The Samaritans are always a source of fascination, mainly because they have not succumbed to modernity in their observance of biblical laws and traditions. Yet for all that, they are quite modern in their everyday lives.
To help audiences to better understand the Samaritans as they exist today, Yad Ben-Zvi will screen Community Mountain Torah, a film about contemporary Samaritans, in the Ben-Zvi auditorium on Wednesday, February 25, at 7 p.m. At least two Samaritan community members will be in attendance.
There are no exact figures for the number of Samaritans living in Israel. The estimate is around 900 community members. They are considered to be the most ancient minority in the country; the majority live in Holon.
When they pray, they go to Mount Gerizim near Nablus. Although they practice many Jewish customs and observe Jewish holidays, they are not Jewish, and if they want to marry someone who is, they have to convert.
The leader of the Samaritan community, Aabed-El ben Asher ben Matzliach, is also the high priest.
Pediatric Nephrology and Urology Center at Hadassah hospital
The pediatric nephrology and urology departments at Hadassah Medical Center have joined forces to create the Pediatric Nephrology and Urology Center at Hadassah, Ein Kerem. The center, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Israel, was recently inaugurated.
The center is jointly headed by Dr. Oded Volovelsky, director of the pediatric nephrology unit at Hadassah, and Dr. Guy Hidas, the director of the pediatric urology unit.
The new center, which is located in the Mother and Child wing on the Hadassah, Ein Kerem, campus, allows for simultaneous treatment of nephrological and urological problems.
Jeff Seidel’s Purim and pre-Purim events
Many Jewish students who come to Israel, especially those who come to Jerusalem, at one time or another find their way to Jeff Seidel’s Student Information Center in the Old City.
Every year, Seidel, in addition to his daily activities, hosts a huge Purim party for students. This year, he is also hosting a special pre-Purim event in Tel Aviv for disabled soldiers. There will be live entertainment, sushi, cocktails, mask-making for the soldiers, and a costume contest.
Purim is a time of unity and appreciation, and this special party for disabled soldiers enables students to show their appreciation and give back to those who have given so much for the nation. Details: 058-466-7795; WhatsApp: +972-58-466-7795.
Conversation on Israel’s key challenges
Events in English are held quite frequently at the Begin Heritage Center. Coming up on March 6 is a conversation between veteran journalist Haviv Rettig Gur and Jonathan Silver, the programming officer of Tikvah, the editor of Mosaic, and the host of the Tikvah Podcast.
Rettig Gur, who is the Middle East analyst for The Free Press and hosts the Ask Haviv Anything podcast, was, early in his career a reporter for The Jerusalem Post.
The two men will discuss the most pressing questions confronting Israel today, such as Israel’s role in postwar Gaza, the situation vis-à-vis and in Iran, the rapidly evolving dynamic of the US-Israel relationship, internal tensions which are escalating over the haredi draft law, as well as other political, strategic, and cultural issues shaping Israel in 2026.
Whether in the actual discussion or the Q&A session afterward, there is bound to be reference to a state commission of inquiry into the flaws that led to the Oct. 7 ongoing nightmare; the interference by US President Donald Trump in Israel’s internal affairs; and perhaps even whether ministers who are in violation of the law and are destroying the structure of Israel’s democracy should be permitted to remain in office.
The one-hour program at the Begin Heritage Center (6 Nahon St.) will begin at 10 a.m. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.
Colel Chabad’s new community hub
Colel Chabad is one of the country’s most veteran continuously operating charitable organizations. Established in 1788 by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement for the purpose of helping the poor in the Holy Land, its activities grew in tandem with the growth of the population and the increase of needy families.
In the not too distant future, with the construction of the Flacks Tower and Center close to the Mahaneh Yehuda market, the center will be the new home of the Pantry Packers program, which welcomes volunteers from around the world who assist in the packaging and distribution of dry goods to needy families and individuals throughout the country.
Construction of this 10-story project was launched last week. When completed, it promises to be one of Jerusalem’s main hubs for innovative volunteerism and charitable programming.
In addition to Pantry Packers, the center will house apartments for lone soldiers; a soup kitchen to ensure that impoverished local residents do not go hungry; a center for creative expression for individuals with disabilities; and classrooms and other facilities for educational programming. A welcome pavilion will pay homage to the neighborhood’s rich history with the organization, and will showcase the global and communal nature of Colel Chabad’s philanthropic efforts through an archival display of contributions and projects since the organization’s founding.
Special attention is being paid by the center’s architects to respect the historical feel and integrity of the site, while providing ultramodern facilities.
The project, which is expected to open in two years, has been made possible through an $8 million gift from Michael and Debbie Flacks of Miami and will provide a centralized facility for Colel Chabad’s expanding activities in Jerusalem.
“Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish people. There is no greater place to build this center for tzedakah, benefiting the people of Israel in so many ways for decades to come,” said Rabbi Zalman Duchman of Colel Chabad. “We are deeply thankful to the Flacks family and all those who continue to make this development possible.”
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