Category: Jewish Communities

Rab Abraham Yosef SHLITA visits Ceuta

Jewish Communities

On May 15th, the Jewish Comunity of Ceuta had the pleasure of receiving the visit of Rab Abraham Yosef SHLITA, son of well known Rab Ovadia Yosef ZTL.

Rab Abraham Yosef, was the Cief Rabbi of the city of Jolon in Israel, and is the brother of the actual Rishon Letsion, Rab Yitzjak Yosef SHLITA. He is member of Torah Rabbanim Board of Israel, and he also has a Radio Program in Kol Chay Station about different Halachic questions.

In the visit, they were also with hime Rab Arye Goldberd, General Director of European Rabbinical Centre, Rab Yosef Benhaker, subdirector of teh same Centre and Rab Abraham Aba Tortsky, General Secretary of European Rabbinical Board.

They were received by the Ceuta Jewish Comunity Borad President, Mr.José Bentolila, and rest of members, and they davened Shachrit, had a wonderful breakfast with the rest of the Community.

The visitors went also to see the Jewish Cemetery and they were finally received by the President and Major of Ceuta, Mr.Juan Vivas Lara.

UK Rebbetzens visit Barcelona and Girona

Jewish Communities

Jroots and JewishSegovia.com (Asher Bentolila) organized last Sunday and Monday (May 5th and 6th) the visit of 40 rebbetzens from UK who came to know more about the Jewish History in Barcelona and Girona (Catalonia, Spain).

It was delicious to guide them across the Jewish Quarter of Barcelona with the support of Raphy Garson (Jroots Educator) and Dominique Tomasov (Jewish Educator and tour guide from Barcelona).

The group visited other points in the city and taste a Moroccan Dinner at Maccabi Kosher Restaurant in Barcelona.

The day after they could visit teh Jewish Quarter of Girona and the Syngogue and Mikve in Besalu, a natural Mikve emossed on the rocks that survived across the centuries.

The closing dinner took place at Chabad center in Barcelona.

Thanks to all the participants and next year BH, we want to see you in Toledo and Segovia!!!!

A must book to read

Jewish Communities

Together with Editorial Nagrela, La Fundacion Hipano Judia cooperated in the Spanish Edition of No Room for Small Dreams, the autobiography of Shimon Peres.

Since the very first this booked kept me totally captured until the very first word. I can’t describe in a few words what a World leader like Shimon Peres is able not only tell but analyze and take tips for our future.

Totally recommended!!

Jean Marie Lustiger: living like a Catholic, died like a Jewish

Jewish Communities

I love my job. Last Saturday evening, just after Shabbat I had a last minute request for a Jewish prospective of Toledo on Sunday. I was impressed about the signature: Dany Lustiger. Of course I accepted. They were an incredible group, Israelis, very well educated, extremely sensitive about Judaism and very funny at the same time. Moreover they also accepted a Jewish couple from Alaska to join us during the tour… we had an amazing lunch specially after knowing that the father of Dany Lustiger is the second cousin of Jean Marie Lustiger, the famous Jewish origin Cardenal of French Catholic Church.

Here you have the interview

Birkat Hailanot at Or Hayeladim

Jewish Communities

This Sunday, Nissan 2nd, the Congregation of Or Hayeladim (North East Madrid) has rushed (zerizim lamitzvah) to perform the Mitzvah of BIRKAT HAILANOT (Trees Blessing).

In the month of Nisan it is customary to bless the trees, there are those who make them in Rosh Chodesh (1st of Nisan) and there are those who usually do it in Jol Hamoed (middle days) Pesach, when a large public gathers, adorned with festive clothes. If he has not been able to do so, he will be able to recite the blessing throughout the month of Nisan, if he passed Nisan will bless without mentioning the name of HaShem.
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The blessing will be done in front of two fruit trees or more, not grafted. If possible recite it outside the city as quoted from the Talmud (Brajot 43) “He who comes out in the days of Nisan (spring month) and sees flowering trees says: ‘Blessed is he who leaves nothing in his world and He created in him beautiful beings and beautiful trees, for the pleasure of men. ‘”

He will do his best to recite the blessing in the presence of ten people. It will not be blessed on Shabbat or on Yom Tov.

According to the Sages of Kabbalah, in this blessing resides a Great Tikkun for the soul of the deceased, and especially for those who lost a father or a mother. After finishing the ceremony, you will do well, if you set aside money for Tzedaka, the following blessing will go:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם. שֶׁלֹּא חִסַּר בָּעוֹלָמוֹ כְּלוּם וּבָרָא בוֹ בְּרִיוֹת טוֹבוֹת וְאִילָנוֹת טוֹבוֹת לְהַנּוֹת (נ”א לֵיהָנוֹת) בָּהֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם:

Baruch Ata Adon-ay Elo-henu Melej HaOlam, Shelo Jisar Beolamo Klum, Ubará Bo briot Tovot Veilanot Tovot Lehanot Bahem Bnei-Adam

Blessed are you, Gd our, King of the Universe, who does not leave anything in his world, and who created beautiful beings and beautiful trees for the pleasure of men.