Shabbat Comes to Jerusalem

Shabbat Comes to Jerusalem

It is now close to Shabbat in Jerusalem and there is a calm descending upon the city. Stores are closing and there are only a handful of cars on the road. Today I visited Shaar Yafo – The Jaffa Gate. Last week two Yeshiva students were attacked and stabbed at this location.  Today it was hub of activity with tourists of all faiths passing through this historic entrance to the “Old City.” One of the most wonderful parts of this trip is witnessing firsthand the resilience of the Israelis and how no one is living in fear. Just the opposite, the city and country are alive.

Of course I visited the Kotel – the Western Wall. I brought with me the list of names of people from the Shul who are not well and at the Holiest place on earth I asked Hashem to grant them a speedy recovery.  Once again, I had the opportunity to speak with families from last week’s tragedy. This is the first Shabbat after the Shiva. May they find comfort during this difficult time in their lives. Shelly, our congregant whose brother was injured in the attack is spending Shabbat with him in the hospital.

I am spending this Shabbat with my five children and two grandchildren that live here. A rare opportunity. I will resume the updates after Shabbat. In the meantime, Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi P.

Jerusalem Wakes Up

Jerusalem Wakes Up

Friday is a very busy day in Jerusalem. Later I will go to the hospital to visit the wounded, however for now Jerusalem is waking up and there is no better time of the day to see and smell the flavour of the city.

We start off in Machane Yehuda, the world famous open-air market where you can buy the freshest meat, fish, vegetables along with  twenty varieties of herring. Mounds of fresh spices greet you as you enter the spice market. If you’re in the mood to give Tzedaka, you don’t have to look any farther than the Pushkes mounted on the walls throughout the city. Then off to buy fresh Challah for Shabbat. It is hard not to buy an extra one to sample right now, they smell so good.

On the way you can get a sense of how Israeli’s park; and we thought in Montreal we parked poorly!

The streets are alive with the sounds of construction, shopping, children going off to school, men walking towards Shul and the hustle and bustle of the most special city in the world – Yerushalyim Shel Zahav – Jerusalem, the City of Gold.

No religion teaches that it is right to kill

No religion teaches that it is right to kill

I had the opportunity to attend the dedication of a brand new Magen David Adom ambulance tonight in Har Nof. It was dedicated in memory of the five victims of the recent terror attack on Kehilat Bnei Torah in Har Nof on November 18th. It was attended by all of the widows, including the wife of the Druze police officer, Zidan Saif who was killed defending the Shul. There were also injured police officers and first responders in attendance who had been injured during the attack. There were Jews from every Jerusalem walk of life. Black hats, knitted kippot, no kippot, Arabs were in attendance as well. As Rabbi Rubin the Rabbi of the synagogue stated, “No religion teaches that it is right to kill.” I echo those words. On Sunday I will be visiting two Druze villages and meeting with an Imam because we so desperately need peace. (more…)

Nothing will ever be the same

Nothing will ever be the same

“Nothing will ever be the same.” These words were shared with me by Rabbi Motti Olderberg, one of the officers of Kehilat Bnei Torah Synagogue where the Har Nof massacre on November 18 occurred. There were five fatalities and seven wounded including the brother of Shelly Rothman, a member of Beth Zion Congregation. As you can see from the pictures the glass with bullet holes has not yet been replaced, nor has the door that the police smashed in order to gain access to the sanctuary. You will also notice a bullet hole in a volume of Talmud as well. (more…)

Mission to Israel Commences

Mission to Israel Commences

Arrived safely in Israel. On my way to Jerusalem. I have an appointment in Har Nof in an hour to visit the Shul, meet the Rabbi and attend a dedication of an ambulance in memory of the victims of the massacre. This is how we move on from tragedy by building for the future. I will update later. Rabbi P.