Sha'arei Ratzon



    The Sha'arei Ratzon community is both diverse in origin and united in purpose: to establish and advance the unique and ancient prayers of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in the State of Israel.

    Its members are a mixture of immigrants, who came from countries such as the United States, England, Holland, Italy and Surinam, and native-born Israelis. They are mainly descended from Jews who practised their faith in secret in Spain after the expulsion in 1492, and then made their way to other European countries a century later. They live all over Israel, and come together to worship in the historic Istambouli synagogue, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

    The Spanish and Portuguese service is one of the most historic, poetic and tuneful liturgies to be found in the Jewish heritage. It preserves some of the finest works of the Golden Age of Judeo/Spanish poetry as a living, modern means of spiritual expression.

    The congregation was established in 1980, and has gradually expanded over the years. In 1992 it was honored by the presence of the then Prime Minister, Yitzhak Shamir, at a special service commemorating the 500th anniversary of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.

Here are two items of interest:
A Brief History | Jerusalem Post article
Tizku LeShanim Rabot!

Prayers are held on all the festivals, and on selected Shabbat mornings.

Services on Shabbat and Haggim are held in the Istambuli Synagogue. Morning services on Shabbat and Hag start at 8.00 am
save where otherwise stated.

5768 Shabbat and Holiday Prayer Schedule (2007/2008) is:
    September 13th
    1st day of Rosh Hashana
    September 14th
    2nd day of Rosh Hashana
    September 21st
    evening Kol Nidrei- Yom Kippur
    September 22nd
    Yom Kippur
    September 27th
    Succot
    October 3rd
    Hosha'ana Raba (7:00am)
    October 13th
    Parashat Noah
    November 10th
    Parashat Toledot
    December 8th
    Parashat Mikketz (Shabbat Hannuka)
    December 29th
    Parashat Shemot
    February 9th
    Parashat Truma
    March 8th
    Parashat Pekudei
    March 20th
    Erev Shushan Purim, Megilla reading & Purim party
    April 5th
    Parashat Tazria
    April 20th
    Pesach (8:30am)
    April 26th
    7th day of Pesach
    May 10th
    Parashat Emor
    June 9th
    Shavuot
    June 28th
    Parashat Korach

    Kiddush following services.

    Istanbuli Synagogue, Beit El 18, Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem.

    For further information: Amelan 02-5638340 Miller 02-5660070 Benabu 02-5813521


On Shabbat Va'era January 27, 2001 Daled B'Shvat the Congregation celebrated it's twentieth year
Click here to see a wall hanging to remember this.

For further information on schedules and on the community, please call 02-563-8340 or 02-581-3521.

PO Box 10467 Jerusalem 93624

Sha'are Ratzon warmly acknowledges the
assistance, support and encouragement of The Sephardi Va'ad of Jerusalem.

Schulamith Halevy's webpages on the surviving heritage of the Anusim.
Link to her site

The door of the Istanbuli Synagogue is pictured in a new photographic site
with the work of Ruth Fogelman. Click Here to see.

Useful Links:

Sephardim

The Sephardi European group Web page


This page sponsored by Esek.com

This page prepared by Pinchas Richard Wimberly, webwright.

September 1, 2007