Jewish Event Calendar

Closing somewhat of a circle, Dr. David M. Wilson came to the Western Wall today and, for the first time in his life, saw Wilson's Arch, discovered by his great grandfather's brother.
He stood in awe and wonder looking at its tremendous size.
Watch what he had to say, and share!

This morning (Monday), members of the management of the Argentinian national football team came to the Western Wall. The delegation was led by President of the Argentine Football Association Claudio Tapia who said "Despite last week's sensitive security situation, we decided to come. It is an honor to pray at the central place of the Jewish nation and the entire world. Next time we will stay longer and come with everyone to learn more about this holy site."
The delegation was met by Rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav who recited Psalms with them. The management members even placed notes between the Western Wall stones.

With a wellspring of emotion, the girls from the Ulpena in Modiin came straight to the Kotel from their journey to Poland.

the crane situated in the plaza will be dismantled today between 3 pm and 3 am. For safety reasons, the upper plaza will be closed, and therefore, the entrances to the Western Wall plaza will be closed for short intermittent periods of time. The adjacent parking lot will be closed as well. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers will be available to assist visitors and will do all they can to minimize any disturbance to worshipers and visitors.

Mr. Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to United States President Donald Trump, came with Mr. Avrahm Berkowitz Deputy Assistant to the President and US Ambassador to Israel Mr. David Friedman to pray at the Western Wall during his visit to Israel.
They were greeted by the rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and by the director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mr. Mordechai (Suli) Eliav.

 Ivanka Trump shared her husband's visit to the Western Wall

Following the completion of the Western Wall Heritage Center frame, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Israel Antiquities Authority, has begun work on connecting the Roman Cardo road exposed over a decade ago at the Western Wall Heritage Center with the findings uncovered under Strauss House in the Western Wall Tunnels.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is continuing to develop the Western Wall Plaza for the benefit of the visitors coming to the Western Wall.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation ushers are there to serve the public and do all they can to minimize any disturbance to worshippers and visitors.

Mi K’Amcha Yisrael

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites

The Talmud describes that even the Ruler of the Universe puts on His own tefillin. And the verse “וּמִי כְּעַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל גּוֹי אֶחָד בָּאָרֶץ” - And who is like Your people Israel, one nation in the world – is written in these tefillin. Rabbi Levy Yitzhak of Berditchev, of blessed memory, would quote the Talmud while standing to pray for Am Yisrael and plead to Hashem “A Jew who drops his tefillin, immediately picks them up, kisses them and strokes them. See that Your tefillin, Am Yisrael, are falling – will You not pick them up immediately, kiss them and stroke them?”

I am sure that Rabbi Levy of Berditchev envisioned the entire Jewish Nation standing together in prayer. And here, we have merited that two hundred years later we are living – not envisioning – the tens of thousands of Jewish People standing together in prayer. More than one million people came from all over the world to say Selichot at the Western Wall. Men and women, young and old - one nation in the world, as one man in one heart.

This picture, taken on the last night of Selichot, on the eve of Yom Kippur (credit: Yisrael Bardugo), speaks of a greater truth than thousands of words. This picture describes the true and deep connection between Am Yisrael and Hashem, together with His heritage and Holy City. I am placing this picture before the Divine, and pleading that which King Solomon did in his time: “That Your eyes may be open toward this house … to listen to the prayer.” See, Lord of the Universe, see Your sons and daughters, standing united at the Western Wall and calling out Your name with one heart. This is the true heartbeat of the Jewish People, and it is deeper than any fight or dispute. Forgive us, pardon us, and bless us with a good year.

Chag Sameach.