Page 29 - HaMizrachi Tisha B'av 5782 USA
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tirelessly to limit their children’s
exposure to the internet and other less
desirable influences.
Rabbi Myers talks about various
initiatives over the years that have
aimed to bridge the gap between
the Religious Zionist and Charedi
communities in RBS. Years ago, an
achdut (unity) group put out a yearly
pamphlet consisting of divrei Torah from
rabbis of both communities. Rabbis
from one camp would invite rabbis
from the other community to speak A Ramat Beit Shemesh Chanukah celebration at an army base. (PHOTO: COURTESY)
in their shul. On Shabbat Chanukah,
hundreds of people would attend a him and in his upbringing and wanted jackets to the soldiers and throw a huge
Friday night tisch with rabbis from to experience it himself. Chanukah barbecue for them.
both communities sitting at the dais. Similarly, Chaim was told from day Socially, there is also some mixing
Before the COVID pandemic, a group one by his secular commander not between the communities. A popular
of 15 rabbis from both communities, to expect any special treatment as a local summer day camp provides
Israelis included, would meet every few religious soldier. Approximately six wholesome fun for campers from
weeks to discuss how to bridge the gap months later, his commander called across the religious spectrum, while
between the various communities in him from a bakery. He was planning a new housing project is populated by
RBS. a birthday party for a soldier in the Chassidim, Charedim, Religious Zionist
RBS resident Rabbi Karmi Gross took unit and wanted to make sure that and secular Jews, all living together
note of the growing population of the cake he bought had a hechsher that in peace.
people who identify as Charedi but Chaim would be comfortable with. In RBS, you will find people who stand
want to play a larger role in Israeli The commander also assured him firmly in their box as well as others
society and established Beit Midrash that since the cake was dairy, he had who choose to lead more nuanced lives,
Derech Chaim, Israel’s first Charedi requested that the soldiers not eat meat each choosing the path that works for
hesder yeshivah. The students learn beforehand. One soldier at a time, the them. I feel very fortunate to live in
Torah for 6–7 hours a day and then Derech Chaim boys are bridging the such a beautiful community in our
study computers at a university level divide. wonderful Land, where every type of
at night. Derech Chaim’s students Yom HaAtzmaut is a day when Jew can feel at home.
graduate with a degree in Computer the shades of gray in RBS are also
Science, specializing in cyber visible. Some families who identify
technology, and then serve for two as Charedi host barbecues and may 1. Chardal, an acronym of Charedi Leumi, refers to
years in tech units in the IDF. The even have Israeli flags hanging from Religious Zionist communities that also incline
boys enter the army with the mission their balconies. Others will daven in a towards many aspects of Charedi ideology.
of being mekadesh shem shamayim different minyan than usual in order
(sanctifying G-d’s name) and hoping to to recite Hallel on that day. Some
serve as a bridge between the various Charedi shuls say a prayer for the
camps by maintaining “boundaries but safety of the IDF and learn in memory
not walls”. A mother of one of the boys of fallen soldiers on Yom HaZikaron. Suzie Steinberg is a social worker living in
was once surprised to receive a phone For years, on every Chanukah before Ramat Beit Shemesh. She writes for many
call from her son’s secular commander the pandemic, an American Charedi newspapers and magazines and recently
asking to spend Shabbat in their home. would charter buses for members of published a children’s book titled “Hashem
After working with her son for two the community to visit Israeli army is Always With Me”.
years, he saw something very special in bases, where he would distribute fleece (PHOTO: BRIANSPECTOR.COM)
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