Happy 25th to Tel Rumeida

Marzel Since Then, and Forever

Chevron is commemorating 80 years since the carnage in Chevron, and the 25th anniversary of the Tel Rumeida neighborhood. They haven't forgotten that the massacre occurred before there were concepts as an Israeli state and mitnachalim (settlers) * Rabbi Boruch Marzel tells SOS- Israel about the early days when he lived in a caravan with no flooring and fought for the right of Jews to reside in the city of our Forefathers.  He also tells about the neighborly relationships (hint: Yitzchak Shamir: "the Arabs are the same Arabs")

"We know exactly who our neighbors are.  Way before there ever existed a state, settlers and occupied territories, they murdered and butchered their Jewish neighbors who were always so good to them.  In 5689 they had no valid excuse, and they wiped out an entire Jewish community without any compunction.  Today we must deal with a different sort of challenge: the leftist organizations are inciting our neighbors against us.  The Arabs are getting paid by them to lodge complaints with the police against us- their Jewish neighbors."

On the 10th of Av, twenty five years ago, the Jewish neighborhood of Tel Rumeida was set up in 24 hours time.  This neighborhood symbolizes Jewish courage and fortitude and is located on the Biblical site of Tel Chevron, the place that Dovid HaMelech left from to reign as king.  Rabbi Boruch Marzel has lived there longer than any other resident, and he was one of the founders and builders of the Tel Rumeida neighborhood.  Rabbi Marzel, one of the top activists in the Eretz Yisroel Shelanu movement, relates for the very first time about the trials, tribulations and victories that today are history.

For the last twenty five years, Rabbi Boruch Marzel, one of the founders of the Eretz Yisroel Shelanu movement, lives in a leaky caravan riddled with bullet holes from bullets that flew directly above family members' heads during the second intifada.  A beautiful family of nine was born and bred in Marzel's eternal caravan, and hundreds of thousands (without exaggeration) have visited the Jewish neighborhood in ancient Chevron.

Last week Rabbi Marzel celebrated twenty five years since Tel Rumeida's establishment.  Tel Rumeida is the most famous of all neighborhoods in Eretz Yisroel, was the victim of many edicts, but, the help of Hashem managed to survive them all.  Marzel graciously shares some of his experiences with us.

How was the neighborhood actually established?

"The neighborhood was established on the border between two governments; Likud and Unity.  Moshe Arens was the Defense Minister.  We had all the necessary permits.  Arens gave us 24 hours to get Tel Rumeida established as a fact, before Yitzchak Rabin would become minister in his stead.  And we, indeed, made history: Tel Rumeida was set up within those 24 hours.  Of course, Yitzchok Rabin's first decision as minister was to "freeze" the neighborhood.  Soldiers and police were on duty to uphold the freeze, and we got busy to install the necessary utilities; water, electricity and a sewage system.

" There was a time that we had no flooring in the caravan.  We established the neighborhood the day after Tisha B'Av, from destruction to construction.  It is very symbolic that we established the neighborhood on the very site of ancient Chevron, the place that Dovid HaMelech reigned, where Yishai and Rus are buried, and we merited to rebuild a Jewish presence in that place.

Is it a proven fact that these were Jewish lands?

"Tel Rumeida is land that was purchased by the Sefardi community.  We have all the documents, including a confirmation from Pliah Albeck from the Ministry of Justice.  In addition, this is ancient Chevron where our forefathers dwelt. This is the cradle of Jewish history, and archeological finds support our knowledge that there was a vibrant Jewish presence throughout the years.  If we don't have the privilege of living on our lands, just where can we live?

Which incident is the most strongly etched in your mind since living in Tel Rumeida?

"The worst and most unforgettable thing that happened here was the brutal slaughter of my holy neighbor Rabbi Shlomo Raanan HY"D.  I was in the Meoras haMachpeila for Slichos on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul with Rabbi Ovadiah, when I got that awful call.  I ran home to save my family.  Rabbi Raanan's caravan was ablaze, and there was fear that the fire would spread to our home as well.

"It is important to note that that this attack came after Israel handed Chevron over to the Arabs, and armed them.  It was with one of these weapons that they killed my neighbor. Israel assumed that the security cameras would protect the Jews.

"Another vivid memory is of when my wife had to give birth, and there was heavy fire in the area.  The army had to use heavy fire so that she should be able to get out. 

I also will never forget the visit of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach z"l to my home.  His presence was an inspiration and source of strength and support to all the residents, to continue develop the neighborhood."

Aside from the caravans, you also boast a large permanent structure.

"Ehud Barak, the Defense Minister, and Fuad, as well, gave us building permits to build a permanent structure, and we built seven apartments.  We obviously didn't give up the caravans, in order to increase the number of families.  My family continues to reside in a caravan; at this date we are proud to report that 17 families live here. The Admat Yishai neighborhood is a source of pride and joy.  We have minyonim at the gravesites of Rus and Yishai, as well as a Kollel at the resting place of the Rebbetzin  Menucha Rochel, where Shliach Danny Cohen enhances Jewish life."

You were almost evicted by Yitzchak Rabin.

"After the episode with Goldstein, Rabin wanted to evict the Jews, and the cranes were ready at the government building.  I was under administrative arrest during that time.  The Rabbonim were steadfast and firm, and were able to annul the degree.  At the huge rally, with thousands in attendance, Rabbis Shlomo Goren and Avraham Shapira warned that there will be bloodshed if the Jews will be expelled.  Then and there they announced the Halachic ruling that one must disobey command. This stopped Rabin from expelling the Jews from Chevron.  I know for a fact that the heads of security understood the great danger looming ahead, and convinced him to desist in evicting the Jews."

What lessons have you learned from the pogrom in Av, 5689, which we commemorated the eightieth yohrtzeit not too long ago?

"I can see the cemetery plot where the holy victims of the pogrom were laid to rest from my window.  For us, in Chevron, these stories are part of our daily lives.  We know exactly who are neighbors are.  Way before the "state", mitnachalim" (settlers) and "captured territories' they tortured and slaughtered their Jewish neighbors that were so nice to them, and actually destroyed them.  Eighty years is a period of time, and the lesson is clear: 'Eisav despises Yaakov'.  They had no valid excuse in 5689; nevertheless they destroyed an entire Jewish community.

"The Israeli government protects those murderers, as in- 'Have you killed, and also taken possessions?'  I expect the government to at least take some action in returning Jewish possessions.  We are not in possession of the majority of the Jewish assets.  Furthermore, Netanyahu handed over Chevron to the Arabs.

"We find ourselves today up against a slew of leftist organizations that constantly incite our neighbors against us.  They pay the Arabs to have them lodge complaints against us with the police.  Until Moshiach's arrival, the war with our neighbors is part of our daily existence.  With G-d's help, Chevron will remain ours forever, and from here the light of Moshiach will burst forth..