Among those at the Presidential residence are a group of 30 parents of IDF soldiers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (the Former Soviet Union) who are without family in Israel. The soldiers have not seen their parents for a long time and the emotional meeting, which for the soldiers is a surprise, is taking place at the President's residence. Bringing the parents to Israel was made possible by a contribution of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews headed by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.
Hundreds of young people from around the world who recently immigrated to Israel within the framework of Jewish Agency programs, and single olim (immigrants) serving in the IDF, will celebrate the upcoming Passover seder with veteran Israelis in the framework of "Together at the Seder".
Among the people who volunteered this year to host new immigrants at their family seder are: Chairman of the Jewish Agency Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Jewish Agency Aliyah and Absorption Committee Arieh Azoulay, Education Minister Limor Livnat, Deputy Minister Michael Ratzon, Member of Knesset Shaul Yahalom, MK Eitan Cabel, MK Arieh Eldad, MK Inbal Gavrieli, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, Netanya Mayor Miriam Feierberg and many leading public and business figures.
Meanwhile, in Hevron, the preparations for receiving the thousands of Jews expected to visit the holy city over the Passover holiday are being completed at this time. This year, Hevron spokespeople report, the preparations are unprecedented, both in terms of catering to the comfort of the guests and in terms of security arrangements. In honor of the holiday, Yitzchak Hall, the largest and most elaborate of halls in the Machela Cave complex, will be open to Jewish visitors for two days (and closed to Muslims, as per security arrangements), allowing as many pilgrims as possible a chance to enter the complex without a lengthy wait. In addition, visitors will enjoy meals, tours of the ancient and renewed city, and klezmer music over chol hamoed.
A Hevron spokesperson noted, "Passover is the birthday of our forefather Yitzchak, and therefore, it is expected that his descendants would come to celebrate with [the forefathers and foremothers buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs] and make them joyous on the holiday…." For more information, call (in Israel) 1-800-400-456.
Hundreds of young people from around the world who recently immigrated to Israel within the framework of Jewish Agency programs, and single olim (immigrants) serving in the IDF, will celebrate the upcoming Passover seder with veteran Israelis in the framework of "Together at the Seder".
Among the people who volunteered this year to host new immigrants at their family seder are: Chairman of the Jewish Agency Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Jewish Agency Aliyah and Absorption Committee Arieh Azoulay, Education Minister Limor Livnat, Deputy Minister Michael Ratzon, Member of Knesset Shaul Yahalom, MK Eitan Cabel, MK Arieh Eldad, MK Inbal Gavrieli, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, Netanya Mayor Miriam Feierberg and many leading public and business figures.
Meanwhile, in Hevron, the preparations for receiving the thousands of Jews expected to visit the holy city over the Passover holiday are being completed at this time. This year, Hevron spokespeople report, the preparations are unprecedented, both in terms of catering to the comfort of the guests and in terms of security arrangements. In honor of the holiday, Yitzchak Hall, the largest and most elaborate of halls in the Machela Cave complex, will be open to Jewish visitors for two days (and closed to Muslims, as per security arrangements), allowing as many pilgrims as possible a chance to enter the complex without a lengthy wait. In addition, visitors will enjoy meals, tours of the ancient and renewed city, and klezmer music over chol hamoed.
A Hevron spokesperson noted, "Passover is the birthday of our forefather Yitzchak, and therefore, it is expected that his descendants would come to celebrate with [the forefathers and foremothers buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs] and make them joyous on the holiday…." For more information, call (in Israel) 1-800-400-456.