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Featureby Dr. Shalva Weilreferring to it as Rachel’s tomb andmade the claim that it was the site of anIslamic mosque.During the second Intifada in 2000, therewere intermittent attacks on the tombwith altercations between the IDF andPalestinian gunmen. Since then, therehas been a growing wave of supportfor the idea that the site was in fact athousand year-old mosque by the nameof the “Bilal ibn Rabah mosque” until,finally, the UN Educational Scientificand Cultural Organization (UNESCO)endorsed the idea. In October 2010,it was declared a mosque. Out of 58member states, only the United Statesvoted against the decision; 12 Europeanand African countries abstained.In a petition to UNESCO initiated onthe internet, petitioners wrote: “Inattempting to sever the Jewish cultural,religious and natural heritage bond withthe Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel’sTomb, UNESCO denies the history itis mandated to preserve, engages in apolitical maneuver designed to weakena member UN nation, and underminesits own principles. … We demand thatUNESCO, whose purpose it is to protectheritage, also protect Jewish heritage,rather than deny it.”The tomb was even known by the BeneIsrael of Bombay as one of the holiestsites to Jews over the generationseven though they were disconnectedfrom world Jewry. It symbolizedfertility, and is of special significanceto Jewish women. Rachel’s birthday,which falls on the 11th day of the lunarmonth of Heshvan, has become a dayof pilgrimage for thousands of Jewishwomen, who come from all over Israel topray for their loved ones or themselves.The security around the Tomb of RachelBusloads of Bene Israel have in thepast visited the tomb to make vows andpray for suitable marriage partners fortheir children or beg for children for achildless couple. The Bene Israel groupswho visit the tomb today, which nowmore closely resembles a fortificationmarking the checkpoint to Bethlehemmore than an ancient holy site, are fewand far between. The Bene Israel guardis no longer there. The memory, though,is still closely guarded.Dr. Shalva Weil is a SeniorResearcher at the ResearchInstitute for Innovation inEducation at the Hebrew Universityof Jerusalem, Israel. She is aspecialist in Indian Jewry and isthe Founding Chairperson of theIsrael-India Cultural Association.12 ASIAN JEWISH LIFE ISSUE 6
New Released!Countdown Watch SeriesCountdown Watch is a special designed watch series thatthe watch runs anti-clockwise. It intends to remind us thatthe day of God’s coming is near. Hebrew alphabets of dialare specially designed to remind us — Pray for Israel!We wish that Hatikva, Countdown Watch will be areminder of your promise to God. May God bless you!Tel +852 3499 1745 I www.hatikvawatch.comEmail info@hatikvawatch.comHMACQ-02-SHMACQ-01-SHMACQ-04-SHMACQ-03-S
Page 5 and 6: EditorMissionDear Readers:Welcome t
Page 7 and 8: Featureby Andrew HarrisShabbat at C
Page 9 and 10: Featureby Andrew HarrisPhoto credit
Page 12: Featureby Dr. Shalva WeilThe Tomb o
Page 17 and 18: Poetryby Allison HeiliczerPhoto cre
Page 19 and 20: Writer’sDeskby Raquelle Azranover
Page 21 and 22: CoverStoryby Erica LyonsSiona Benja
Page 23 and 24: CoverStoryby Erica Lyonsher work wi
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