In Jerusalem, Israel, on Rosh Chodesh Av,
thousands of people had a very early start to their day.
Arriving near the Kotel, the Western Wall Plaza at 7:00 am, this was the scene.
A group of young men,
and boys,
one woman with a whistle and one with signs
were protesting against the Women of the Wall’s Rosh Chodesh prayer service.
Not all the WOW were praying–
some were talking to the press, as there were plenty of cameras again.
The regular men’s section was not crowded,
Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Yitzhak Pindrus was there.
It was the women’s section that was full.
Women for the Wall had brought out thousands of religious women and girls.
They continued to pray silently, in stark contrast to the noisy protesters,
though there was not enough space for all of them
and the group extended well into the Western Wall Plaza.
While the Women of the Wall and Women for the Wall were the center of attention,
I liked these scenes.
At least a few of the security people found time to pray.
And in the middle of it all there was a Bar Mitzvah celebration.
Wonder if someone thought that with an early start it would be less crowded?
The Women of the Wall were not happy with their site and the police.
After their service had ended, and after singing Hatikvah,
the Women of Wall group continued singing before going to their buses.
There has been lots of chatter on Facebook about both groups,
with some good, some bad and some ugly comments.
The two sides do not seem to be getting closer
and many people do not want to hear or think about this conflict any more.
But I would really like to know,
what the Deputy Mayor was thinking at this moment?
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Love the shot of the security guards davening!
Thanks, not the stuff that the main stream media would even notice.
Happy to see so many women supporting prayer at the wall…now if we could only get the men who are supportive out in huge numbers…what are some of those other men and the woman with the whistle thinking…obviously not about prayer!
Maybe a new custom will come out of this mess? There was a loud speaker in the men’s section like on the holidays for the Priestly Blessing, so that there was one main prayer service that could be heard and followed instead of the usual balgan of lots of small ones that the woman cannot hear.
Why don’t you ask him? (The deputy mayor.)
If you know him please let me know what he says?
Excellent photos as usual. Why can’t the haredim live and let live!!
The only good thing one can say about all the haredi girls is that at least they were quiet, and did in fact appear to be davening- more than one can say for some of the haredi men who come out to protest.
Calling them “men” is being generous, they get younger and less everytime. It was a few haredi women who made the most noise and were not part of Women 4 Wall
Sharon, Once again thank you for bringing us the sights. Sorry I cld not locate my granddaughter among the multitudes. Since she has shown she can rise early she will no longer be excused from morning swim.Kidding aside , this is real proof of true devotion to our ancient heritage and its sacred values. Wonder what wld happen if the media didn’t show up.
W4W faced Har HaBayit and WOW faced the cameras…
The facts are made by those who pray at the Kotel all month long.
I was praying at a more ancient prayer site, that of the Mishkan at Tel Shiloh. It’s so much more peaceful there…
Still want to get to Shiloh one day!
it is absolutely unfathomable to me that any person who wants to pray to Hashem feels the urge to prevent another person from praying, in any way, shape or form. There are millions of Jews around the world who are so far from Yiddishkeit and billions of dollars being spent by frum, caring Kiruv organizations, Taglit-Birthright Israel and various individuals to bring them just a little closer to their Jewish roots so their kids stand a chance of growing up Jewish; There are over a million Jewish Israelis who claim they don’t care whether or not their kids marry a Jewish spouse, do not care to keep chometz out of their homes and public sphere on Pesach, are not interested in Shabbat observance or other religious rituals and what concerns Jews praying by the wall/for the wall are a dozen women who want to Daven??in an unconventional way??Really???
I have to tell you that I find this entire issue very upsetting. I support WoW and I support W4W. What I don’t support is the nasty disrespect that says there is only one way to be a Jew in this world. Yes there are specific “items” that delineate a Jew but beyond that it is merely human and an only male interpretation. While the powers that be lament how Jewish children are not brought up to care about the Jewish people, the issue should be that maybe it has something to do with the disrespect given to those that don’t practice a particular version of Judaism that alienates the young. Having gone from orthodox to conservative to reform to now completely unaffiliated I have found disrespect and condescension throughout the Jewish world towards the “other” Jews. People are entitled to pray the way that reaches their heart and brings them to hashem. It is not for someone else to tell you what you feel in your heart. I truly am tired of those lost in the 15th century telling me how I can pray, what I can do and not do as a woman and what I am allowed to feel or not feel towards my religion, my history and the Land of Israel. I am tired of the men who think they can spit on me because I do not wear their version of clothing.(yes that has happened to me in NY). Jews pray for the coming of the Messiah. Does it not dawn on all those praying that this disrespect for each other is what keeps him from our midsts.
Thank you for your well thought out and articulated comment. I think you expressed very well the majority opinion, certainly from what I have heard.
I am so sorry so many of you do not recognize torah she baal peh. Women have a role and men have a role and a cohen has a role and a levi has a role. A doctor does one thing and a lawyer does his thing. No man however much he wants equality can ever physically carry a baby to term and nurse it. The fact that am yisrael has different roles shows that we need unity to make o e complete unit called Am Yisrael. The style which we have practiced throughout the millenia is not dictated by males, but from Torah she Baal peh.
Well stated, especially during Av the goal of unity is so important.
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Shabbat Shalom u’Mevorach
May you and your dear ones enjoy a very blessed and peaceful Shabbat.
Loved the pictures of the security guards praying. From your pictures it does seem like everyone had a chance to express themselves properly.
I guess that might depend on what “express themselves properly” would be.
Thanks, did not realize how much larger women’s section was until I went there Tisha B’Av, guess was too busy watching the crowd.
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