The Jewish community of Hebron is celebrating 50 years since the
liberation of the ancient city with a star-studded gala event at the Tomb of the
Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
liberation of the ancient city with a star-studded gala event at the Tomb of the
Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
On Thursday, May 25, thousands of Israelis will join celebrity performers
Rami Kleinstein and Amir Benayoun for a ceremony, concert, and state-of-the-art light
show on the walls of the Tomb of Machpelah complex.
Rami Kleinstein and Amir Benayoun for a ceremony, concert, and state-of-the-art light
show on the walls of the Tomb of Machpelah complex.
Also attending the event will be Education Minister Naftali Bennett, Deputy
Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, and other ministers and Knesset
members.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, and other ministers and Knesset
members.
Israel National News will be broadcasting the event live, complete with
English narration by Yishai Fleisher, the international spokesman of the Jewish
Community of Hebron starting at 1:00PM US eastern time / 8:00pm Israel
time.
English narration by Yishai Fleisher, the international spokesman of the Jewish
Community of Hebron starting at 1:00PM US eastern time / 8:00pm Israel
time.
A simultaneous broadcast with Hebrew commentary will take place as
well.
well.
Hebron was liberated the day after Jerusalem, and joins Jerusalem and the
communities of Judea, Samaria, and the Golan in celebrating 50 years since their
liberation in the Six Day War.
communities of Judea, Samaria, and the Golan in celebrating 50 years since their
liberation in the Six Day War.
Rabbi Shlomo Goren, then-Chief Rabbi of the Israel Defense Forces and later
Chief Rabbi of Israel, wrote in his autobiography that one day after the dramatic
liberation of Jerusalem, he decided to venture to Hebron.
Chief Rabbi of Israel, wrote in his autobiography that one day after the dramatic
liberation of Jerusalem, he decided to venture to Hebron.
Thinking he was going to catch up with the IDF, he and an army driver arrived
alone in a jeep to discover the city streets empty. White flags hung from balconies as
the population anticipated a fierce conquest and revenge for the Hebron massacre of
1929.
alone in a jeep to discover the city streets empty. White flags hung from balconies as
the population anticipated a fierce conquest and revenge for the Hebron massacre of
1929.
In honor of the event, the Hebron Fund has also issued special commemorative
coins for the event. The 50th anniversary Hebron Citizen Medallion depicts Rabbi Shlomo
Goren superimposed over an Israeli flag, above an image of the Cave of Machpelah. The
back of the coin features the number 50 with the logo of the Jewish Community of
Hebron.
coins for the event. The 50th anniversary Hebron Citizen Medallion depicts Rabbi Shlomo
Goren superimposed over an Israeli flag, above an image of the Cave of Machpelah. The
back of the coin features the number 50 with the logo of the Jewish Community of
Hebron.
The bronze, silver and gold medallions are a project of the Hebron Fund and
the Jewish Community of Hebron with only 1,000 of each of each one being
minted.
the Jewish Community of Hebron with only 1,000 of each of each one being
minted.
Thousands are expected to attend a commemoration ceremony and concert
honoring veterans of the Six Day War and the pioneers who braved the return to Hebron to
reestablish the ancient neighborhoods.
honoring veterans of the Six Day War and the pioneers who braved the return to Hebron to
reestablish the ancient neighborhoods.
Tours of the city will take place throughout the day.
“50 years ago this week the Cave of Machpelah was in territory ruled by
Jordan,” Hebron Fund Executive Director Rabbi Dan Rosenstein said. “Before that Jews
were officially barred from entering the Machpelah for 700 years starting in 1267 with
the Mamelukes.”
Jordan,” Hebron Fund Executive Director Rabbi Dan Rosenstein said. “Before that Jews
were officially barred from entering the Machpelah for 700 years starting in 1267 with
the Mamelukes.”
“It’s awe inspiring to see Jewish life flourish again in Hebron, to return to
Jewish children to the fathers and mothers, and to be a part of Hebron Day celebrations
today.”
Jewish children to the fathers and mothers, and to be a part of Hebron Day celebrations
today.”
The Honorary Citizen Medallion is being offered by the Hebron Fund and can be obtained
by clicking here:
https://hebronfund.org/support/honorary-citizen
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
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