Page 52 - Hamizrachi #30 USA 2021 Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Shani Hikind

Our Love Affair With Jerusalem

ur love affair with David, to embrace their long lost love thriving Jewish communities that were
Yerushalayim began more and kiss the stones of the generations. destroyed by the Arab pogroms and
than 3,800 years ago when From “Next Year” to “This Year,” from coordinated efforts of Arab leaders
G-d beckoned Avraham division to unification, from sadness to before 1967. A chance encounter with
Oto leave his birthplace joy, the Jewish people have come home. an Arab middleman in a taxi outside
and travel to a far away land. In the Ateret Cohanim was born from this the Jaffa Gate led to the reacquisition,
city that was to be named Jerusalem union and it is our mission to help all 100% legal, of more than 19 buildings
and on the mountaintop of Moriah, complete the redemption process in the Old City and Ir David. As these
where he succeeded in demonstrating in those areas that have yet to be buildings were restored and families
his ultimate attachment to G-d and the returned to our people. with children moved in, additional
religion that was to be named Judaism, When the paratroopers entered social and recreational needs became
the connection and bond between the Old City in 1967 and wept at the necessary.
his descendants has been eternal and Western Wall, they found the once The American Friends of Ateret
unshaken. Countless conquerors have heavily populated area devoid of Jewish Cohanim was formed soon after to help
attempted to sever that connection, life. Missing were the 21 synagogues, fund the projects that centered around
powerful nations have tried to destroy 6 graduate level Yeshivot and the the educational, social recreational and
the bond, ruthless warriors have even hustle and bustle of Jewish life. On the security needs of the families living in
tried to change its name, but yet, doorposts of the homes were empty these areas and to insure the inalienable
through all these trials, Jerusalem crevices that once held mezuzot. right for Jews to live anywhere in peace
and the Jewish people have remained Jewish street names were changed as and security in and around the Old City
united. In the happiest of times and in the goal of the Arab occupiers was of Jerusalem.
the darkest of moments, “Next Year to make Jerusalem “judenrein.” The Due to these efforts and achievements,
in Jerusalem” was emblazoned on the Temple Mount and the areas directly there is once again a growing Jewish
lips and minds of the Jewish Nation. It surrounding Mount Moriah were called presence in the Old City near the
is part of their DNA. No wonder the the Muslim, Christian and Armenian Flowers Gate and Damascus Gate. This
enemies of the Jews have attempted Quarters (note it takes 4 to make growth has spurred other growth around
every method to erase the connection. quarters). The Old City was bereft of its the Temple Mount area with a thriving
Glorious moments in the redemption Jewish identity. Jewish neighborhood on the Mount of
process have been witnessed and After a number of failed attempts to Olives called Maaleh HaZeitim with
experienced in our time. The miracles get mainstream Jewish organizations over 100 families, 35 families live in the
of the rebirth of the modern state of to help in the restoration of Jewish life Shiloach (Silwan), and there is a growing
Israel in 1948 and the subsequent in the Old City, a young, post yeshiva, community in Kidmat Zion (Abu Dis),
reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 are idealistic veteran of the Israel Defense with 11 Jewish families.
the realization of more than 2000 years Forces, Matityahu HaCohen Dan, This revival of Jewish life in these
of dreaming. Our own eyes have seen established Ateret Cohanim during the neighborhoods is referred to as the
a Six-Day War when our backs were to Festival of Chanukah in 1977 (Kislev “Shield of Jerusalem.“
the sea ultimately to be exchanged by 5738). His aim and the mission of Ateret We are back home, but a lot of
opening the floodgates of Jewish return Cohanim was to fulfill a generations work needs to be done. Slowly but
from the “four corners of the earth.” old dream of rebuilding & securing surely, we are returning to all parts of
Our people were drawn to the ancient a United Jerusalem, to strengthen its “Our Jerusalem.” Just as the JNF has
walls of the city of Avraham, the City of Jewish roots and reestablish the once reclaimed land over the years throughout

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