The old Jerusalem train station, known today at the Mitcham HaTachana, operates as a shopping/entertainment venue on Shabbos. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor (Bnei Torah) Rav Chaim Epstein has sent an urgent letter to Mayor Nir Barkat reminding him of the religious status quo in the city and the mayor’s commitment in coalition agreements to preserve kedushas Shabbos in the capital.

Rav Yitzchak Pindrus, a councilman affiliated with Degel Hatorah visited the site on Shabbos amid growing reports of chilul Shabbos. He confirms the reports are not exaggerated and he sent a letter to colleagues to work towards bringing this to an immediate halt.

The site is becoming an increasingly popular Shabbos shopping and entertainment venue as the daily Haaretz called its opening “A victory for the non frum.”

It appears the Mitcham HaTachana will be Mayor Barkat’s first test case with his chareidi councilmen in this new administration.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)