Following the dismal turnout for the 11-month memorial event for Maran HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, party officials decided to cancel the planned first yahrzeit event in the Ramat Gan Stadium, opting for a more modest venue. Party officials have contracted the Jerusalem Payis Arena Stadium, which is far smaller than the Ramat Gan Stadium, with the latter accommodating 35,000 people while the former has a maximum capacity of 11,000.

The event is scheduled to take place on the Sunday following Rosh Hashanah, Tzom Gedalyah, beginning at 21:00.

After the embarrassment from the poor turnout at the Binyanei Ha’uma event it was decided to select a day that will not be problematic for talmidei torah and yeshivos to participate. Since it is following the fast there are no limudim that evening. Therefore Shas is hopeful that enough men, women and children will attend to permit reporting a full house for Maran’s yahrzeit event.

Main speakers will include the head of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Yisrael HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita and Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlita as well as other sons of Maran and rabbonim from the Torah Council.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)