History

Final Western Wall Selichot Draws Over 50,000 as Season Total Nears One Million

Published

Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of an immense crowd of worshippers filling the Western Wall Plaza at night, viewed from above with the ancient wall at left and illuminated stone structures and a covered walkway around the plaza, drawn in warm ochre and slate-blue pastel with cross-hatching on sepia newsprint.

More than 50,000 worshippers joined the final Western Wall Selichot service before Rosh Hashanah. Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef and former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar led the prayers, while Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion led part of the service. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation said close to one million worshippers from across Israeli society had visited since Elul began; overflow video was projected at Jaffa Gate and on the Old City walls for thousands unable to enter the plaza. Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz called for unity and mutual responsibility.

Sources

Primary sources:12Secondary sources:3

People in this story

Something went wrong

We couldn't complete that action. Check your connection and try again.