Israeli Figures Mark High Holidays with Religious and Public Events
As the High Holidays approach, various Israeli public figures and organizations have been engaged in a series of events. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attended a gathering at the Golan Heights Hesder Yeshiva, where he spoke about the weekly Torah portion and the connection between personal repentance and the redemption of the people of Israel. Meanwhile, journalist Hani Rich hosted a summer party for the wives of reservists, who gathered for a pool party in Lod.
The Ministry of the Negev and Galilee honored ministry employees who served in the reserves during the war, including Yonatan Gottlieb, advisor to Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, who served hundreds of days. At the Braude Academic College of Engineering in Karmiel, an event was held with Rabbi Eyal Greiner, head of the Nativ Tefahot Hesder Yeshiva, who spoke about the significance of the shofar. Elisha Yared, a "Hilltop Youth" activist, and his wife Noa welcomed a baby daughter.
The Torah and Ha'aretz Institute announced leadership changes, with agronomist Yehuda Heller succeeding Dr. Moti Shimron as head of the scientific department after Shimron's 40 years of service. Rabbi Meir Bareli was appointed head of the Halachic department, and Rabbi Yitzhak Dvir will manage content and information. The institute also celebrated the 70th birthday of its head, Rabbi Yehuda Amichai, presenting him with a book of his responsa on the Sabbatical year.
Uri Zaki, chairman of the Meretz party's management, visited his daughter's school to demonstrate the shofar's ritual sounding. The Knesset Caucus for the Haredi and Religious Woman held a gathering at "Hamala," a shelter for at-risk young women. In Jerusalem, the "Shomer Yisrael" association honored Deputy Mayor Arieh King for his support of housing for Haredi soldiers.
Senior Religious Zionist rabbis met with Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai to discuss issues concerning religiously observant soldiers and a perceived growing trust crisis with the IDF. Rabbi Tzvi Tau visited the Noam party headquarters to encourage activists. Ben Karsu, an advocacy activist, was invited by JNF-USA to a 9/11 memorial ceremony where U.S. Ambassador Mike Hammer praised his work. Shimon Arbel, an associate of Smotrich, was appointed deputy director of foreign relations for the Bnei Akiva Yeshivot Center. Students and alumni of the Tzfat Hesder Yeshiva visited the Temple Mount. Itamar Galinsky, who was severely injured in Lebanon nearly two years ago, has returned to reserve duty.
