News from the Local Kehillot

The Russian speaking community in Haifa marked the Solemnity of the Epiphany with a festive Mass and a heartfelt Christmas Mystery play prepared by the faithful.

This Christmas was in Israel a calm and peaceful time. Our Hebrew-speaking communities in Jaffa, Tiberias, Haifa, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, as well as the Russian-speaking communities (Tel Aviv, Haifa and Emmaus) celebrated joyfully the birth of the Messiah.

On December 13, about 35 members of the Jerusalem Community came together for a special day of study, prayer, and spiritual preparation for Christmas. The retreat took place at the German Hostel of the Sisters of Charles Borromeo in the German Colony.

The members of Jaffa Kehila participated in their Advent retreat, on Friday, December 12th, in Tiberias. One of the members reports about this event.

Saturday, December 6th – The Beer Sheva community set out on a joyful and faith-filled journey to northern Israel, embracing fellowship, prayer, and the beauty of creation.

On Friday, December 5th, our beloved community member Cécile Pilverdier passed away. Fr. Benny, responsible for the Jerusalem Kehilla, shares his reflections on Cécile’s life and legacy.

On Tuesday, the first day of Sukkot, members of the community gathered in the Suka at St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa, built by Father Apolinary, to share a festive lunch, pray together, and give thanks to God. It was a joyful and meaningful celebration.

The St. James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel hosted a special celebration of the Feast of Sukkot on Thursday, October 9th, at Jerusalem Kehilla (HaRav Kook Street 10). The evening brought together members of the community for a joyful gathering of thanksgiving, unity, and reflection.

The war against Iran is a difficult experience for everyone in Israel. Alarms wake us up several times every night. We are terrified by the destruction and pray for the victims and the injured. Our faith gives us hope that peace will return to our country. We are grateful for all the prayers and words of support.

On Sunday (18.05.25), the Jerusalem community gathered with great joy to mark two rare and remarkable events during the celebration of the Holy Mass: the 104th birthday of Sister Régine, and her 80th Jubilee as a nun in the Sisters of Zion congregation.

Last Thursday (15.05.25) the Community in Jaffa celebrated Lag BaOmer, traditionally falling on the 33rd day in the period of the counting of the ʿomer (“barley sheaves”), a period of semi-mourning that lasts for the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot.

This year, the Jaffa community celebrated the 77th Independence Day of the State of Israel among the holy sites on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

This year, the liturgy of the Holy Week in our Vicariate will be celebrated in following places, at following times:

On Wednesday (05.03), Elisheva Hemker passed away in Haifa. She was buried on Friday (07.03), in a modest and dignified ceremony attended by her niece from Germany and her close circle of friends. Elisheva dedicated her life to the community in Haifa, serving as the right-hand woman of Daniel Rufeisen (Brother Daniel). As a professional social worker, she continued her activity in the field since her arrival in Israel in 1962. She established two nursing homes: one in Nahariya and the other in Haifa. For this life's work, she received praise and numerous awards (a.o. Mount Zion Award in 1991).

Last weekend (14-15.02), the Haifa Community embarked on a spiritual retreat and pilgrimage in the Galilee, visiting significant holy sites where Jesus taught and performed miracles. This retreat was organized by Father Igino and hosted by the Tiberias Community.

The small chapel of Sts. Simeon and Anne have been adorned with an important liturgical object: a Wooden Ambo.

On Sunday (02.02), on the occasion of the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, the main feast of the Jerusalem Community, we were honored to receive the visit of the Patriarch, who celebrated the Lord’s Supper with us.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, an event was held in Haifa that symbolized the unity and partnership between the various Christian denominations in the city. The ceremony and prayer in honor of the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” took place at the Beit HaChesed Church in Haifa, an event celebrated worldwide to promote dialogue and cooperation between the various churches.

This Christmas in Jerusalem Community was marked by the presence of many guests. We present the homilies of Fr. Benedetto that he preached during the celebrations of December 24th,25th and 26th in Hebrew.

The olive harvesting season is upon us. Some religious communities require assistance to gather all the fruits, and often, locals volunteer to participate in the harvest. This is the story of Nadav.