50,000 Attend Selichot Prayers at Western Wall with Captivity Survivors Present
Approximately 50,000 people gathered last night (Thursday) at the Western Wall plaza for the second Selichot prayer event of the season. The ceremony featured survivors of captivity Bar Kupershtein and Agam Berger. The event was attended by key figures including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinovitch, CEO of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation Mordechai (Soli) Eliav, and IDF soldiers wounded physically and mentally.
During the prayers, Rabbi Rabinovitch and the large crowd prayed for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, as well as for unity and security in Israel. According to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, over 150,000 worshippers have participated in various Selichot events since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul.
The next major Selichot event is scheduled for Saturday night, the 9th of Elul (August 22), at 12:15 AM, and is expected to draw thousands more.
Summary: Around 50,000 people attended the second Selichot prayer event at the Western Wall, including captivity survivors and senior officials, with prayers for IDF soldiers and Israeli unity. Over 150,000 have participated in Selichot events this month, with the next major gathering planned for August 22.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
