For the Ohr Chaim seforim store in Yerushalayim’s Geula neighborhood, life has been more than a bit difficult, not to mention the aggravation and expense involved in repairing damage caused by sikrikim (delinquent youths), who have smashed the store window and defaced the property on numerous occasions in the name of expressing disapproval of some of the items sold in the store. Those objecting to some of the items offered to the public insist there is a violation of community tznius standards.
Ohr Chaim made a genuine effort to work with this radical element for a time, but it appears reaching a mutually acceptable solution is simply not a realistic possibility, compelling the store management to simply continue trying to serve the community and earning a living. The new reality includes a metallic rolling gate in the hope this will prevent additional vandalism and destruction during hours the store is closed.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
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@getzel1,
Sir, unless you have personal knowledge of what is going on here, please do not make assumptions about what is happening with this store. You are missing a tremendous amount of information and that is causing you to reach the wrong conclusion. It is incredibly unfair of you to reach a conclusion that the store owners are “brainless” when you don’t have even half of the story and relevant background information.
sikrikim (delinquent youths)– They come in all ages, sizes and looks. Youths is not an accurate description.
The entire economy of Geulah/Meah Shearim is on the line, if these thugs are allowed to continue their harassment. Us tourists, visitors, and even Yerushalayim residents are starting to avoid the area. Crazies…..who are allowed to stand up for make-believe Torah dictates.
#1 There is no excuse and should be zero tolerance for them and their cohorts destroying the neighborhoods of Beit Shemesh and Ramat Bet Shemesh. Contractors and builders are feeling frustration seeing that ‘normals’ are losing interest in the RBS future areas. Especially American Charedei olim are running the other way…
I know exactly what’s going on the I was there in that building for a while. I am friends with one of the owners kids. The fact is that while I condem the attacks the fact is that making the store there is wrong.
I think tasers and pepper spray also will prevent additional vandalism and destruction during hours the store is closed.
And where would be the correct venue for this store, if not Geulah/Meah Shearim?
getzel1, the store has been around in the area (a few stores down the block) for a long time. so what do you mean by ‘making the store there is wrong’? what changed? why not respect this person, he has been part of the local economy for a long time?
as long as the store was not in mea shearim it was ok. But once it moved into mea shearim which I believe means past chavakuk street that’s already inside the kanoims territory
#8 – I’m sorry, but that’s ridiculous. Those kano’im don’t have a boundary on their territory. They’ve been giving Zisalik – the ice cream store – in Geulah a hard time since day #1.