A7News: Beit Shemesh: 'Waking up to a new reality'

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Thursday, Nov. 01 '18, כ"ג בחשון תשע"ט



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HEADLINES:
1. BEIT SHEMESH: 'WAKING UP TO A NEW REALITY'
2. WATCH: TRAIN ALMOST SMASHES CAR IN CENTRAL ISRAEL
3. 'I SAY YOU CAN BE RELIGIOUS SOLDIER AND ALSO SHAVE; NOW SHAVE.'
4. AYELET SHAKED: 'A GIFT FOR SHABBAT CHAYEI SARAH'
5. HISTORY IN BEIT SHEMESH
6. 8 MEMBERS OF SAMARIA FAMILY KILLED IN DEAD SEA CAR ACCIDENT
7. TRUMP VISITS PITTSBURGH AFTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK
8. ATAR FAMILY LAID TO REST


1. BEIT SHEMESH: 'WAKING UP TO A NEW REALITY'
by Hezki Baruch

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"It's like waking up to a new reality," said Beit Shemesh resident and New Jersey emigre Gilan Gertz this morning after the municipal victory of Dr. Aliza Bloch, the Zionist candidate for Mayor of the city Beit Shemesh, who last night won the mayoral elections in the city by 500 votes over incumbent mayor Moshe Abutbul and in doing so, became the first woman to head the city of Beit Shemesh.

1,300 votes were counted in Beit Shemesh overnight, including about 300 of disabled persons, about 1,000 of soldiers and a few dozen prisoners. At the end of the counting it became clear that Bloch had closed the gap of 251 votes that separated her from Abutbul and even gained an advantage.

"I've lived in Beit Shemesh for the past nine years since the day I made aliyah from New Jersey with my husband and five children.

"I can't describe the elation that Beit Shemesh residents are feeling this morning; they woke up to a new reality... We couldn't be happier," Gertz said.

Selfies in Beit Shemesh with Mayor-elect Dr. Aliza Bloch
Flash 90



2. WATCH: TRAIN ALMOST SMASHES CAR IN CENTRAL ISRAEL
by Tal Polon

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A serious incident was narrowly averted on Thursday morning at a train crossing in the area of Shefayim, near the coast in central Israel, after a vehicle got stuck between the tracks and the security gate as a train quickly approached.

The vehicle avoided getting smashed by the train at the last minute when a crossings inspector of the Israel Railways safety division noticed the situation and reported it to railway command and the safety center, which in turn alerted the train driver and activated emergency electronic systems.

A communications technician from the infrastructure division of Israel Railways then ran out and lifted the gate manually, thereby allowing the vehicle to back up and preventing disaster.

An initial investigation carried out by railway workers found that the driver of the vehicle was apparently distracted by his cell phone, and thus didn't notice the blinking lights and ringing sounds signalling the approach of a train. In the meantime, the train gate had come down over the road, preventing the vehicle from moving in reverse to avoid the oncoming train.

Due to the incident, train traffic is experiencing delays in the area.

Israel Railways said following the incident, "Israel Railways reminds the driving public and users of roads to drive with extra caution and safety near train tracks, and keep the law at train crossings on roads. These are dangerous areas which require special caution and attention."


3. 'I SAY YOU CAN BE RELIGIOUS SOLDIER AND ALSO SHAVE; NOW SHAVE.'
by Mordechai Sones

Southern Command human resources officer Col. Alon Matzliach wrote a religious soldier who requested permission to grow his beard: "I believe a religious lifestyle can be maintained even without a beard. You have to shave."

The soldier, a combatant in Gaza, submitted the request to the senior officer as required with the recommendation of a military rabbi, but was met with flat refusal by Colonel Matzliach, who included his personal opinion in the decision.

Army regulations allow every soldier who maintains a religious way of life to grow his beard. The order was sharpened after the "beard storm" when soldiers complained about powers granted to high officers detached from their everyday tasks. As a result, Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot ordered about a year ago to restore beard permission-granting authority to commanders on the ground, with the recommendation of a military rabbi.

The Tzav Echad organization on behalf of soldiers told Arutz Sheva, "We wonder where Colonel Matzliah, who is not yet a rabbi in Israel, draws the nerve to express his personal opinion that is inconsistent with a clear military order. Despite improvement in the subject following our struggle, we still encounter cases of harm to the soldiers' faith and the behavior of Matzliah, whose involvement in harassing soldiers this isn't the first, reflects contempt and disdain. We call upon the Chief of Staff to take steps against the officer and leave the decision to grow a beard throughout the entire military service to the soldier himself on the day of his enlistment."

The IDF Spokesperson has not yet responded.


4. AYELET SHAKED: 'A GIFT FOR SHABBAT CHAYEI SARAH'
by Mordechai Sones

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked congratulates progress towards erecting a residential building for Jews in Hevron's market.

Shaked defines the construction permit as "a gift to the Jewish People and to the Jewish community in Hevron for Shabbat Chayei Sarah that we'll celebrate this Shabbat.

"This week we made a significant breakthrough in the return of Jewish lands stolen during the 1929 riots in the so-called wholesale market. This is a very important area in the heart of the Jewish settlement in Hevron, which for 25 years was not settled, even though it belongs to the Jews according to all the records.

"For 25 years, Israeli governments have repeatedly evacuated Jews who settled in the area and haven't granted building permits," said Shaked.

"This week, thanks to the Defense Minister, Legal Advisor Avichai Mandelblit, Deputy Legal Advisor Erez Kaminitz, and Defense Ministry Legal Advisor Itai Ophir, we brought about a breakthrough and removed the barriers, leading to approving the planning. This Shabbat, when tens of thousands of Jews visit the City of the Forefathers, we'll see with our own eyes that the terror of almost 90 years hasn't succeeded and we've won. Have a successful Shabbat Chayei Sarah!" Shaked concluded.


5. HISTORY IN BEIT SHEMESH
by Ben Ariel

Dr. Aliza Bloch, the Zionist candidate for Mayor of the city Beit Shemesh, on Wednesday night won the mayoral elections in the city by 500 votes over incumbent mayor Moshe Abutbul.

By doing so, she will become the first woman to head the city of Beit Shemesh.

Overnight Wednesday, 1,300 votes were counted in Beit Shemesh, including about 300 of disabled persons, about 1,000 of soldiers and a few dozen prisoners. At the end of the counting it became clear that Bloch had closed the gap of 251 votes that separated her from Abutbul and even gained an advantage.

Upon learning of her victory, Bloch delivered a speech outside her campaign headquarters.

"The people of Israel look at the city of Beit Shemesh and wake up to a new hope. Beit Shemesh decided to cancel the walls and partitions," she said, adding, "Today we have proven to ourselves and to Israeli society that we respect each other and do not create gaps."

"As mayor of Beit Shemesh, I intend to engage in finding the good and the common, and together we will become a model for Israeli society, each of whom will live his life in his own way with respect for the other," Bloch declared.

Education Minister Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett congratulated Bloch on her victory.

"I congratulated Aliza Bloch on her historic win in Beit Shemesh. This was a critical campaign for the future of the city. The residents of Beit Shemesh chose hope, unity and future. We agreed to meet next week to build a plan to boost education in the city. Something new is starting in Beit Shemesh," Bennett tweeted.

Bloch, married and mother of four, is an educator by trade and has won many awards in this field.


6. 8 MEMBERS OF SAMARIA FAMILY KILLED IN DEAD SEA CAR ACCIDENT
by Ido Ben Porat

Eight family members from the community of Psagot in the Binyamin region of Samaria were killed in the road accident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the Dead Sea area.

The parents were killed along with their six children in a head-on collision on Route 90 near the Dead Sea.

The driver of the jeep who was involved in the frontal crash told police, "I have nothing to hide, you know exactly what happened there, it's the first time that it happened to me. I do not remember what happened there, I know I killed people. I will never drive again."

Prime Minister Netanyahu said in the wake of the accident: "The heart breaks in light of the heavy disaster that today destroyed the life of an entire family. My wife Sara and I grieve with all the citizens of Israel for the life that was cut short and send our deepest condolences to the family and the residents of Psagot."

"Today, when many Israeli citizens take advantage of the sabbatical day for trips in our country, I ask you to do everything in order to return home safely," the prime minister added.

MK Betzalel Smotrich (Jewish Home) expressed his sorrow over the accident.. "A whole family has gone. It's simply inconceivable. We embrace and strengthen the residents of Psagot and Mateh Binyamin in these difficult times. We must take it upon ourselves to drive extra carefully. Absolutely nothing is worth it," he said.

Initial investigations revealed that two vehicles traveling on Route 90 near the Dead Sea collided with each other. The killed persons were trapped between the remains of the burning vehicle and their death was determined after they were extricated by firefighting teams.

Three other members of a family from the community of Givon were wounded in the other vehicle. Magen David Adom medics gave a 52-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl medical treatment and evacuated them by helicopter to Soroka Hospital. Another 50-year-old man was also evacuated with light injuries.

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7. TRUMP VISITS PITTSBURGH AFTER SYNAGOGUE ATTACK
by Arutz Sheva Staff

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US President Donald Trump on Tuesday visited the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were gunned down in an anti-Semitic attack during Shabbat services.

Trump was greeted by more than 1,500 protesters who gathered nearby to make it clear the US president was unwelcome.

Carrying signs that read "President Hate, Leave Our State!" and "Trump, Renounce White Nationalism Now," the protesters gathered near synagogue.

Trump, who was accompanied by his wife Melania, arrived in the late afternoon, and placed a white flower and a small stone on each star erected in memory of the dead at a makeshift memorial outside the Tree of Life.

Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, who are Jewish, followed at a short distance, also pausing at each star.

The first couple then entered the synagogue and lit candles in honor of each of those killed, the occasion punctuated by the still audible cries of protesters outside.

The controversial visit came after mourners crowded into nearby synagogues and joined street processions at the first funerals for some of the victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in modern US history.

The service for brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal, both in their 50s, was the first in honor of those killed.

Services for 66-year-old doctor Jerry Rabinowitz and 71-year-old Daniel Stein followed in Pittsburgh, where scores of residents protested Trump's visit.

Suspected shooter Robert Bowers is facing more than two dozen charges related to the bloodshed.

During the 20-minute shooting attack on the synagogue, which took place during a circumcision ceremony, Bowers fired on congregants and guests with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and three handguns. Thirteen people were shot inside the Tree of Life synagogue, 11 of them fatally.

Bowers reportedly made anti-Semitic statements during the shooting, and shouted that "All Jews must die".

Federal prosecutors said Sunday they would be asking Attorney General Jeff Sessions to give them the green light to pursue a death penalty case against Bowers.


8. ATAR FAMILY LAID TO REST
by Yoni Kempinski, Eliran Aharon

Hundreds of people attended the funerals of the eight members of the Atar family from Psagot who perished in the fatal road accident near the Dead Sea. The funerals took place in the Netanya cemetery.

Meital Tzviel, a close friend of the Atar family, spoke in sorrow about the joy that characterized the Atar family and the community's coping with the disaster.

"When we heard about it, we refused to believe it," she said. "The heart is broken and I do not know how to accept it. I do not know how to tell the children how to deal it," says Meital. "We received the news, but it still hasn't registered. How can we commemorate such an amazing family as the Atar family? What can you take from them? "

Tzviel's family lived for years near the Atar family, and Meital relates talks about her friend Shoshi:" We lived together for years in the neighborhood. Shoshi was a good friend and there was a lot of nobility, wisdom, sensitivity and a desire to listen and to know. Educating the children was the main thing for them, they invested a lot in it."

"Really amazing children, the freedom that was given them and the dynamic with them, we would look and admire their growth - amazing family. Wherever I would see her we would stop and talk, and it was not just any conversation but deep conversation."

Tzviel explained how her children and those of the Atar family had a strong connection, and how the Atar kids were like members of her own household. "My children refused to believe it and said, 'We love them, how did it happen, how could that be?' They were very happy children, very funny, with lots of love for life, and this is a very prominent feature they had - and they received it from their parents."

Meital describes her conversation this morning with her son, who lost his good friend."My son said this morning, 'What, will I not see Yaakov Yisrael on the bus? We always talk before, talk afterward, make jokes, he will not be there?' And he just started to cry."

Meital believes in the ability of the Psagot community to cope and rise up from the disaster: "This community has gone through disasters, but I think that this community is amazing, it's an amazing community, there's an amazing community emergency response team (Tzachi) here and everyone acts without desire to receive something in return, and knows exactly what to do and how. And in situations like this, we see even more how amazing this community is."

The court extended the remand of the driver of the jeep who on Tuesday hit a car belonging to the Atar family from Psagot, killing all eight members of the family.

The suspect driver was brought before a judge, who ruled he was suspected of using prohibited substances before getting behind the wheel.

Heavy mourning has been felt on the streets of Psagot in Binyamin since it became known that the entire Atar family was wiped out on their way to a family trip in southern Israel: Yariv was 45 and Shoshi was 47. The children were Yaakov Yisrael, 12; Ateret, 11; Ayala, 9; Moria, 7; Yedid, 5; and Avigail, 3.

Yariv worked for a computer company and his wife Shoshi was a special education teacher at Keren Or in Jerusalem. The children attended elementary school and preschools in Psagot and the eldest son attended the Yeshiva High School in Mateh Binyamin in Beit El.

The Atar couple arrived in Psagot about 13 years ago, not long after their wedding. The family lived in the Ai neighborhood and about two years ago moved to the central neighborhood and established their place in the community.

"A noble family that surrounded everyone around them with their joy, they were people of kindness on an unimaginable level." Rabbi Yosef Weitzen, the rabbi of the village, said. "We have to do a soul-searching - but soul searching for eight people I don't know how to do."

Miriam Dadon, a close friend of the late Shoshi Atar, eulogized her, "Instead of getting a happy embrace for my son's Bar Mitzvah, we'll have to give another kind of hug. She was an island of sanity who always thought for the good."

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