Organized by prominent Beit El supporters Eugen and Jean Gluck of New York, the group of all ages included visitors from around the United States and elsewhere, as well as residents of Israel.
The visitors were treated to the music of the well-known Hassidic singer and long-time Beit El resident Akiva Margaliot; two pieces by the renowned cantor Mendel Weinbach; and greetings by Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin. A descendant of the famous Rivlin family whose ties to the Land of Israel date back 200 years ago when the students of the Vilna Gaon arrived here, he spoke of the historic importance of the Biblical site of Beit El. Rivlin then added, "The man [PM Sharon] who just yesterday led us in settling the hilltops, is now attempting, Heaven forbid, to empty out a portion of the Land from its Jews - following which, our enemy will settle it."
Rivlin bemoaned the fact that his own Likud Party, "the nationalist movement founded by Ze'ev Jabotinsky," would initiate such a move - "without even receiving anything in return! ... And let us not deceive ourselves: The enemy wants everything, and will not rest until he receives Jerusalem, and all the way up to the sea." He had warm words of praise for Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh), the Glucks, and for Beit El in general, whose growth from 17 families to close to 1,000 he noted with deep admiration. "Beit El is an educational powerhouse," Rivlin said, "with dozens of nurseries, schools, Talmud Torahs, high schools, a pre-military academy, a post-high school yeshiva - and more on the way."
Beit El resident MK Rabbi Benny Elon also addressed the visitors, drawing appreciative applause when he said,
"This holiday of Sukkot, which the Bible calls the 'Time of our Joy,' teaches us that we can control our thoughts and emotions, and remain happy even when it's difficult. We must always remember that G-d promised us that we would return to this Land, and no one - not even a Jewish Prime Minister - can prevent this!" He emphasized that we must speak the language of faith and Torah - "and for those who wonder how we can do so in the world of realpolitik, the answer is that this is the only language that will work, both here and in the United States, and that if we don't speak this language, we are liable, Heaven forbid, to lose everything." Elon's peace plan can be seen here.
The visitors were treated to the music of the well-known Hassidic singer and long-time Beit El resident Akiva Margaliot; two pieces by the renowned cantor Mendel Weinbach; and greetings by Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin. A descendant of the famous Rivlin family whose ties to the Land of Israel date back 200 years ago when the students of the Vilna Gaon arrived here, he spoke of the historic importance of the Biblical site of Beit El. Rivlin then added, "The man [PM Sharon] who just yesterday led us in settling the hilltops, is now attempting, Heaven forbid, to empty out a portion of the Land from its Jews - following which, our enemy will settle it."
Rivlin bemoaned the fact that his own Likud Party, "the nationalist movement founded by Ze'ev Jabotinsky," would initiate such a move - "without even receiving anything in return! ... And let us not deceive ourselves: The enemy wants everything, and will not rest until he receives Jerusalem, and all the way up to the sea." He had warm words of praise for Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh), the Glucks, and for Beit El in general, whose growth from 17 families to close to 1,000 he noted with deep admiration. "Beit El is an educational powerhouse," Rivlin said, "with dozens of nurseries, schools, Talmud Torahs, high schools, a pre-military academy, a post-high school yeshiva - and more on the way."
Beit El resident MK Rabbi Benny Elon also addressed the visitors, drawing appreciative applause when he said,
"This holiday of Sukkot, which the Bible calls the 'Time of our Joy,' teaches us that we can control our thoughts and emotions, and remain happy even when it's difficult. We must always remember that G-d promised us that we would return to this Land, and no one - not even a Jewish Prime Minister - can prevent this!" He emphasized that we must speak the language of faith and Torah - "and for those who wonder how we can do so in the world of realpolitik, the answer is that this is the only language that will work, both here and in the United States, and that if we don't speak this language, we are liable, Heaven forbid, to lose everything." Elon's peace plan can be seen here.