The year was 1967 and for the first time in 700
years the public had access to the ancient burial site of the Biblical
Matriarchs and Patriarchs. This year’s annual Passover music festival will celebrate
that historic moment in Jewish history. Appearances will be made by Israel’s two chief
rabbis, Members of Knesset, mayors, and popular musicians.
years the public had access to the ancient burial site of the Biblical
Matriarchs and Patriarchs. This year’s annual Passover music festival will celebrate
that historic moment in Jewish history. Appearances will be made by Israel’s two chief
rabbis, Members of Knesset, mayors, and popular musicians.
The celebration will be held on Monday April 25, 2016 at the Tomb of
Machpela plaza in Hebron starting at 3:00 PM. Organizers see this event
as landmarking the liberation of one of the oldest Jewish communities in the
world.
Machpela plaza in Hebron starting at 3:00 PM. Organizers see this event
as landmarking the liberation of one of the oldest Jewish communities in the
world.
Half a century later, Hebron has been transformed into a cultural and
historic center that attracts over 700,000 tourists each year. Sites such as
the Tomb of Jesse and
Ruth, the Avraham Avinu
Synagogue, Beit
Romano and other landmarks from the “Old Yishuv” have since been
refurbished and are now regular use and part of the permanent revived
community.
historic center that attracts over 700,000 tourists each year. Sites such as
the Tomb of Jesse and
Ruth, the Avraham Avinu
Synagogue, Beit
Romano and other landmarks from the “Old Yishuv” have since been
refurbished and are now regular use and part of the permanent revived
community.
The Tomb of
Machpela, arguably the oldest still-functioning structure from its
era. The founders of monotheism, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their respective
wives, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah, are buried in its underground double cave. The
walls of the Machpela complex were built by King Herod the Great using the same
techniques used to built the Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as evidence by
the “Herodian stone” style of bricks.
Machpela, arguably the oldest still-functioning structure from its
era. The founders of monotheism, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their respective
wives, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah, are buried in its underground double cave. The
walls of the Machpela complex were built by King Herod the Great using the same
techniques used to built the Western Wall and Temple Mount in Jerusalem, as evidence by
the “Herodian stone” style of bricks.
The site was restricted starting in 1267 by the Mamelukes and throughout
the Ottoman Empire and British Mandate periods. Only on rare occasions and with a
steep entry fee were Jewish visitors allowed in. The Jewish community was evicted
after the 1929
massacre and their property confiscated. After the 1948 War of
Independence, the city was completely cut off by the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan.
the Ottoman Empire and British Mandate periods. Only on rare occasions and with a
steep entry fee were Jewish visitors allowed in. The Jewish community was evicted
after the 1929
massacre and their property confiscated. After the 1948 War of
Independence, the city was completely cut off by the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan.
Today the Tomb of Machpela is accessible to people of all faiths because of
the events of 1967 and the continued dedication of the pioneering Jewish Community
of Hebron.
the events of 1967 and the continued dedication of the pioneering Jewish Community
of Hebron.
As in previous years, the highlight of the day will be the concert in which
popular artists from Israel and abroad will perform. In past years approximately
50,000 have visited over the Pesach holiday.
popular artists from Israel and abroad will perform. In past years approximately
50,000 have visited over the Pesach holiday.
Artists who have performed in Hebron in the past have included, Mordechai Ben
David, Sarit Hadad, Amir Benayoun, Shlomo Katz, the Kinderlach, Yonatan &
Aharon Razel and Yishai Ribo.
David, Sarit Hadad, Amir Benayoun, Shlomo Katz, the Kinderlach, Yonatan &
Aharon Razel and Yishai Ribo.
This year’s performers will be Haim Israel, Itzik Dadya, Udi Davidi,
Bini Landau, Uziah Tzadok, Gershon Freishtat, Pirchei Yerushalayim, and
more.
Bini Landau, Uziah Tzadok, Gershon Freishtat, Pirchei Yerushalayim, and
more.
The Tomb of Machpela will be open in its entirety, which happens only ten
times a year. This includes the Isaac and Rebecca Hall, the largest room in
the complex, with the entrance to the actual caves.
times a year. This includes the Isaac and Rebecca Hall, the largest room in
the complex, with the entrance to the actual caves.
Tours of historic sites in Hebron will be held as well as childrens activities, and
screenings of the new 4D movie about Hebron’s history entitled ‘Touching
Eternity’.
Call 02-996-5333 during Israel business hours or
1-800-400-456
1-800-400-456
Buses from all over Israel: https://www.2hebron.co.il/
Hebron Fund USA bus tour: https://hebronfund.org/tour
2016 is sure to be a memorable chol hamoed Passover, visit Hebron
for a once-in-a-lifetime event that will connect the past to the
future.
for a once-in-a-lifetime event that will connect the past to the
future.
For information on transportation and more:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
