"Hello Sivan, the following words are dedicated to the healing of the wounded and in memory of the fallen:
If someone asked themselves who all these Israelis are who flock in masses to Selichot at the Western Wall, then I wanted to say – it’s me!
My name is Ayelet Segal, I’m a graduate student in Middle Eastern studies at Tel Aviv University, and tonight I came to Selichot for the first (!) time. The 'Chabad on Campus' movement brought a huge group of students from all over the country to Selichot, and it was one of the most special experiences of my life.
I prayed with women who seemingly look so different from me, and it really connected me to this week's Torah portion. Parashat Nitzavim that we read on Shabbat begins like this:
’You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your God: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers—every man of Israel.’
And indeed, we all stood there together. Rabbi Shaya Garlitzky, Chabad shaliach at our university, explained that these verses are actually a deep blessing – that we should all stand together, Jews from all sectors and styles, this is a blessing and a source of strength. This will protect us and strengthen us.
We are in a period that also has negative discourse in the media and on social networks, and I really felt yesterday at the Western Wall that inner truth of unity among us. I thought about our ancestors, who left from exactly here two thousand years ago into exile, during the destruction of the Temple. I wanted them to see that we haven't forgotten, that we are standing here, and continuing to move forward.
Shabbat Shalom, may we hear good news.”
