Thousands Gather on Purim to Bless Itamar

Thousands gathered in Itamar for Purim Celebrations exactly one week aftter the attack on the Fogel Family, to show support and love for the family and the Itamar community.

Am Yisrael Chai!  The People of Israel Live!

Life Continues On Itamar

1.  As a response to the terrible Fogel massacre, a new neighborhood is being set up on the area where the terrorists entered the community.

2.  The Itamar community will be going full speed ahead in pushing the community forward. Many community projects like completing our permanent synagogue, a children and youth culture center which will include library, play room, club room and music room. Our youth need a lot of help and guidance which we must provide for them in order to try and heal their terrible scars. This will require funds for different youth activities and counseling. A special memorial site will be set up by the community remembering the Fogal and other families and people killed on Itamar.


3.  Mazal tov to the Silvers family on the brit of their son this week!

4.  Itamar welcomed a new family that moved in this week!  Rabbi Udi Fogel, in blessed memory, was the head of Itamar absorption and personally brought this family to Itamar.  His life continues to bless Itamar.

5.  Itamar had many visitors this week by government officials and army officers some of them included: the foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman, Saul Mufaz head of security committee of the Kinneset, General of central command Avi Mizrachi and Zeev Belkin with the group of kinneset members of Shdulat Erez Yisrael. Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, the Chief Rabbi of Zefat came to speak and give words of strength as well as many other prominent rabbis. People from all over Israel have been coming all week long to Itamar and bringing Purim gifts and hugs.

Joy amidst the Mourning - A Special Wedding at Joseph's Tomb

Miri Tzachi,
Shomron Regional Council

Itamar Residents Celebrate Wedding at Joseph's Tomb! 
by Hillel Fendel   Israel National News

The army periodically allows and enables Israelis to enter the holy site of Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem (Nablus) – but no previous visit was ever as moving as the wedding there last night.

Hundreds of residents of Itamar, still reeling from the Palestinian terror  massacre of the Fogel family five days earlier, arrived for a special prayer service – highlighted by the wedding ceremony of a resident of an Itamar  hilltop, Moshe Orlinsky, and his betrothed, Natalya Zucher.

The two had planned to get married in Itamar, but decided to hold the joyous ceremony at the holy site of Joseph’s Tomb instead – the first wedding known to have ever taken place there. The intensity of emotion left no eye dry.  Click on the video below!  



The officiating rabbi was Itamar’s rabbi, Rabbi Natan Chai, and wedding blessings were recited by Breslov leader Rabbi Shalom Arush, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef (son of Shas leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef), Shomron Region Chief Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, Yitzhar Rabbi David Dudkevitch, and the Kabbalist Rabbi Yaakov Deutsch.

The ketubah (marriage contract) was read aloud by IDF Shomron Brigade Rabbi Capt. David Feig.

The local IDF commander, Shomron Brigade Commander Col. Nimrod Aloni, wished the young couple “Jewish home full of joy, faith, and warmth.” Shomron Regional Council head Gershon Mesika noted the residents’ emotional roller-coaster of late, and said: “The prophet says, ‘With your blood you shall live – unfortunately, we had to go through five ‘bloods’ [the five murdered Fogel family members – ed.], but in the merit of this exalted occasion, it will strengthen all of us – the people of Itamar, the residents of the entire Shomron, and all of Israel; we will gather the broken pieces together and we will become stronger.”
Yosef's Pursuit of Unity Supports the Jewish Nation
Rabbi Chai said, "We thank G-d for giving us the fortitude to carry on… and we thank IDF Commander Nimrod Aloni, who made great efforts to enable us to hold this chupah here … It was near this spot that Yosef said, ‘I seek my brothers,’ and this pursuit of unity and love for Israel is what unites us and gives us the strength; Yosef had a coat of many colors – symbolizing that there are many aspects to the Jewish People, and each tribe has its place, but they are all unified.”

Other blessings were offered by Yesha Council head Danny Dayan, Rabbi Dudkevitch, and IDF Commander Maki Siboni. Musician and actor Golan Azulai provided the music, at no charge.

Another Video of this Special Weddinag at the Tomb of Joseph Adar 2011

A wedding of a new Itamar couple was held at Kever Yosef this week - the first wedding held there since the tomb was destroyed by Muslim terrorists in the year 2000. Am Israel Chai!

Israel's Future - Our Children

February 25:  Mazal tov to Nihoray and Yishuah Choshen on the birth of a son this week.  May they be blessed with many more happy events in their lives.

March 4:  Itamar extends a hardy Mazal Tov to mishpachat Ronski on the brit of their son and grandson

 Every Thursday the young children of Itamar have an additional special play hour. 

Enjoy the picture of them having fun.

They are the future of Israel!