Standing tall for Jerusalem

The Jewish presence in Jerusalem’s Old City and surrounding eastern neighborhoods continues to grow, with local supporters preparing for a June 1 celebration fundraiser at Terrace on the Park in Queens, raising funds for American Friends of Ateret Cohanim/Jerusalem Chai. Widely known for its promotion of Jewish settlement in eastern Jerusalem, this year marks the 32nd year for the yeshiva.

Founded by Matityahu HaCohen Dan, the yeshiva seeks to rebuild and secure the Jewish presence in Jerusalem by re-establishing Jewish communities centered around yeshivas in the the Muslim and Christian Quarters of the Old 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 neighborhood south of the Old City that had a Jewish presence prior to 1948. Among the recipients of the organization’s Bonei Yerushalayim award are Great Neck residents Nessim and Lynne Tammam.

"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,” Nessim Tammam said. “The Arabs controlled every facet of our lives and we accepted subjugation in order to avoid suffering their wrath.”

In contrast, Jerusalem offered Tammam an opportunity to do the opposite. "The Jewish nation should stand tall and take pride in staking our claim to our biblical inheritance,” Tammam said. “We shouldn't allow the left-wing media and other anti-Israel forces to define us as land grabbers. With appreciation to Hashem, we have returned to our rightful home in Jerusalem and we're going the extra mile to buy back land that has been occupied by Arabs."

Tammam became familiar with Ateret Cohamin 10 years ago while attending his nephew’s bar mitzvah in Jerusalem. "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,” Tammam said.

Alongside real estate purchases, Ateret Cohamin also provides services such as playgrounds, schools, community centers, security technology, yeshiva tuition assistance and housing.

Shani Hikind, the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim listed off the neighborhoods that have a renewed Jewish presence, in part due to Ateret Cohanim. "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,” Hikind said. Jerusalem belongs to every single Jew, irrespective of where he or she may be living at the moment. Each of has a vital stake in its future."

Concerning the upcoming Yom Yerushalayim celebration, Mrs. Hikind said, "Right now, we are asking every single Jew to join us at the dinner on June 1st when we will thank G-d for Jerusalem's continued survival throughout the ages.”

In spite of international pressure, families continue to move into the eastern neighborhoods. "The last ten years has seen significant change in Jerusalem," said Ateret Cohanim’s executive director Daniel Lourie. "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."

Despite the blatant hypocrisy of the world as it pertains to Israel, Lourie remains confident that Israel, the Jewish people and Jerusalem will not only survive but thrive. "We do what needs to be done as we have since the beginning of time. By acquiring properties, reclaiming our heritage, working towards renovating Jerusalem for the future, we have and will continue to prevail over the forces of darkness."

For more information on the Jerusalem Day celebration dinner, see this week’s calendar.