News from the Local Kehillot

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.

The Feast of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a joyous and significant festival in the Jewish calendar. For our Hebrew Speaking Catholic Communities, Sukkot holds a profound meaning, intertwining the rich traditions of our Jewish heritage with our Catholic faith. This festival, which commemorates the Israelites’ journey through the desert and God’s provision, invites us to reflect on themes of gratitude, trust in divine providence, and the importance of community. As we gather in our sukkahs, we celebrate not only our historical roots but also the enduring presence of God in our lives today.

This year, again, the Jerusalem community celebrated its traditional the Summer Party. Coinciding with the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, the Community gathered together on Sunday (18.08), after the Mass. Fr. Benny reports about the event.

Four years ago, Pope Francis has decided to institute a Church-wide celebration of a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Starting 2021, it is held on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. Fr. Benny reports from Jerusalem Community.

On Saturday July 13 (2024) Fr. Mark held his first Lord's Supper in Hebrew at St. Peter's Church in Jaffa. Fr. Mark served in the Jaffa community during the period of preparation for the priesthood for one year (2019-2020) and received the Ordination for the Priesthood on the feast of St. Peter (29.06) in Jerusalem from the hands of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

The Christian Media Center is a communication tool from the Custody of the Holy Land, in partnership with the Canção Nova Community, serving the Church in the Holy Land. It showcases the beauty of the Holy Land through news about events, liturgical celebrations, and holy places. The content, which includes Christian, Ecumenical, and Interreligious aspects, is available in several languages.

On Wednesday (12.06) in the church of St. Joseph at Paris Square in Haifa took place a meeting with Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.