Women’s Rosh Chodesh Gatherings 5785
L’ilui Nishmat Virginia Rives Tranbarger November 6, 2024 / Cheshvan Speaker: Rabbanit Anne Gordon Audio recording of Rabbanit Anne Gordon Anne has spent many years learning and teaching Torah in women’s institutions of learning in Jerusalem and the US. She is currently the Deputy Ops & Blogs editor at The Times of Israel. She also co-hosts the daily podcast, Talking Talmud, on daf yomi, and the biweekly Chochmat [...]
Ashkelon Emergency Guide
Ashkelon Emergency Guide!!! This is the Ashkelon Emergency Guide. If you live in Ashkelon, we suggest you print it. You might need it if the situation deteriorates. Please note, in the original English and Hebrew guides, the amount of water to be stored is incorrect. It should be 4 liters, per person, per day. With thanks to Debbie, Alison, Marina and an Iriya that understood the importance of providing information to Anglo residents of Ashkelon! [...]
Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Ashkelon 2024
Tikkun Leil Shavuot 2024 - a Night of Learning What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot? The practice of staying up all Shavuot night to study Torah – known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot ("Rectification for Shavuot Night") – is based on a Midrash that the night before the Israelites were supposed to receive the Torah, they went to sleep early so they would be well-rested for the momentous day ahead. As luck [...]
A Rabbinic Guide on How to Celebrate Purim 5784/2024 in Light of the Matzav
Purim must be celebrated Be-Simchah – Bechol Shanah Ve-Shanah. Part of Haman’s goal – and that of Hamas today – is to erase our unique nature and our Yomim Tovim. (See Megillah 13b and Targum Sheini to Esther 3:8). We must celebrate with the appropriate joy and thanks to Hashem for saving us Bayamim Haheim and Bizman Hazaeh. That being said, the “over the top” celebration – which often includes heavy drinking, extensive costumes [...]
Jewish Values Shiur 2024
Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel will be teaching a class in Jewish Values in the Parsha at the Central Synagogue of Afridar. The class is held on Tuesday at 7:30 PM. Each week we cover a new topic, independent of the others. The class is meant for men and women and is taught in English. Light refreshments are served. Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel currently works with Rabbi Berel Wein and the Destiny Foundation as [...]
Join Sar-El Ashkelon
Sar-El volunteers contribute to the security of the State of Israel by assisting on IDF bases in a logistical support role. Ashkelon Sar-El volunteers take on routine logistical support tasks normally assigned to active duty soldiers and reservists. Our volunteers are highly flexible, serving everywhere they are needed around the country. In addition to helping the IDF, the Sar-El program is a morale booster and motivator for the soldiers. At the same time, volunteers learn [...]
A Post by Evyatar Nevo, an Officer in the IDF
This is a post by Evyatar Nevo, an officer in the IDF. He is currently stationed outside of Gaza. I do not cry. Never ever. I did not cry at my wedding, I did not cry when Noga was born, I did not even cry when Bruce Willis pushed Ben Affleck into the elevator and stayed to blow up the asteroid and save earth. OK, I almost cried then. It was just at the [...]
A Tale of Two Hospitals
Hamas rockets destroyed Barzilai’s child development center. Days later, Palestinain Islamic Jihad rockets struck al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.
War Journal From Ashkelon
By Stephen Epstein Day 27 — Thursday, November 2, 2023 This morning, a minibus stopped in front of a building in Ashkelon and picked up 13 volunteers. We were joining other Sar-El volunteers on an army base near Be'er Sheva. Our task was simple. We were instructed to place packages of nuts, pretzels, energy bars (two of each type), candy and gum into a plastic bag. There were about [...]
Hoping for the Best, Planning for the Worst
THIS PAGE IS BEING UPDATED AS WE GET NEW INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS FROM READERS We do not know how long this war will go on nor if the Northern front will expand into a full-fledged war. There is a lot of uncertainty in a situation like this and we tend to forget that the things we take for granted might not be there for us when we need it. You may not be able [...]
Ashkelon Municipal Elections Chug Bayit
Municipal elections will be held on October 31, 2023 all across the country. We want to hear from candidates about what their plans are for Ashkelon. The first Chug Bayit is being held in English with with Tamar Keidar, candidate for Mayor of Ashkelon. More will follow. Date: Sunday, 8 October Time: 7:30 pm Where: At the home of Leah and Akiva Powers 4 Yefe Nof, Apt 40, 8th floor. Please come with your [...]
Free Parking for Ashkelon Seniors
Yes, there is free parking for Ashkelon seniors! You must apply for a virtual tag in order to use it. In order to get the tag, you must be of retirement age. For men, it is 67 and for women, the age changes depending on when you were born. Visit https://retiringinisrael.com/retirement-age-in-israel/ for details. Follow these steps to apply via email: Download and fill out the form found here: https://www.ashkelon.muni.il/Documents/דוברות%202018/טופס%20בקשה%20למתן%20תו%20חניה%20לאזרח%20ותיק.pdf In an email, send the [...]