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Category: Holidays

Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Sabbaths and holidays

The Israeli Sukkah – a giant sukkah at the Tel Aviv Port

The Israeli Sukkah

Tel Aviv Port 6-14.10.2025

Celebrating Sukkot with nine days of culture, spirit, music and creativity of Israeli Judaism

For the Sukkah website and program

The large Sukkah at the Tel Aviv Port is back!

The Israeli Sukkah

Celebrating Sukkot with nine days of culture, spirit, music and creativity of Israeli Judaism

""And there will be room for everyone""

14-6.10 Tel Aviv Port, Central Deck

 

Yahaduta - A forum of Israeli Judaism organizations in Tel Aviv, together with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, the Tel Aviv Port and Atarim Company, and led by an Beit Tefilah israeli invite the general public to celebrate the holiday with a variety of events and activities in the "Israeli Sukkah" - a giant 600 square meter Sukkah that will be erected on the main deck and will be open to the general public. With the aim of creating an open and collaborative space for Jewish-Israeli creativity.

The Sukkah will open on Sunday, October 6th, with a musical celebration of Sukkot, followed by a holiday meal open to all.

Jewish-Israeli Music Festival in the Great Sukkah at the Port: A tribute show to Matti Caspi, a singing circle with musicians from Sderot, an evening of appreciation and the presentation of the creative award to the artist Leah Shabat, a performance of piyyutim by A song will bloom and her band, Noga's guys – Jazz orchestra with 14 musicians, Shimon Parnas and Matti Sari On a Mediterranean evening, Shabbat pleasure with Israeli House of Prayer Ensemble The host Dorit Reuveni, Tribute evening toHasidic Singer Festival, ", the song of many""World Song|, A flock of three birds, youth bands and more.

In addition, every day there will be Children's plays, workshops and performances for the whole family From 10:30 this morning until 5:00 p.m. Yoga in the Sukkah Every weekday at 9:30, ""Academy in the Sukkah"" – The best lecturers in history and Jewish studies will give talks on fascinating topics that concern us all.

Beyond that, you will find in the Sukkah a Rabbi discussing Judaism and democracy, the Israeli Sabbath, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and secularism, with and among the best intellectuals. Dr. Jeremy Fogel, Dov Elbaum, Dr. Ariel Picard, Dr. Tomer Persico, Roni Alon, Rakefet Ginsburg And more.

And of course, Equal Simchat Torah laps The happiest in the city!, both on the eve of the holiday (13.10) and on the second laps (14.10).

The walls of the sukkah will be decorated with the works of Artist Rafi Peretz, who did a good job of portraying Tel Aviv as an open, colorful, pluralistic, and optimistic city like the Tel Avivians themselves.

According to Noah Efron, a member of the city council, "Tel Aviv-Yafo is a city where Judaism flourishes, where there is room for everyone; where tradition is naturally intertwined with innovation; where creativity is celebrated, and the public square vibrates with music and art; where there are no barriers between ancient and new, between women and men, between straight and LGBT; where each and every one is welcomed and appreciated for who they are. The Yehuda Sukkah is a perfect example of the new Tel Aviv Judaism, which is taking shape before our eyes.".

Yahaduta - Forum of Israeli Jewish Organizations in Tel Aviv, an association of organizations and communities operating in Tel Aviv, including Bina, an Israeli prayer house, Alma, the "Anu" Museum, the Koret Center, the Hadar Institute, Beit Daniel, Bat Kol and a long list of other organizations and communities that have joined together to pour content and meaning into the beautiful autumn holiday!

 

We are waiting for you in the Israeli Sukkah!

To the Sukkah site
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Sabbaths and holidays

Singing Selichot – An Israeli prayer house hosts Shir Yifrach

Singing prayers

Singing prayers
Israeli house of prayer hosts Shir Yifrach

We invite you to a musical Selichot evening in preparation for the holidays, and this time we will host the bard Shir Yifrach. An evening full of singing, prayer and togetherness, seeking to find solace in the Selichot poems, and in ancient and new melodies. Ancient piyyutim alongside contemporary Tishrei songs. With the ensemble of an Israeli prayer house led by Athaliah Lavie (singing), Esteban Gottfried (singing and conducting), Oral Oshrat (piano), Ziv Greenberg (bass), Amir Israel (oud/violin/singing) and Dor Biran (drums). Guest bard Shir Yifrach.
Please note: The event will take place at the "Magid" Community Center - Nordau 63 Tel Aviv on Thursday, September 18 at 8:00 PM. Admission is free with advance registration. https://btfila.vp4.me/slichot25
WhatsApp Image 2025-09-08 at 16.50.35_1dd8e398

Tradition and innovation in one word

In a delicate and special musical journey, we will combine Jewish tradition and contemporary creation, between the old and the new, between the Jewish and the Israeli, and invite for ourselves the opportunity to open our hearts, listen, process feelings and emotions, reflect, release and forgive – for ourselves and others. The evening will combine traditional piyyutim from the house of Abba / such as: Adon Hasleichot, Achot Katana, El Nura Alila, and contemporary Selichot songs: Selichot, At Talchi Bisade, as well as legends and sages' midrash that correspond with the spirit of the evening.

The musical ensemble of an Israeli prayer house combines traditions from the East and the West, and this time we are proud to host the young bard A song will bloom, which together with Athaliah Lavie, The house singer of an Israeli prayer house and the poet and oud player Amir Israel, Together we manage to create an Israeli Selichot evening, as authentic and up-to-date as possible.

From the show's songs (extended list):

Bless us, the soul is yours, I will gather, let us not ask, the Lord of forgiveness, little sister, forgiveness, it is time to forgive, choose right, answer us, forgiveness, the sounds of silence, return home, our supplications will rise, brokenhearted, our guilt/love, our father is our king, God is a terrible plot, indeed, O Lord, hear your father, open a gate for us, remember us for life, next year, go to me my desire, wings of the wind, Jewish autumn, man, why do you sleep. and more.

With the musical ensemble of an Israeli prayer house led by Rabbi Esteban Gottfried and singer and cantor Athaliah Lavie. There will be more surprises!
 
Join us every week, hundreds of participants, men, women, adults and children, families and also guests from abroad. The events will take place every Friday starting July 4th, at 6:00 PM. It is recommended to arrive early.
 Admission is free, subject to availability. 
To register
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Israeli Jewry in the public sphere, Music

My Love - An evening of love songs for the 15th of Av in Givatayim

Who loved my soul

An evening of love songs for Tu B'Av

We are excited to meet tomorrow for an evening full of love! 🩷

Who loved my soul
An evening of love songs for Tu B'Av
Thursday, 7.8.2025, 19:30 – 21:00

In honor of Tu B'Av, let's meet to sing together
Love songs from the originals and favorite songs from the Hebrew singer. We will combine past and present, personal and communal, Jewish and Israeli.

We will sing songs that tell of first loves, longing and nostalgia. We will celebrate the
And the day of love in a musical, deep and heart-filling way.

The evening is led by Esteban Gottfried, Athaliah Lavie and accompanied by the Israeli Prayer House Ensemble. .

Admission is free with pre-registration: https://did.li/TuBeAvBRG

📍 Beit Rishonim Square, Gordon 24, Givatayim

To register, click here.

Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Sabbaths and holidays

Oh what we had – ancient pain meets a broken heart

Tisha B'Av - Megillah reading and discussion at the Ano Museum

""Oh, what we had" – Ancient pain meets a broken heart

Reading of the Scroll of Lamentations and discussion about ancient pain, broken hearts, and hope throughout the museum. 

On the eve of Tisha B'Av, the most significant commemoration of the Holocaust in the Hebrew calendar – we want to draw threads of memory, sadness, commemoration, and hope from the history of the Jewish people. 

We chose to hold the Tisha B'Av Eve at the Ano Museum - the Museum of the Jewish People - out of a desire to stay in a space of memory of the past that continues to tell the story of our people, which is constantly renewing itself. 

This is an evening of connection to our history, whose tears are renewed even today. 

The evening will be divided into a visit to 4 exhibitions in the museum, with each exhibition having an observation and a short lesson by one of the evening's speakers - each of the visitors will participate in 2 of the 4 tour-lessons. 

We will conclude the evening with a plenary session to formally summarize and reflect on the evening, laments, and shared singing with the participation of the lecturers, the musicians of the prayer house, and the audience. . 

Tonight's program: 

20:30 – Doors open 

21:00 – Round 1 

21:30 – Round 2 

My Heart is Beating: On Destruction, Responsibility, and Comfort | Chapter 1'

            Dr. Ruth Calderon

            Codex Gallery, 1st floor

 

            Poetry and creativity in the wake of 7/10 | Chapter 2'

            Rabbi Dr. Rani Yager

            The October Seven Exhibition, 1st Floor

 

            Why do I need a temple now? | Chapter 3'

            Dr. Jeremy Fogel

            Jewish Travels, 2nd floor

 

            He who is not angry does not love. | Chapter 4'

            Rotem Cohen Kahlon

            "Hallelujah" Gallery, 1st floor

 

22:15 Talk and lamentation – About ancient pains, broken hearts and hope

Led by Rabbi Esteban Gottfried and with the participation of Dr. Ruth Calderon, Rabbi Dr. Rani Yager, Dr. Jeremy Fogel and Rotem Cohen Kahlon

Vocals: Athaliah Lavie, Carmel Nitzan. Piano: Moran Maysles

   Bnei Zion Auditorium, entrance floor

23:00 – End of the evening 

The museum will remain open until midnight. 

The entrance  For a symbolic cost of 20 NIS. 

Entrance to campus through Gate 4. Parking on campus upon presentation of event code 1302953. 

To register and pay, click on the link.

To register
To register
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Community, Sabbaths and holidays

Celebrating Shavuot with an Israeli house of prayer in Rishon LeZion

Celebrating Shavuot in Rishon LeZion

Celebrating Shavuot at the Cultural Center in Rishon LeZion

Welcoming the holiday together! A musical performance centered around the songs of the holiday and its values, firsts – the giving of the Torah, the Book of Ruth, and more. 

You are welcome to come. . Join us for a magical and uplifting community experience with  The musical ensemble of "Israeli Prayer House""

05/28/25 at 5:00 PM

Auditorium of the Culture Hall, Rishon LeZion.

For orders 03-9537000

Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays

Time to Build – Before the Shavuot Tikkun 5785

Time to build
Before the Shavuot correction, 5785

Time to build

Before the 2015 Shevets Amendment in an Israeli House of Prayer

To register

Time to build

Shavuot is the holiday of Matan Torah. The time of year when we receive the Torah anew and take responsibility for it. What is our Torah this year? What are the mitzvot that the situation in the country commands us to commit to? This year we will dedicate the Tikun to conversation and lectures on the social Torah that is being handed down to us this year. We will host Iris Chaim, the mother of the late Yotam Chaim, in conversation with Rabbi Esteban Gottfried, and we will study with Rabbi Tamar Elad Appelbaum, Dr. Nachman Shai, Zeev Dagni, and Michal Beinisch.
 
Together we will welcome the holiday with singing, prayer, and learning about the repairs that it is our turn to install.
 
 
When? Thursday 29.5.25 between 19:00-22:00
 
where?
Beit Shalom Aleichem, Berkowitz 2 Tel Aviv.
 
Admission is free, subject to availability. Register here!
 
 
Tonight's schedule:
 
19:00 – Gathering
19:15 – Musical opening – with Athaliah Lavie and Shani Stern
19:30 – "Where do we start building" – with Dr. Nachman Shai and Dr. Zeev Dagani – Moderator: Esteban Gottfried
20:30 – "Building Bridges" on the healing needed for Israeli society at this time" with Ikis Haim and Harba Tamar Elad Applebaum.
21:30 – "Here We Build" – about the green floor project in the Gaza Strip. A discussion between Michal Beinisch and Ronen Keller.

Participants

Dr. Nachman Shai

Former Minister of Diaspora Affairs and IDF Spokesperson.
Dean of Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem

Rabbi Esteban Gottfried

Rabbi, Co-Founder and CEO of an Israeli House of Prayer

Iris Haim

Palliative care specialist, resident of the Western Negev. Mother of the kidnapped soldier Yotam Haim, late

Michal Beinisch

Founder of Grain, member of the board of directors of the Civilian Labor Organization, one of the leaders of Brothers and Sisters in Arms and the "Green Floors" rehabilitation project in Gaza City.

Dr. Zeev Degani

Principal of Herzliya Gymnasium, Tel Aviv

Many Tamar Elad Appelbaum

Head of Zion Community, founder of the Israeli Rabbinate program

Ronen Koehler

Organizational consultant, leader of Brothers in Arms, chairman of an Israeli prayer house
and the leadership of the Scouts in Tel Aviv

And Atalia Lavie and the musical ensemble of an Israeli prayer house

With Matthias Schulman and Shani Stern

To register for the Shavuot pre-Tikkun
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays

Difference between Memorial Day and Independence Day 5785

Havdalah
A ceremony of transition between Memorial Day and Independence Day

A time to weep and a time to build

Havdalah - a ceremony of transition between Memorial Day and Independence Day

To register
A time to cry and a time to heal
 
 
Difficult days are passing us by, and the moment of transition between the day of mourning and the day of joy is especially difficult. This is a uniquely Israeli trait, which found expression in the Havdalah – a time to weep and a time to heal. This year, the transition is even more difficult and the current context undermines many of the sentences that make sense throughout the holiday.
 

However, this moment calls for fulfillment, for words, and for togetherness.

About two decades ago, a small group of people who founded the Israeli house of prayer in Tel Aviv It came together to try to provide a response to the ritual need that the juxtaposition of these days invites us to. The proposal received was to dwell precisely on this gap of time, between mourning and joy, and fill it with a ceremony that combines Jewish and Israeli materials and form. A ceremony of Havdalah. A Havdalah between Memorial Day and Independence Day.
The Havdala between Remembrance Day and Independence Day is built from ancient and new, traditional and contemporary creative materials. Through poetry, prayer excerpts, hymns, reflections and Israeli songs, we succeed in creating a gradual emotional transition between the polar states of mourning and joy, and observe the human ability to move between changing states of mind using different layers of the Hebrew language, with the ceremony centered on a free variation of the Havdala blessing between Shabbat and weekdays, adapted to the unique transition between the sanctity of Remembrance Day and the sanctity of Independence Day.

This year, more than ever, we are asked to spend this moment together. An Israeli prayer house invites the general public to a shared Havdalah with Israeli music, prayer songs, and solace for the soul.

 
The Havdalah will take place on Wednesday, April 30th, we will meet at: 6:00 PM > It is recommended to arrive early.
Event location: Beit Shalom Aleichem – Berkovich 2, Tel Aviv
 
Admission is free, subject to availability. Register here!
 

To register for the Havdalah ceremony, fill out the form.

You can download the Havdalah Order 5785 here

To download the Havdalah arrangement
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Study

Gathering for Holocaust Remembrance Day 1975

Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering

Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering

5785

2015 Gathering

Music and prayer are two universal languages that express the depths of the soul and spirit. Both connect us to each other, to nature, and to something greater than ourselves. What is it about music that enables a meaningful prayer experience? What is the place of sacred and profane in synagogue music? And what is the role of the piyyutim?

Holocaust Remembrance Day gathering
From lament to hope
5785
 
Holocaust Remembrance Day Eve, 23.4.25 at 8:00 PM
In the "Bafnocho" space – 9 Itamar Ben Avi St., Tel Aviv
 
As every year, we will gather together to remember with hospitality out of the responsibility to remember. For a meaningful, personal and communal ceremony, we will hear testimony, and we will turn mourning into hope. 
 
The event takes place in the space at 9 Itamar Ben Avi St., Tel Aviv. (The new home of the Israeli Prayer House offices). On Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Admission is free with advance registration.

 

To register, fill out the form.
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays, Study

Therefore we have gathered.

Therefore we have gathered.

Therefore we have gathered.

Reading the Declaration of Independence - Study Circles - Falafel and Beer

Amit Ullman's performance

Opening remarks: Iris Haim

Therefore we have gathered.

 
Therefore we have gathered.
Changing Trends – The Scroll is Here to Stay
Tuesday 22.4.25 19:00-22:30
Beit Shalom Aleichem, Berkowitz 2 Tel Aviv
 
 

In a year of external war and internal divisions, we would like to return to a moment of diverse voices and broad consensus and come together around the most important text in the history of Zionism – the Declaration of Independence.

Tonight's schedule:

19:00-19:30 Gathering, falafel and beer
19:30-20:30 Opening remarks by Iris Haim and ceremonial reading of the Declaration of Independence
20:45-21:30 Study circles in collaboration with the Koret Center (Ano Museum), Bina, Daniel Centers, Israeli Prayer House, Daniel Community, Chavruta and Mamoua
21:30-22:15 Performance by Amit Ullman

The event will take place at Beit Shalom Aleichem, Berkowitz 2, Tel Aviv.

What will we talk about? The study circles will take place simultaneously and you will be able to choose which one to join.

* From Independence to Reality: From the Vision of the State to the End of a Constitutional and Social Crisis
Would we be able to reach agreements today that define the state?
Led by Ruth Amino – former content director of Beit Ha'atzmaut and Rabbi Benny Minich – Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism.

* Under the Bloody Attack | A Compass of Values and Hope in a Time of War
We will study the paragraph of the charter that discusses the fighting events that began even before the Declaration of Independence and what compass of values and hopes the signers adhered to despite the situation.
Led by Dr. Moshe Weinstock, research fellow at the Hartman Institute, and Dr. Rani Yager, an Israeli house of prayer.

* A State in Reserves | On the Resounding Call of the Declaration of Independence From the Beginning to the Present Day
Moti Pasal (Mboa), a reserve officer, and Ayla Dekel (Bina), the wife of a reservist, have gone through a personal and family upheaval in the past year and a half, with the reserves at its core. Between the front and the rear, between tours, the Declaration of Independence continued to resonate in their minds and hearts. Now, they invite you to an open conversation about the place of the Declaration of Independence at the heart of our Israeli story.

* “To be a free people in our country” | “Back to the Past” game”
Let's return to the fateful meeting where the content of the Declaration of Independence was determined. We will try, through a game, to return to those moments and understand who the people who drafted the Declaration of Independence were, what dilemmas they faced, and how they reached compromises and agreements. Led by Noam Baram, Koret Center for Jewish Civilization.

* “It will maintain complete social and political equality for all its citizens, regardless of religion, race, or gender” | On the conflicts in 2025 On religion, LGBTQ, and the state Religion and pride – tolerance and inclusion
An open discussion on the conflicts of religion and LGBTQ from places of faith, legislation, and establishing a home in Israel. Hosted by the Hevrota organization.

To register
Beit Tefilah Israeli, Holidays

Purim in an Israeli house of prayer

Purim in an Israeli house of prayer

Reading of the Megillah with musical accompaniment and a poetry circle to boost morale

Purim in an Israeli house of prayer

A reading of the Megillah with musical accompaniment for the whole family and a singing circle to boost morale!
On Friday, March 13, 25, at 6:00 PM

In an Israeli house of prayer, 2 Berkowitz Street, Tel Aviv.

Come dressed up! Admission is free with advance registration.