Jewish Event Calendar

The fast days meant for mourning the destruction of the Temple will be cancelled in the days of the Messiah and become days of celebration and joy. "So said the Lord of Hosts: The fast of the fourth (month), the fast of the fifth (month), the fast of the seventh (month, and the fast of the tenth (month) shall be for the house of Judah for joy and happiness and for happy holidays - but love truth and peace" (Zechariah 8)

Tens of thousands of people came to the Western Wall everyday during Hanukkah, and especially during the daily main events of lighting the Menorah.

Like in previous years, Chanukah candles will be lit every night at the Western Wall Plaza, the site closest to where the Chanukah miracle took place. The candles will be lit in a magnificent menorah generously.
The bronze menorah is over 2 meters high and two meters wide, weighs one ton, and took about seven months to create.
The Chanukah candles will be lit with olive oil using special weather-proof utensils allowing the menorah to remain lit throughout the night. The menorah will be placed on a new and lit stage.
Chanukah candle-lighting will take place every evening of Chanukah at 4:00pm on Rabbi Getz Sinagogue, at 4:30 pm on Beit Shtraus Roof and at 4:40pm on The Western Wall Plaza. On Saturday night at 7:00 pm, and on Friday at 3:30 pm.

Date

First night, Sunday 24 Kislev (22/12/2019)

Second night, Monday 25 Kislev (23/12/2019)

Third night, Tuesday 26 Kislev (24/12/2019)

Fourth night, Wednesday 27 Kislev (25/12/2019)

Fifth night, Thursday, 28 Kislev (26/12/2019)

Sixth night, Friday, 29 Kislev (27/12/2019)

Seventh night, Saturday night 30 Kislev (28/12/2019)

Eighth night, Sunday 1 Tevet (29/12/2019)

 With the help of Ezer Mizion and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the dream became a reality, despite the long trip from the north and their complicated health.
Together with them, we shed more than a few tears of excitement.

The president-elect of Guatemala, Mr. Alejandro Giammettei, arrived at the Western Wall this morning (Sunday) prior to taking office as president of Guatemala.
He was greeted by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav.
Rabbi Rabinowitz recited chapter 121 of Psalms with the President-elect and blessed him with the prayer of King Solomon that all his prayers and those of his country be fulfilled.
Mr. Giammettei was very moved by the visit and placed a note between the stones of the Western Wall. He requested to watch the worshippers and see how the Jews pray at the Western Wall. The Director of the Foundation told him about Jewish heritage and history and about Jewish yearning for Jerusalem throughout the generations.
The President-elect said that “Whoever loves Israel, G-d loves him”, and that he hopes the embassy will remain in Jerusalem. He completed the visit by stating that he “asks G-d for blessings for Israel and Guatemala so that together, we can live in peace, justice, and development”.
Enclosed photos, credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation

One hundred paratroopers and their families in a reunion of soldiers who liberated the Western Wall and waved the Israeli flag in the Six Day War.

Here are several facts you might not know about Sigd:
 The festival.of Sigd takes place every year on the 29th of Cheshvan, exactly 50 days after Yom Kippur.
The source of the holiday is a custom established by Ezra and Nehemiah during the days of the Return to Zion.
 Sigd focuses on community, yearning for Jerusalem, and renewal of the covenant with G-d.
It is customary on Sigd to make peace, and break down walls or separations between people.
In Ethiopia, the holiday was marked by a mass ascension to a high mountain from which they looked in the direction of Jerusalem. In Israel, many members of the community gather in Armon Hanatziv in Jerusalem.