Iyar 5, 5778, 4/20/2018
 Police Commissioner lights first Hanukkah candle at Western Wall'Light is similar to love, devotion, and service that can be transferred to others, and that is what every Israeli police officer does.' Jewish billionaire distributed $100 to anyone singing at KotelChilean billionaire Leonardo Farkas arrives at Western Wall, gives 100 dollar bills to anyone singing Chabad songs. Watch: Central slichot event at Western WallKotel plaza packed, as Tzfat chief rabbi Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu leads repentance prayers ahead of Yom Kippur. Feminist group wants Western Wall rabbi stripped of immunityCenter for Women's Justice demands Jerusalem Magistrates Court to strip Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch of his immunity. IDF guides rename Temple MountIDF booklet claims Binding of Isaac occurred '4,000 years ago, behind the Western Wall.' Rabbis: Western Wall controversy is not about rights at allRabbis reject senators' 'inappropriate intervention' in Israeli religious affairs. Mass 'selichot' prayers at Western Wall - in picturesChief Rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo Amar joins thousands of worshippers in mass selichot prayers at Western Wall days ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Conservative movement sends angry letter to PM NetanyahuConservative movement slams Israel for not 'diversifying' determination of Judaism, calls status quo 'unconscionable.' Chief Rabbinate: Supreme Court overstepped authorityChief Rabbinate says Supreme Court cannot force alterations at Western Wall plaza. Yaakov Shwekey 'Flagdance' historic Kotel plaza performanceView selected excerpts in honor of Jerusalem Jubilee celebrations, tens of thousands participate at Western Wall plaza. Watch: Motorcyclists salute Jerusalem policeA group of over 100 motorcyclists come to the Western Wall, show their support for the Israel police. Greenblatt prays at the KotelPresident Trump’s special representative visits the Western Wall after working to resolve tensions in Jerusalem. 'Reform failed in America'Former MK says Reform Movement wants Israeli Jews to assimilate, slams Reform for trying to dictate Israel's policies. Jewish Federation CEO: The gap is growingArik Goldstein, Jewish Federation of New York Executive Director, responds to government decision to freeze Western Wall plan. Government freezes pro-Reform Western Wall planReligious parties score win as plan to create mixed-gender prayer area at Western Wall for Reform Movement shelved. Israeli government gathers in Western Wall tunnelsGovernment holds meeting discussing making Western Wall more accessible for wheelchairs, affirming new Communications Minister. White House disassociates itself from Kotel commentsWhite House: Remarks by American diplomats that the Western Wall is not part of Israel do not reflect Trump's position. Watch: 'Kotel Cam' LiveArutz Sheva and ILTV with a special camera at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Six Day War Torah scroll to be featured in March of the LivingTorah scroll carried by Rabbi Shlomo Goren at liberation of Western Wall to be included in March of the Living. When Chabad united the right and leftCoalition Chairman Bitan and Opposition Leader Herzog celebrate at Chabad-organized bar mitzvah for 120 orphans.'Media coverage inviting terror attack at Western Wall'Haredi MK responds to report of lax security at holy site on Shabbat, warns Arab media pushing story could inspire attack. Sharansky: Reform Jewry the 'final defense' before assimilationNatan Sharansky, among those spearheading the 'Kotel plan', called for greater openness towards Reform Jews. US Ambassador to Israel summoned for reprimandNetanyahu summons US Ambassador; new policy guidelines to be announced Shas submits 'Kotel Law' to the KnessetShas submits law that will legally establish the Kotel's halakhic status and is also supported by MKs from Jewish Home and Likud. New proposal regulates the status of the KotelShas MKs propose bill to place the Kotel and the plaza around it under the jurisdiction of Rabbinical Courts and the Chief Rabbinate. Jewish Home MK: Supreme Court not authorized to adjudicate KotelMK Smotrich writes letter to Attorney General, asks government to tell Supreme Court to leave Western Wall alone.JFNA board: Implement Kotel egalitarian space dealJewish Federations of North America send letter to Netanyahu, calls for implementation of egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall. Father of murdered rabbi: Israel not intimidatedMemorial plaque dedicated to memory of terror victims Rabbi Nechemia Levy and Aaron Bennet. Letters to God delivered to Western WallHundreds of letters addressed delivered to the Western Wall as is traditional before the High Holidays. 'Women of the Wall' convenes shofar ceremony at Western WallAfter initially being denied, local police chief allowed 'Women of the Wall' into the Western Wall plaza this morning with shofars.Former MK: Reform Movement is trying to uproot halachaFormer Shas MK Rabbi Nissim Ze'ev decries Reform attempts to take over Kotel. Petition calls to ban mixed prayers at the KotelPetition argues egalitarian prayer goes against 'local custom' defined by the Protection of Holy Places Law. Brazil 'regrets' UNESCO vote denying Jewish link to KotelBrazilian Foreign Minister Jose Serra says his country will change its vote on UNESCO motion, which declared Jewish sites 'Muslim.' Major security reinforcements at Kotel following terror attackJerusalem police beef up security personnel on and around Temple Mount as the first Friday of Ramadan approaches. Jerusalem Day: Returning to the KotelThe story of that miraculous day in June 1967. 50 Holocaust survivors have a delayed Bar MitzvahIn a moving ceremony at the Kotel, 50 survivors denied their Bar or Bat Mitzvah by Nazis finally get the opportunity to do so. Florida official has belated bar mitzvah at Western WallFlorida Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, candidate for Senate, recently 'came out' as Jewish. Petition to prevent 'Women’s Priestly Blessing' at KotelPetitioners ask High Court to stop 'offensive and insulting' Priestly Blessing ceremony to be performed by Women of the Wall. 22 sick children celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs at the KotelKav Lachayim brings 22 sick children from around the country together for an emotional bar and bat mitzvah ceremony at the Kotel. Archaeology Council warns 'Reform Kotel' will destroy historyIsraeli Archaeology Council writes to Netanyahu, Regev and Antiquities Authority, demanding plan for new prayer space be stopped. Government has three months to come up with new Kotel planCourt tells government to present new plan within three months, refuses to give temporary injunction against Women of the Wall. Looking for new agreement with ReformAgriculture Minister Uri Ariel, Chief Rabbi David Lau discuss how to best oppose moves to officially recognize Reform, change Kotel status. Reform movement warns NetanyahuIn message to PM, Reform leaders demand Kotel decision remain, indicate compromise on mikvaot. Netanyahu promises to help 'quietly.' Women of the Wall break their promisesIn negotiations on new Reform Kotel prayer space Women of Wall promised AG not to smuggle in Torah scrolls - today they were at it again. Cabinet discusses Kotel arrangements - 46 years ago1970 account shows Labor Ministers opposed Kotel partition even then. Archaeologists: Kotel plan 'will cause sorrow for generations'Archaeologists warn that government's plan to modify Kotel plaza would hurt Israel's cultural heritage, strategic assets. Array of rabbis on Kotel: Don't act without Chief RabbinateElders' Forum of National Religious Rabbis publishes statement on dividing Kotel, asking gov not to take unilateral steps. Netanyahu remains committed to changes in KotelPrime Minister reiterates commitment to a decision to create a new prayer space for Reform and Conservative Jews at the Kotel.Demonstrators to Religion Minister: Don't give in to ReformDozens gather outside of Religious Affairs Minister David Azoulai's house with signs reading 'One Kotel - One People,' 'No to Reform money.' Chief Rabbinate criticizes Kotel RabbiChief Rabbinate Council implicitly criticizes Rabbi Rabinowitz for promoting the government’s outlined division of Kotel. Ex-Prime Minister's ruling on Kotel authorityIn discussion over authority transfer for new Reform prayer space, Chief Rabbi brings Levy Eshkol's words from after the Six Day War. 'Coalition should have collapsed on Reform Kotel'Ex-Minister Yishai slams haredi and religious parties for not saying 'no' to new prayer space, calls Reform 'disappearing Judaism.' Historic letter by leading rabbis forbids Kotel divisionIn light of new Reform prayer space, letter from top rabbis in early 1970s published, revealing fierce opposition to division into sections. Non-Orthodox prayerWhat is the impact of the decision to allow egalitarian services at the Western Wall on Jewish tradition? Will the Palestinians thwart Reform Kotel plaza?PA religious leadership strongly condemns planned new non-Orthodox prayer section at 'Muslim site,' calling it breach of international law. MK Ariel: Reform prayer at Kotel an attack on 'Jewish tradition'Ahead of cabinet vote on allowing egalitarian prayer services at Kotel, Uri Ariel says initiative will only spur 'conflict and division.' Jewish Home divided on Reform prayer at KotelUri Ariel blasts change to 'status quo' at Kotel while Bennett and Shaked appear primed to vote in favor of proposal to allow Reform prayer. |
