Posted on 09/08/24
Jerusalem, Israel - Sept. 8, 2024 - With Rosh Chodesh Elul, Sefardim begin saying a month of daily selihos. This year at the Kotel large gatherings are planned, many more organized nights than in past years. The first two nights have seen thousands arrive and fill the Kotel Plaza for the middle of the night selihos.
On Thursday night, before going to the Kotel for selihos, Kesher Yehudi held a pre-selichot program for families of hostages at the Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem, Israel.
Previously, one event by Kesher Yehudi, brought secular and religious Israelis to the David Citadel Hotel for an “authentic Shabbat experience.” The Shabbaton included speakers discussing topics ranging from healing to the need for unity in Israel to spirituality.
Despite the diversity of attendees, the weekend was marked by a sense of community and mutual connection. Many had never before religiously experienced Shabbos. Many others were raised in a traditional home, and as with so many families in Israel, their relationship with religious Judaism is complicated. Despite the diversity of attendees, a sense of community and mutual connection marked the weekend and other programs.
The musical segments of the early Elul night time program included popular Israeli singers Akiva and Yonatan Razel joining for selichot-appropriate songs
Israeli journalist Sivan Rahav-Meir and Rebbetzen Yaffa Deri also offered words of inspiration to the audience, where families of hostages had reserved front-row seats.
The interactions between the secular and Charedi study partners are impressive. The smiles and hugs are genuine signs supporting Kesher Yehudi founder Tzili Schneider, “The media tells us we are separate, but we are not - we are one people.”
