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 two-front 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 [...]
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 [...]
Shopping in Ashkelon
You moved to Ashkelon and someone on the Anglo Community WhatsApp group tells you to pick it up at Silver or you can find it at Giron. Consider this page as your "primer" on where to find the major stores and shopping areas. This is an ongoing project of listing popular shopping places in Ashkelon. If you find yourself at a location that does not already have a Waze link, please take a minute [...]
Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Ashkelon 2023
Tikkun Leil Shavuot - a Multifaceted Night of Learning in Ashkelon This year's annual Tikkun Leil Shavuot features multiple shiurim in three different venues. We are highlighting the English-language shiurim that will be given this year on Shavuot. 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 [...]
How to Help your Pets Through a Rocket Attack
Pets are important members of your family. Here are some suggestions we hope you will find helpful to get through sirens and rockets: Common sense and sensitivity: Seek shelter if you are outside. Do not walk your dog or remain in an open space like the beach. Even if sirens have not sounded in your neighborhood, dogs can develop phobic responses to the sound of a nearby explosion (fireworks or rockets alike), so [...]