Rosh Hashanah 5781

At least fifteen hundred worshippers attended our Beit Midrash of the holy Breslov community 'Shuvu Banim', on Ido HaNavi Street in Jerusalem, for the sacred prayers of Rosh Hashanah. Students and supporters of our teacher, the esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, came from all over the country after the gates of the holy gathering in Uman were closed. In the prayer hall, the atmosphere of kedushah (holiness) that Breslov chassidim are accustomed to at the large gathering in the kloiz in Uman was felt. However, without a doubt, the highlight of the Rosh Hashanah days was the moving gathering opposite Tzalmon Prison.

Already about a month prior, efforts began to organize a large and respectable minyan opposite Tzalmon Prison, with Rabbi Aharon Schwartz taking the initiative and the complex organization of the prayer and lodging area upon his shoulders. Unfortunately, the prison authorities chose an upsetting and inappropriate step and transferred Rav Berland shlit"a to Ayalon, all to exhaust his loyal students who follow him through fire and water. Once again, a vast organization effort began, and Rav Berland's students continued to arrive in droves to be in their rabbi's presence even in Ayalon.

This greatly troubled the decision-makers, and shortly after he was transferred to Ayalon, Rav Berland was returned to Tzalmon. "The truth is, I almost broke," Rabbi Aharon Schwartz confessed to us. "To transfer all the equipment from the center of the country to the north each time anew, within a short period, was not simple. I told myself, maybe we should all gather in Jerusalem for prayer in the prayer hall, but my heart cried out that we must have a minyan near our teacher Rav Berland." Indeed, everyone who finally merited to arrive at the sacred gathering opposite Tzalmon Prison felt a great elevation.

Within a very short period of two to three days, a wonderful area for sleeping and prayer was prepared right opposite Tzalmon Prison. Separate prayer tents according to all health ministry guidelines with a wide women's section. Sleeping tents with mattresses and synthetic grass for the comfort of those staying there. Large tents for holding the holiday meals, including a large cooling room and, of course, air conditioners.

Many others preferred to lodge in the guesthouses in the nearby village of Kalanit, or in caravans set up on the outskirts of the area. Indeed, with great self-sacrifice, several hundred arrived at the sacred gathering in Tzalmon, right opposite the location of our teacher, the esteemed Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

Among the other public emissaries who served in holiness, we mention Rabbi Nachman Fuchs, who ascended on both days for the Mussaf prayer of Rosh Hashanah. Rabbi Nachman Menachem ascended for the Mincha prayer of Erev Rosh Hashanah, as well as Rabbi Naftali Bazanson and Rabbi Grant.

The one who blew the shofar on the second day of Rosh Hashanah was Rabbi Aryeh Cooperman, alongside whom stood the prompter Rabbi Nachman Menachem.

There was a great atmosphere of elevation in the place. True, it was hot, and despite all the efforts of Aharon Schwartz and all the volunteers and those involved in the work, the short preparation time did not allow for completely optimal conditions. Nevertheless, the self-sacrifice of those traveling north for the sacred minyan, along with the tireless effort of Rabbi Schwartz, brought about a wonderful atmosphere of kedushah throughout the Rosh Hashanah days.

It should be noted that students of the rabbi came to the sacred minyan from all over the country, of course from Jerusalem, but also from the center of the country, Bnei Brak, Shoham, etc. Even from Miami, there were a number of students who came to Tzalmon.

Photo Gallery from the Preparations and the Conclusion of the Rosh Hashanah Days

Additional photos from the last Selichot of the year 5780 - Night of Remember the Covenant