Just two days before the event, the location of a Simchas beis hashoeva in Tel Aviv-Yaffo was moved to the Viola Hall in the city due to the demands of the women’s organizations and Deputy Attorney General Dina Zilber to hold the event without gender separation.

The simchas beis hashoeva event, with the participation of Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, was to take place in Hatikvah Park in the city, and the organizers of the event were preparing for the arrival of thousands. As appropriate for such an event, it was designed to be conducted with full gender separation.

Following the request to the city’s legal advisor by politicians and women’s organizations in the city, the legal advisor instructed the organizer of the event, Natan Elnatan, that the event should take place without gender separation. Elnatan refused, explaining this would be contrary to halacha.

After stubborn negotiations and even organizing a petition to the court, the parties reached a compromise that the event would take place in an alternate location, in accordance with the rules of separation.

The new venue, which has been agreed upon, Viola Hall; but the venue can only accommodate 2,000 participants.

Shas party mayoral candidate Natan Elnatan is quoted telling Kikar Shabbos News Shas that “cynical political elements are not averse to any means to build themselves on the back of Jewish tradition, and I am sorry that we have reached this state and I am glad that the solution was finally found to the chagrin of the Jewish persecutors. I call upon all the residents of the city to come and strengthen the tradition in the city so that they will hear and see.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)