The Jewish community of Hebron and the Hebron Fund are helping
support the efforts in Israel during the current crisis. Volunteers have been assisting
families and soldiers in a variety of ways including assisting those displaced,
emergency rescue and more.
support the efforts in Israel during the current crisis. Volunteers have been assisting
families and soldiers in a variety of ways including assisting those displaced,
emergency rescue and more.
Since the beginning of the conflict in October, donors to the Hebron Fund have helped
supply first responder kits, food supplies, cardiac defibrillators, communication
radios, cameras, special flashlights, dry-fit clothing and more.
To donate visit
https://hebronfund.givecloud.co/hebron-under-attack
In addition, there have been prayer gatherings and vigils at the Tomb of the Patriarchs
& Matriarchs (Cave of Machpela) led by influential leaders such as Rabbi Yaakov
Ades, Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli and others. Silver trumpets and shofars were blown as
traditionally done in times of distress.
Rabbanit Ronit Barash hosted a special program for female soldiers of the Israel Defense
Forces in Hebron. The program included a special prayer for those captured and missing
and the recovery of the wounded.
The annual Parshat Chayei Sarah weekend has been changed from a mass festive gathering
to modest in-synagogue programing in which participants can partake in their local
community or at home.
Parshat Chayei Sarah will take place this year on the Shabbat of November 10 – 11, 2023.
The weekly Torah portion describes Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpela for his
beloved wife Sarah. Normally tens of thousands visit Hebron during this time with large
group meals. This year, the focus will be on strengthening ties within the community and
expressing support and appreciation to the soldiers called up to protect
Israel.
A special website is being designed with games, videos, trivia, prayers and other
material that can be downloaded, printed and used in synagogues and schools. The free
material will be available at https://hebronfund.org/parsha-chayei-sarah/. Solidarity
wristbands are being distributed to Hebron Fund donors.
“Synagogues in Israel and around the world will stand with Hebron as we read about
Abraham’s historic land purchase and our eternal right to Eretz Yisrael,” stated Rabbi
Dan Rosenstein, executive director of the Hebron Fund. “We call upon you to say a
special prayer for the safety of our soldiers, the strengthening of the affected
families, the return of our hostages, and for Israel’s victory, by and invoking the
merit of our Forefathers and Mothers buried in holy Hebron,” he said.
Historically, Hebron and Gaza have been close major Jewish population centers
in the southern region. Rabbi Israel Najara, the famous poet and kabbalist lived in
Hebron until the 1619 epidemic drove most of the Jewish townspeople to Gaza for safety.
Rabbi Najara then became the Chief Rabbi of Gaza. In 1799 Napoleon’s invasion forced the
Jewish community of Gaza to relocate to Hebron.
in the southern region. Rabbi Israel Najara, the famous poet and kabbalist lived in
Hebron until the 1619 epidemic drove most of the Jewish townspeople to Gaza for safety.
Rabbi Najara then became the Chief Rabbi of Gaza. In 1799 Napoleon’s invasion forced the
Jewish community of Gaza to relocate to Hebron.
