This is our consolation. We are here. We are in Israel, we are in Hebron, we are at Ma’arat HaMachpela. We did not fade away and die
This past week I found Shabbat morning prayers at Ma’arat HaMachpela, the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron to be particularly poignant.

There were three separate minyons taking place simultaneously. To my left, in the hall memorializing Ya’akov and Leah a family from Jerusalem celebrated their son’s Bar Mitzvah.  The room isn’t very large, and it was packed from wall to wall. When the thirteen year old finished chanting the weekly Torah portion, festive singing filled the building, arousing joy even in the other, adjacent services. A piece of candy bounced off of my chair, outside that room and was quickly swiped by a child sitting nearby.

To the right of the central courtyard was another group of people praying, according to the Sepharadi traditions. They were also in the midst of a celebration; A fresh chatan and kallah, bride and groom, were in attendance. The young couple had married only days before, in the Machpela garden courtyard, outside the magnificent monument above the caves of the Forefathers. There too familiar sounds of delight reverberated throughout the building.

I sat in the courtyard, surrounded by festivity, but also lost in thought. As the Torah reading concluded, a familiar Hebron resident, Yossi Lebovitch, approached the podium, and taking the Torah scroll in his long arms, began reciting “El, Maleh Rachamim,” a special prayer repeated at the time of a yartzheit, the annual memorial of a relative’s passing.

Yossi’s resounding voice rose above the joyous celebrations of the other groups as he prayed for the soul of his murdered son Elazar, killed eight years ago this week, on the eve of his twenty first birthday.  A soldier at the time of his death, Elazar was chauffeuring a newlywed couple, a close friend of his, to Hebron for the traditional Shabbat post-wedding party. A few kilometers outside of Hebron terrorists opened fire on his car, hitting and fatally wounding him.

When Yossi Lebovitch finished the short memorial for his son, he continued, again repeating the ancient prayer, this time in memory of sixty seven Jews slaughtered in Hebron eighty-one years ago this week, in the summer of 1929. Men, women and children were tortured and massacred by their friends and neighbors. Three days later the survivors, some of whom were saved by Arabs, were expelled from the city, bringing about an end to a Jewish community  thousands of years old. A small group returned in 1931 but were evicted in the spring of 1936, being told that the Mufti, Haj Amin El Husseini, who led the 1929 riots, was again inciting against the Jews and their safety could no longer be guaranteed. From 1936 until 1967 Hebron remained Judenrein. 

Every year, on the eighteenth day of the Hebrew month of Av, people gather at the martyr’s plot in the ancient Jewish cemetery to mourn those killed decades ago.

The weekly Haftorah reading, from the prophet Isaiah, on the Shabbat preceding this anniversary, begins with the words, “Nachamu Nachamu,” “consolation, consolation.”

Where is our consolation?

My wife and I hosted, this past Shabbat, close friends of ours who live in Kiryat Arba. We’ve known them for many years and have spent much time together in the past. But this time was extra special.

Why so? My friend Shlomo is a Cohen, of the traditional ‘priestly caste.’ It is well known that Cohanim are forbidden from entering cemeteries, and for that reason Shlomo had never visited inside the building atop the caves of Machpela, despite his living in Kiryat Arba for about 25 years. However, lately, due to certain technical structural changes in the building, Rabbis have ruled that it is now permissible for Cohanim to enter this holy site. So, on Shabbat morning I escorted my friend, for the first time, into Ma’arat HaMachpela.

I cannot fathom the feelings of a person accessing this sacred site for the first time, but I could visibly see his excitement and emotions. It was a very special moment. Later I asked him what he felt, worshiping for the first time inside Ma’arat HaMachpela. He responded, “I remember the first time I went to the Kotel – the Western Wall, and this was certainly no less than that. I remember then feeling, ‘we are here – Am Yisrael is here.’  And that is what I felt now, at Ma’arat HaMachpela. The Jewish people are here, really here.’

That is our consolation. We are here. We are in Israel, we are in Hebron, we are at Ma’arat HaMachpela. We did not fade away and die, despite a two thousand year exile, despite the destruction of the primary symbols of our essence – the Temple, Jerusalem and Jewish independence in our land. We suffered exile after exile, torture and death at the hands of persecutors and crusaders,  but refused to give up. Culminating, of course, with the most horrific moment, that being the Holocaust, and the most uplifting moment, that being the creation of the State of Israel.

This is not only solace; rather it is our response to the evil perpetrated against the Jewish people for thousands of years.  Standing next to the graves of the dozens of martyrs slaughtered in Hebron, eight y one years later, we can truthfully declare: we are your consolation, we have come home, the Jewish people are here, in Hebron.

The annual 1929 - Tarpat memorial service will take place in Hebron

at five o'clock in the afternoon at the ancient Jewish cemetery in Hebron

See the new Ma'arat HaMachpela Visitors pamphlet
Download here

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Photos from today's visit by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hagar of Viznitz

More photos here

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Please pray for Yisrael ben Chana Sarah (grandson of Rav Dov Lior), following an auto accident
Many years ago I came across an English-speaking soldier serving in Hebron. After talking for a while I invited him to a Shabbat meal at our home in Beit Hadassah. After those few hours together, I was so impressed, that I wrote an article about him, which I titled 'Zionism is not dead.' (See below.)

Little did I know that that young soldier, putting his life on the line in Hebron, not yet even an Israeli citizen, would later become famous, starring in the internationally acclaimed program "Tuesday Night Live."

Today, together with Jeremy Gimpel, Ari Abramowitz is making history, or perhaps better put, telling history the way it really is. And not just ancient history. These two men are using television as a tool to 'spread the word,' and they do it very well. They've interviewed countless people, including yours truly, on their show, and have developed an expertise second to none. I can but recommend that you take advantage of this opportunity to see them live in Houston. I have no doubt that following this show you will be delighted that you attended.
Here is an American from Texas, sitting next to me in Hebron, wearing an army uniform, 20 ye
Here is an American from Texas, sitting next to me in Hebron, wearing an army uniform, 20 years old, telling me that he is willing to put his life on the line because of "Zionism.'
ars old, telling me that he is willing to put his life on the line because of "Zionism.'

With blessings from Hebron,

David Wilder
Here is an American from Texas, sitting next to me in Hebron, wearing an army uniform, 20 years old, telling me that he is willing to put his life on the line because of "Zionism.'

Shema Israel

P.O. Box 8643
Jerusalem, Israel
www.TheLandOfIsrael.com
 

Zionism is not Dead
by David Wilder
February 12, 2000

Last week, touring with a couple of Americans, I stopped off at the ancient Ashkenazi cemetery in Hebron. This cemetery was used primarily by the Chabad-Lubuvitchers, who arrived in Hebron beginning in the early 1800s. The most prominent person interred at the cemetery is Menucha Rachel Shneerson Slonim, granddaughter of the Ba'al HaTanya, the founder of the Chabad movement, and daughter of the "Middler Rebbi."

The entire cemetery was razed to the ground between 1929 and 1967. However Menucha Rachel's gravesite was restored, due to the generous help of Rabbi Yosef Gutnick. Unfortunately, Arabs in the area constantly desecrate her grave because the Israeli security forces refuse to post guards at the cemetery. They also prevent Jews in Hebron from guarding the site 24 hours a day.

However, every afternoon a group of men study Torah in the small courtyard adjacent to the actual cemetery. During those few hours a small contingent of Israeli soldiers are posted there, to protect them from any Arab attacks.

While we were there last week one of the soldiers, hearing us speaking English, approached us and asked us where we were from. It turns out that this soldier, named Ari, is from Texas and has been in the army for seven months. We talked for a little while and then continued on our way.

This morning, during Shabbat prayers at Ma'arat HaMachpela, I noticed him, asked him where he was eating lunch, and invited him to my home for a Shabbat meal. He agreed and met me at Beit Hadassah an hour later.

During lunch he told us that he is not yet an Israeli citizen. Ari is participating in a program called "Machal" which, translated into English, is a program for non-Israelis who wish to voluntarily serve in the army. Ari, 20 years old and a student at Yeshiva University in New York, did four months of basic training and another 2 months of military exercises. He is now in Hebron and will soon be heading off on another assignment. Three months from now he will take off his uniform and study in a Hesder Yeshiva for another 3 months, before wrapping up the program.

I asked him why he wanted to serve in the Israeli army, even before he declares citizenship, (which he eventually plans on doing). His answer, in one word, was "Zionism."

Here is an American from Texas, sitting next to me in Hebron, wearing an army uniform, 20 years old, telling me that he is willing to put his life on the line because of "Zionism.' In the ensuing discussion he told me that he is aware that many Israelis look for ways to avoid serving. He also expressed disappointment that most of the fellows in his unit serve, not for ideological reasons, but because they have no choice. Even so, Ari is happy that he is here, doing what he is doing.

Following his stint in the army, Ari plans to continue his higher education here in Israel. Having already begun in the United States, it would be easier to continue there. This he knows. But he also understands that it is more important for him to be here. He doesn't want to 'get stuck' in the United States. The only way to be sure of being here in Israel is, very simply, to be here.

Ari didn't have a lot of time to spend with us. Duty calls. He left us, before we finished the meal, to begin another eight hour tour of duty. Not easy, standing in one spot for eight hours at a stretch. It is just as difficult, perhaps, to patrol for eight hours. But Ari left happily, knowing that he is fulfilling a mission - not only his mission, but the mission of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel.

Speaking before he left, I told Ari and the others at the table that I feel a spiritual uplifting being in the presence of such people, people who don't speak about what should be done, but actually go out and do it. Ari doesn't talk about ideals, he practices them. He doesn't look for excuses why it is too difficult to implement the ideals. He does what has to be done, easy or hard. Sure, there are disappointments - but they are not impediments to implementation; rather they serve to spur you on, looking forward, figuring out how to do more, how to improve.

There are those who say that Zionism is dead and buried - Zionism being the movement of the Jewish people back to the land of Israel. On the face of it, witnessing the opposite of pure Zionism, seeing Jews separate themselves from the Land of Israel piece by peace, that hypothesis seems to be correct. But being with Ari for a couple of hours left me knowing that Zionism is not dead. Maybe Zionism is in a deep slumber, perhaps even hibernating. But as long as there are people like Ari in the world, people who understand a simple truth and live accordingly, not for their own benefit, but for a common good, the common good of the Jewish people in Israel, one must reach a conclusion that Zionism is not dead. Ari is a living example.

ISRAEL’S #1 HIT TV SHOW “TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE” COMES TO THE U.S.

 HOUSTON BASED EVENT EXPECTED TO KICK OFF U.S. MULTI-CITY TOUR

            JERUSALEM—Israel’s smash hit “Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem,” the first ever Jerusalem-based English television show to broadcast internationally, is set to take their telecast to the U.S., filming a series of “ Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem across America” shows from different cities, starting with Houston, Texas on August 10th at 7:00pm at The Westin Galleria Hotel (5060 W. Alabama).

Hosted by internationally recognized TV and radio personalities Ari Abramowitz and Jeremy Gimpel, “Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem” sends a message of inspiration, truth, and unwavering dedication to the land of Israel in each of its shows.  In Jerusalem, the show regularly sells out to an audience of people across different faiths, nationalities, and religious backgrounds, and now they plan on taking TNL to every state in America.

The duo, commander and soldier in the IDF reserves, started the English language variety show to project the beauty, wisdom, and celebration of the Jewish People who have finally returned to their Homeland after 2,000 years.   It is a platform for notable politicians, educators, activists, entertainers, and everyday people on the streets of Jerusalem to show the land of Israel through their perspective. The Houston show will include top musical performers and entertainment, as well as a one-on-one interview with Congressman Louie Gohmert (R).  Tickets cost $18 and are available for purchase by emailingHouston@thelandofisrael.com.

-more-

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE IN HOUSTON

TAKE 2/2/2/2

“As Americans who moved to Israel we wanted to highlight Israel’s unparalleled contribution to the world”, said host and co-founder Ari Abramowitz.  “By bringing a taste of Israel to Texas, and to places throughout America, we are sharing a celebration of Israel with the people that support us, and showing the world we stand together.”

“Our show was started out of a deep frustration that no matter how beautiful and exemplary our actions are, much of the world media will spin, distort, and lambast us.  We have the right to be proud of our inspiring work in Haiti – and we deserve more than the dark and perverse accusations of organ harvesting and abuse” says Ari.

“We even offer help and assistance to our mortal enemies, like Iran’s earthquake, but they refuse and say they would rather die than accept help from the Jews” Gimpel adds.         

“While the conflict has long been at the center of the media’s attention, the concept of the show is to shift the focus for the world to see the beauty of the people and our heritage and take pride in everything Israel has to offer,” added  host and creator Jeremy Gimpel.

            Launched in 2008, “Tuesday Night Live” (TNL) is the first ever Jerusalem based English television show to broadcast to the world.  With over 53 episodes in just three seasons, TNL has become a household name in Jerusalem and a cultural phenomenon throughout world.  The show celebrates and rejoices in the rich culture and experiences life in Israel has to offer through features including interviews with politicians, newsmakers, spiritual leaders and everyday people, along with musical acts, funny street segments, and more.  The show is dedicated to inspiring the world and empowering the Jewish people. www.TheLandOfIsrael.com.

So dear leftists: Please don’t push your distorted glass onto our face. Let the soldiers dance a little
Leftist hypocrisy in Hebron
Orit Struck
Printed in ynet:
http://goo.gl/9FlN

The radical leftist camp was all over the video (see below) showing  in Hebron as if it found a great treasure. The camp’s spokespeople quickly declared that the clip was filmed “on a major street in Hebron, or one that used to be major at least. Arab movement on the street is limited, school children go through metal detectors, and soldiers screen the adults.”

How terrible, thinks the average Israeli, who regularly goes through at least one metal detector or security guard at restaurants, movie theaters, or malls.

The radical Left has been trying to convince us to put on its own distorted glasses. Through these glasses, history begins in 1967, Hebron is a “Palestinian town,” and every street we see must be “Shuhada Street,” the city’s central thoroughfare.

Yet the street chosen by the soldiers as a dance floor happened to be the one right above Hebron’s ancient Jewish cemetery. The 80th anniversary of the 1929 massacre was marked right below this street. From their grave, the 67 murder victims must recall the British soldiers who did nothing while the City of our Forefathers turned into a killing field – these victims must prefer the dancing IDF solders.

The street in the clip is known as “Tavger Road,” named after Professor Benzion Tavger, who in 1974 chose the restoration of the Hebron cemetery over a university position. “The cemetery was neglected, the tombstone shattered, with Arabs using them for construction,” Tavger said to explain his choice. The cemetery was desecrated and destroyed under the command of Jordanian soldiers, who controlled the city until they were replaced by our dancing soldiers.

Right below of the improvised dance floor also lie the graves of baby Shalhevet Pas, Mordechai Lapid, and his son Shalom, as well as dozens of others murdered in Hebron merely for being Jewish. The Arab murderers did not take into consideration the “peace” deals signed by their leaders, forcing the IDF to adopt a policy of separation between Jews and Arabs.

This separation is “equal” of course: The Jews are completely forbidden from traveling in 97% of the city, while the Arabs have been banned from 3% only, and they’re forced to undergo security “screening” just like any other Israeli.

Hebron is prospering

By the way, the call of the Muezzin against the backdrop of the dancing soldiers indicates that the clip was filmed at 4:30 am. This is why the street is empty, just like in Tel Aviv at this hour.

It would also be worthwhile to look up for a moment: The view one would see from the “dance floor” is the real downtown Hebron. The town is prospering with commerce flourishing and a construction boom. There is no construction freeze there. “They took me to see the market, which the whole city is proud of…city hall officials say there is no market that is more modern and efficient in the whole of Palestine, and not even in Jordan or Tel Aviv,” wrote Danny Rubinstein with great pleasure in one of the papers.

Of course, everything is happening under the Israeli “occupation” of the “brutal” soldiers we see dancing. Try comparing that to Gaza, where there are no Israeli soldiers, only Hamas troops.

The IDF “dance floor” is also a good vantage point on the half a million Jews who pour into Hebron every year. These are the people who convinced government ministers to include the Cave of the Patriarch as a  Jewish heritage site. The area also offers a good view of restored Jewish neighborhoods that bring back Jewish life to the place where such life was brutally uprooted.

Yet all of the above is of no interest to the spokespeople of the radical Left. So dear leftists: Please don’t push your distorted glass onto our face. Let the soldiers dance a little. We prefer to see them dancing like they did in the video, rather than being beaten up like we saw in the videos from the Marmara.

Orit Struck heads the legal department in Hebron’s Jewish community and runs Judea and Samaria’s human rights organization