt anyone else’s feelings. I do respect haredi neighbourhoods and don’t enter the strictest areas in pants. I also respect G – d and don’t approach the Kotel in pants. 

When you go to an opera or theatre performance, you also dress up in a special way. Even the St. Peter’s Church at the Vatican only allows visitors dressed modestly and not wearing a bathing suit or short pants. 

Almost two years ago I wrote an article about an incident happening to me on haredi bus lines. I wasn’t yelled at but just the opposite happened. Unfortunately, not too many media sites report about positive matters.