By: Fern Sidman
A conversation with Ateret Cohanim 2011 awardees
On Wednesday evening June 1st, American Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai will celebrate Yom Yerushalayim (jerusalem Day) at their 32nd annual dinner at Terrace On The Park in Queens. This year outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to the re-building of a Jewish presence in the Old City of Jerusalem will be accorded honors as will those known as “Jerusalem’s Heroes”; the intrepid residents of the Old City, Kidmat Zion, Maalei HaZeitim and the Yemenite Village, without whom none of this could be possible.
Founded by Matityahu HaCohen Dan, a young, idealistic veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, Ateret Cohanim’s mission is predicated upon the fulfillment of a generations old dream of rebuilding and securing Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel. Bringing this inspiring vision to fruition through a unique program of strengthening Jewish roots, Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai has succeeded in re-establishing vibrant Jewish communities that are centered around yeshivos and other educational institution in the Kotel Quarter, also known as the Moslim and Christian quarters of the holy city.
Representing the Jewish residents of the Old City of Jerusalem at this year’s dinner is Chaya Shira (Frimer) Tanami who lives in the Yemenite Village. A shining paradigm of exceptional courage, Mrs. Tanami and others like her exemplify a pioneering spirit that serves as a beacon of light and hope for the future of Jerusalem. The recipients of the auspicious Bonei Yerushalayim (Builders of Jerusalem) award include Shlomo and Naomi Min-Ha Har Gottfried of Maalot Dafna, Jerusalem, Henoch and Tova Messner of Monsey, New York and Nessem and Lynne Tammam of Great Neck, New York.
Always reluctant to accept public honors, Nessim and Lynne were kind enough to present their views on the vital work of Ateret Cohanim and the future of Jerusalem. “Jerusalem holds a special significance for me because I was born in Libya and grew up in a neighborhood that was very similar to the Old City of Jerusalem but needless to say, things were very different. The Arabs controlled every facet of our lives and we accepted subjugation in order to avoid suffering their wrath”, intoned Mr. Tammam.
Explaining the etymological basis of the word Jerusalem, Mr. Tammam said, “The first part of the word in Hebrew is ‘yerusha’, meaning inheritance and the last part of the word is ‘shalom’. We have come to the city of our inheritance in peace and by claiming our inheritance, given to us by G-d, we will earn the respect of the world and the Arabs and in the end, peace will follow.”
While attending his nephew’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem over 10 years ago, Mr. Tammam witnessed what he termed, “the most amazing work” that Ateret Cohanim was doing for the restoration of Jerusalem and has been an avid supporter ever since. “I saw with my own eyes the tremendous efforts that the people in Ateret Cohanim were putting in to rebuild the Old City; the long hours of research and the time they spent negotiating with Arabs to legally acquire properties. What impressed me most was the genuine love they hold for Jerusalem and their willingness to devote their entire lives to ensuring its future”, he said.
Speaking of the myriad services that Ateret Cohanim provides to the residents of the Old City, Mr. Tammam said, “Every community must have their basic needs met and Ateret Cohanim works assiduously to provide playgrounds for the children as well as schools and community centers. They provide tuition assistance to those who wish to learn at the yeshivos there as well as providing housing for them. You cannot imagine just how much work is entailed in renovating homes and buildings and Ateret Cohanim does just that as they make housing space habitable.”
Addressing the ever present need for security in the Old City, Mr. Tammam ruefully observed, “The 70 or more Jewish families in the Old City must live with 24 hour heavy security. What kind of life is that? They risk their lives every single day in order to make it possible for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to live there, one day, please G-d, in peace.” With a sense of optimism and hope, Mr. Tammam added, “Ateret Cohanim has stepped in and sponsored the installation and maintenance of state-of-the-art security systems and has initiated educational programs so that people can live in safety, both physically and emotionally, and for that we should all be deeply indebted.”
Exhorting those who “care about Israel’s right to exist and are concerned about the future of Jerusalem” to take a larger role in assisting their brethren who live there, Mr. Tamman said in a tone of profound conviction, “Because I am so incredibly impressed by the valiant work of Ateret Cohanim, I implore every Jew, every decent person, to lend their support to this organization. If we will not stand up for Jerusalem, if we will not speak out, if we do not take any action, then who will? We must guarantee that future generations will live in peace and security and the only way that’s going to happen is for us to throw our wholehearted support behind the one organization that is inherently interwoven in the fabric of the our beloved capital.”
Having purchased a property in the Old City called Beit Schechter, Henoch and Tova Messner, also recipients of the Bonei Yerushalayim award, recall its glorious past. “This property was named after its original owners who lived there from the 1880s until the 1930s when they were driven out by Arab rioters during the infamous pogroms”, said Mr. Messner.
Prior to making the purchase they sought the counsel of HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, shlita. “When we asked Rav Elyashiv if he thought this cause was important enough for us to become involved with, he was surprised that a Jew could even ask this question. He felt that it was such an imperative thing to do that he gave us his full endorsement and encouraged us to get others involved”, said Mr. Messner, adding that, “there is nothing more natural than a Jew buying a house in Jerusalem. The students of the Vilna Gaon did the same 200 years ago and Ateret Cohanim is at the forefront of continuing this special work today.”
Mr. Messner said that, “The designation of ‘East’ and ‘West’ Jerusalem was created for the purpose of removing Jews from half of the city which they once owned and inhabited before they were forcefully removed. In fact, when the Schechter family lived in their home which we redeemed, the Jews were the predominant majority in that part of the city.”
“The vision of Ateret Cohanim is to bring back the glory of Jerusalem, to rebuild and re-establish the kind of pulsating Jewish communities that were once the hallmark of the Old City,” said Dr. Joseph Frager, Chairman of the Board of Ateret Cohanim. Speaking of the upcoming summit between President Obama and Prime Miniister Benjamin Netanyahu, Dr. Frager added, “Undue pressure will be placed upon Netanyahu by President Obama to begin negotiations with Hamas and now is the time for all of us to stand tall and united for Jerusalem. As Ateret Cohanim is the leader of all the Jerusalem-based organizations, there can be no better response by the Jewish community to world pressure on Israel than by supporting our goals of redeeming Jerusalem, now and forever.”
Shani Hikind, the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim said, “I stand in complete awe of the courageous residents of the Old City, Kidmat Zion, Maalei HaZeitim and the Yemenite Village known as Silwan. I don’t know how many of us have the kind of mettle it takes to stand in their shoes. Jerusalem belongs to every single Jew, irrespective of where he or she may be living at the moment. Because of the unbreakable bond between the Jewish people and Jerusalem, each of has a vital stake in its future.”
“The last ten years has seen significant change in Jerusalem”, said Danel Luria, the Executive Director of Ateret Cohanim in Israel. Commenting on the burgeoning Jewish presence in Jerusalem, Mr. Luria said, “Currently there are 110 families living on the Mount of Olives. Eight brave families are now living in Silwan or the Yemenite village as it is known. Recently, Arabs began rioting in the neighborhood, blocking the road with huge boulders and setting tires on fire. Despite these dangers, we are telling the world by our presence there that Jews will not be intimidated, Jews will remain vigilant about preserving their homeland.”
Heaping accolades on this year’s honorees, Mr. Luria said, “The Tammams The Messners, and the Gottfrieds are exceptionally magnanimous people who are quite cognizant of the paramount importance of investing in the future of Jerusalem and have devoted themselves to helping others live there and for that, we are extremely appreciative.”
For information on the upcoming Ateret Cohanim dinner and to make reservations or to place a journal ad please contact Shani Hikind at 212-216-9270 or e-mail: [email protected]. For further information, please visit the Ateret Cohanim web site at: www.jerusalemchai.com
