By COLlive and Jerusalem Post
Photos by Israel Bardugo
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation unveiled a fully excavated and restored grand hall dating back to the 14th century in the tunnels under the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City, last Sunday.
The hall, which has been converted into an educational center, cost millions of dollars and took 10 years of careful oversight by Israel’s Antiquities Authority (IAA) to complete.
Fully funded by Jewish billionaire and philanthropist Gennady Bogolyubov, the educational visitors’ center will address the genealogy of the Jewish nation and its connection to Jerusalem, officials said.
“I did this because of my strong belief that Jews all over world can feel safe because of the State of Israel,” Bogolyubov said at the gala unveiling, produced by Fleishman Productions, which he attended with his wife and four young children.
Bogolubov, an industrialist originally from Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, currently based in London, added that “Everyone must contribute what they can – some contribute by joining the army, some by national service. I did what I can do.”
He was warmly thanked by Israel’s former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowicz and Soli Eliav, director-general of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation and a friend of the donor.
Also in attendance were Dnepropetrovsk Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetzky, Rabbi Pinchas Althaus of Cholon’s Rasko neighborhood, Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, Director of Chabad of Belgravia in London, and Israel Police Chief Yohanan Danino.
According to the IAA, the hall – adorned with highly stylized arches which stand on broad, tall stone pillars – was first detected underground adjacent to the Western Wall Plaza and revealed a window to aqueducts from the early 14th century.
Bogolubov paid approximately $20 million to excavate the site, as well as the four other areas below the Ohel Yitzhak Synagogue, also known as the Shomrei haChomos Synagogue located in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Kamentzki thank you for bringing and inspiring Mr. Bogolyubov and so many people with the power to influence to Chabad and Judaism.
Hashem blessed Mr. Bogolyubov with wealth and he uses it so wisely and generously. Thank you, sir, and may you and your family continue to be blessed every day in every way. YES! this archeological discovery is really very exciting; and under the Muslim quarter, how ironic is that?!
Yashar Koach for all you do, not only in your dalet amos, but for shluchim the world over and for klal yisrael
May mr bogolubov go from strength to strength with such great zchusim
So accomplished yet so humble. You inspire me!
The community in Belgravia is blessed to have Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson and his family as shluchim. They are providing rich and meaningful Yiddishkeit activities in the most professional manner and with lots of warmth. I was so impressed to see their Hebrew school which is kiy’h thriving with students! It’s always exciting to see the new creative peulos they are initiating. They are definitely shluchim we can be proud of!
Durten geit an emese shliach, er gait mit a hitel un a fulle bort
moshiach now
Beautiful !
Mendel kalmenson. So good to those you.