The Tanya, written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad, is the most sacred book of hassidic philosophy among members of the Chabad movement. Chabad has become such a permanent and influential fixture in Jewish life that it is difficult to believe that it has been in existence for less than 250 years.
This week, Chabadniks around the world marked the Jewish calendar anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Schneur Zalman, who died on December 27, 1812. One of the commemorative events for the “Ba’al Hatanya,” as he is generally called, took place in Nachlaot, under the auspices of Chabad of Rehavia and Nachlaot.
Participating in the event were former hostage Eitan Mor, who used to live in Nachlaot, and Itzik Gvilli, the father of Ran Gvilli, the last Israeli hostage in Gaza, whose remains have not yet been brought back to Israel for burial.
The event was held at the Tiferet Menachem Chabad Synagogue in Barashi Street, with plenty of copies of the Tanya available, followed by homilies and the singing of Chabad melodies, in what is known as a traditional Chabad farbrengen, Yiddish for “get-together.” The spirit of such events is usually aided by a couple of shots of vodka.
Move to relocate pubs and bars from Jerusalem city center
Prior to October 2023, there was a move afoot to relocate pubs and bars away from the city center, as they were close to religious neighborhoods such as Romema, Mea She’arim and Geula, as well as from the Mahane Yehuda area, where there are several yeshivas. But judging by the noise and the crowd in and around Machane Yehuda on Thursday nights, that effort failed.
However, some bars and pubs have closed in other areas that had resonated with Jerusalem’s nightlife, such as Heleni Hamalka Street, or they moved elsewhere due to construction projects. The municipal council, with its many ultra-Orthodox members, was not sympathetic to the needs of the secular residents of the city. In response, the non-religious residents started a crowdfunding campaign, enabling them to purchase three bars, which are currently owned by 550 shareholders.
The venture started with a group of young men who did the rounds of the city’s bars and pubs. They discovered that Leon Schwartz was closing three of his bars, not because his business was unprofitable, but because after 15 years, he had enough of the business. To prevent the closure, the young men decided to raise money by selling shares, and attracted people by publicizing their initiative on social media platforms. Soon, they had the funds necessary to acquire the three establishments.
Saving bars this way may become a trend, since many young, secular residents of the city will see it as a status symbol to say they own shares in a bar. Much of the nightlife that was part of Emek Refaim Street, before work began on the light rail, has moved to Aza Road, which now boasts a stretch of super-trendy wine-and-dine options that suit a variety of tastes and budgets.
International Holocaust Day
Emunah Jerusalem will hold its annual Toby Willig Memorial Program on Tuesday, January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, at the home of Rena Quint, 15 Graetz St., on the seam of Talbiyeh and the German Colony.
Quint, one of the best-known and most articulate Holocaust survivors in Jerusalem’s English-speaking community, will be interviewed by well-known journalist Steve Linde. While their conversation will center on the Holocaust and latter-day antisemitism, it will include references to Willig, whom both Quint and Linde knew well.
Before she made her home in Israel, Willig was the national president of Emunah in the US, and remained an ardent Emunah activist and executive member during her years in Israel. Knowledgeable and always curious about issues affecting the Jewish world, she was a familiar figure at lectures and conferences on Jewish issues, and also conducted similar events for Emunah.
She was an avid writer of Letters to the Editor, and also expressed her opinions to editors and journalists. She would telephone Linde frequently when he was a news editor at Israel Radio, and later when he was the editor of The Jerusalem Post and subsequently the editor of the Jerusalem Report. She was also a frequent guest at Quint’s home, and telephoned her friend almost daily.
Doors open at 12:45 p.m.; the event begins at 1:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Admission is NIS 40. Buses 91, 77, or 77A stop nearby. Space is limited, so reservations are required; the deadline to book is January 23. To reserve, call Marlene at 054-625-8500.
Main Chamber of synagogue dedicated in Memory of Shmuel Dove
Also on Tuesday, January 27, the main chamber in the Hazvi Yisrael Synagogue will be dedicated in memory of Shmuel (Stuar) Dove, in appreciation of his contribution and dedication to the congregation. The main synagogue area will then be known as Heichal Shmuel. The dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. at 14 Hovevei Zion St., Talbiyeh.
Role of Diaspora investments in Israeli academia
Israel must really do more to acknowledge the role of Diaspora philanthropists who support Israel’s development, particularly in the fields of academic research, health, and social welfare. A recent example is the Paulson Family Foundation, which has announced an additional $19 million donation to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This is in addition to the foundation’s previous donation of $27 million.
This gift will be used for expansion of a state-of-the-art research and teaching complex at the university’s Givat Ram Edmond J. Safra campus, which will be dedicated to STEM disciplines critical to the country’s hi-tech future. The combined gifts amount to one of the largest donations ever received by the Hebrew University, and represent a significant investment in Israeli higher education and innovation.
“Israel has stunned the world with its technological innovations. These gifts are intended to provide much-needed support for educating the next generation of technological leaders in computer science and engineering,” said John Paulson, founder and chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation.
Hebrew University President Tamir Shaefer will meet with Paulson this month in Florida to personally thank him for his generosity and vision.
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