It was already hot this morning at seven when Women of the Wall met at the Kotel to celebrate Rosh Hodesh Tammuz. There were 55 women, our local WOW members and visitors this morning and the shacharit service led by Ahuva Batz, the shilchat tzibur of Masorti congregation Moreshet Yisrael and a rabbinical student at the Schechter Institute was beautiful.
But the relative calm that we have been experiencing the last few months was shattered by the vile ranting and attempted chair throwing from the other side of the mehitzah. A haredi woman also interrupted the Amidah by yelling at us be silent. A group of women davening seems to threaten both men and women.
After Hallel, Anat explained that we tried to bring the Torah into the Kotel plaza but we were not allowed, so sadly, we were exiled to Robinson’s Arch – an archeological site – to continue our service.
Every month, we dedicate our service and this month we asked for the safe return of Gilad Shalit who has been held captive by Hamas for five years. Our hopes and prayers for Gilad were put into the wall. Ken y’hi ratzon.