Sha'arei Ratzon | 
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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. |
| A Brief History | | Jerusalem Post article |
Tizku LeShanim Rabot!
Prayers are held on most of 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.
5769 Shabbat and Holiday Prayer Schedule (2008/2009) is:
| September 30th | 1st day of Rosh Hashana |
| October 1st | 2nd day of Rosh Hashana |
| October 8th | evening Kol Nidrei- Yom Kippur |
| October 9th | Yom Kippur |
| October 14th | Succot |
| October 20th | Hosha'ana Raba (7:00am) |
| November 1st | Parashat Noah |
| November 29th | Parashat Toledot |
| December 27th | Parashat Mikketz (Shabbat Hannuka) |
| January 24th | Parashat Vaera |
| February 28th | Parashat Truma |
| March 10th | Erev Shushan Purim, Megilla reading and Purim party |
| March 28th | Parashat Vayikra |
| April 9th | Pesach (8:30am) |
| April 15th | 7th day of Pesach |
| May 9th | Parashat Emor |
| May 29th | Shavuot |
| June 20th | Parashat Korach |
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Kiddush following services.
Istanbuli Synagogue, Beit El 18, Jewish Quarter, Jerusalem. For further information: Amelan 02-5638340 Miller 02-5660070 Benabu 02-5814880 |
| 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:
The Sephardi European group Web page