Western Wall

July 25, 2018, 4:30 pm

Western Wall stone that fell near worshiper removed with crane

Officials mulling what to do with fallen 100 kg masonry due to its sacred status, considering reinserting it

By Stuart Winer and TOI staff

Daniella Goldberg stands later on Monday, July 23, 2018, at the site where a large chunk of stone dislodged from the Western Wall in Jerusalem Old City that day, at the mixed-gender prayer section. The boulder fell close to where she was praying. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 24, 2018, 4:57 pm

Western Wall not about to crumble, experts say after stone comes crashing down

Hebrew University academics emphasize that while constant monitoring and a early warning system are necessary, the monumental Herodian-era site should stay open to the public

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Dov Kalmanovich speaks during a demonstration on the eve of Tisha B'Av, the Hebrew date for the destruction of both Jewish Temples in Jerusalem, August 13, 2016. (Gershon Elinson/ Flash90/File)

July 23, 2018, 8:13 pm

Deputy Jerusalem mayor: Fallen Western Wall stone a message to Reform Jews

Dov Kalmanovich says 'timing and the location' of plunging boulder at mixed-gender prayer area 'should be red light for us all'

By TOI staff

Daniella Goldberg (left), with Culture Minister Miri Regev, inspects the damage caused by a large stone that dislodged from the Western Wall in Jerusalem Old City on July 23, 2013, at the mixed-gender prayer section. The boulder fell close to where Goldberg was praying. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 23, 2018, 5:03 pm

Minister calls emergency meeting over fallen Western Wall block

Miri Regev says it was 'a miracle no-one was injured,' asks chief rabbis what to do with 100-kilogram stone that crashed onto prayer platform

By TOI staff

View of the site where a large chunk of stone dislodged from the Western Wall in Jerusalem at the mixed-gender prayer section on July 23, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 23, 2018, 4:09 pm

Archaeologist says entire Western Wall is ‘danger zone,’ public should stay away

Warning of 'multiple cracks' after boulder falls, Zachi Dvira says people should not be allowed near holy site -- neither in the mainstream prayer pavilion nor at Robinson's Arch

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

A boulder from the Western Wall falls onto a prayer platform on July 23, 2018 (Courtesy/The Western Wall Heritage Foundation via the Masorti Movement of Israel)

July 23, 2018, 2:05 pm

Western Wall rabbi urges ‘soul-searching’ after massive stone crashes down

Shmuel Rabinovitch says 'most rare' incident at egalitarian prayer area, coming day after Tisha B'Av mourning for destroyed Temples, raises profound 'doubts and questions'

By Marissa Newman and Amanda Borschel-Dan

July 23, 2018, 10:07 am

Ancient boulder dislodges from Western Wall, crashes down near woman at prayer

Dramatic footage shows large stone coming loose from holy site, shattering on egalitarian prayer platform below; lands near Daniella Goldberg, 79, but she is unharmed

By Marissa Newman and Amanda Borschel-Dan

The egalitarian prayer platform at the Western Wall's Robinson's Arch archaeological area. (Eilat Mazar)

July 22, 2018, 10:08 am

Is evidence of Temple’s destruction being destroyed by a bid for Jewish unity?

Archaeologist Prof. Dan Bahat files a High Court petition to stop Western Wall construction. What is the archaeology that is currently covered, and what is in the provisional plan?

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City during his visit to Israel on July 20, 2018. (AFP/Menahem Kahana)

July 20, 2018, 1:10 pm

Hungary’s Orban visits Western Wall to wrap up Israel trip

Ending brief, controversial visit, Hungarian prime minister places note in cracks of Jerusalem holy site, learns history of Temple Mount

By AFP and TOI staff

Segregated-gender Orthodox prayer in the Robinson's Arch pluralistic prayer platform at the Western Wall, July 13, 2018. (Courtesy)

July 19, 2018, 3:22 pm

Western Wall egalitarian area used daily for gender-segregated Orthodox prayer

Students from two Old City yeshivas bring in temporary 'mehitza' dividers for Orthodox crowds of up to 100 at site set aside for pluralistic prayer

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

A prayerbook allegedly burned by ultra-Orthodox protesters opposed to a liberal women's prayer gathering at the Western Wall, July 13, 2018. (Elizabeth Kirshner)

July 13, 2018, 1:31 pm

Ultra-Orthodox protesters allegedly burn Women of the Wall prayerbook

Liberal women's prayer group's monthly gathering at Western Wall faces harassment; eggs and cups hurled at worshipers

By TOI staff

A Jewish Agency-supported Reform service in Israel. (courtesy JAFI)

July 10, 2018, 1:28 am

Majority of Likud voters support recognition of non-Orthodox Judaism

Reform Movement survey also finds most Likud supporters want Jerusalem to invest 'significant resources' in ties with Diaspora

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Jews wearing prayer shawls take part in the Kohanim prayer (priest's blessing) during the Passover holiday at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on April 2, 2018. ( AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANA

July 8, 2018, 12:39 pm

East Jerusalem teen arrested on suspicion of running Western Wall parking racket

Police say the 16-year-old damaged vehicles belonging to people who refused to pay him protection money

By TOI staff

Shas MK David Azoulay during a Knesset committee meeting. February 13, 2013. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

July 8, 2018, 12:25 pm

Egalitarian Western Wall plaza construction delayed as minister quits committee

David Azoulay of ultra-Orthodox party Shas writes to Netanyahu that he can't 'act against my beliefs'; joins two other ministers who resigned last week

By Michael Bachner and TOI staff

Members of the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements hold torah scrolls during mixed men and women's prayer at the public square in front of the Western Wall, in Jerusalem's Old City, on May 18, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

July 5, 2018, 9:17 pm

PM set to approve construction of Western Wall egalitarian prayer space – report

Netanyahu on Sunday to convene committee tasked with building pavilion for pluralistic worship near Robinson’s Arch

By TOI staff