| Hi everyone and after the holidays, healthy and well to everyone., |
| We assume that, like us, you are returning to a "routine" that is not routine and is not stable, and most of all we want to remind all of us to take a deep breath and hold hands (from a distance and while following the rules) in the hope that in a few months we will be able to return to conducting ourselves in the world as before and a little differently... |
| We are happy and moved by all the warm words that were spoken and sent to us following the prayers and meetings. Starting with the Shabbat Kabbalah broadcast in the summer and through the Elul Beit Midrash, Rosh Hashanah prayers, musical Selichot Eve, Yom Kippur prayers, Shabbat Kabbalah for the holiday of Sukkot and musical laps. The knowledge that despite the distance and staying at home, we were able to study and pray together, to sing, to strengthen the spirit, and to bring the spirit of an Israeli house of prayer to our hearts and homes fills our hearts with goodness. We would like to thank everyone who wrote to us and of course everyone who was with us throughout the various days and events on Zoom and Facebook. |
| And what now? Last week, we moved the offices of an Israeli prayer house to the non-profit complex operating at the Arena in Herzliya, courtesy of the Peace Corps, who invited us to be part of the father of non-profits, at least until Corona passes. Many thanks to our chairman Ronen Keller for the connection. Our Beit Midrash, led by Dr. Rani Yager, will open at the end of the month and will focus on Hasidic readings from this week's Parasha. The Beit Midrash will be held every Monday at 7:00 PM on Zoom and we hope that over time we will be able to meet again face to face. An announcement and a link to register will be sent in the coming days. |
| The musical Shabbat receptions and community and educational gatherings will be held on Zoom and Facebook Live. Of course, we will update here every week what is happening when and on which platform. Noam Pink and Nimrod are preparing the ground for a traveling group that will go on tours throughout Tel Aviv - Jaffa, guided by Noam himself (of course, in accordance with the instructions). As part of the tours, we will travel and learn together. Thanks in advance to Noam for the wonderful initiative! |
| The Bar and Bat Mitzvah group and ceremonies are held once every two months under the guidance of Rabbi Esteban Gottfried and Rabbi Benny Minitz. The ceremonies are led by Esteban, Rani and Benny and are accompanied musically by the wonderful Athaliah Lavie and additional members of the Israeli Prayer House Ensemble at the request of the family. |
| We have resumed the activities of the Israeli Prayer House Mutual Aid Fund and we thank everyone who donated to the fund and invite you to continue donating to the fund so that we can support those who need support these days and in general. A link to donate is at the bottom of the page. |
| In keeping with the spirit of the times, we are building the plan for the upcoming quarter and the upcoming year of activity and are asking you to take part and offer suggestions for study sessions and community activities (online and offline). Nimrod Bejarno, our community coordinator, and Limor Huizlich, the chair of the community committee, are waiting to hear from you. |
| To conclude the update, we invite you, new and old friends, partners and supporters, to become partners in the journey and renew your partnership fees in an Israeli house of prayer. Partnering in the journey in an Israeli house of prayer is a decision of profound significance. On a personal level, it is a supportive declaration – I am part! On a public level, it constitutes active support for open and connected Israeli Jewry, for our work and for our ability to reach the general public in the public sphere, which, especially in times of Corona, allows us to meet the general public from across the country. |
| With a greeting of Shabbat Shalom Esteban, Rani, Nimrod and Sharon |
