New Shliach to Mearat Hamachpela

By COLlive reporter

Chabad of Hebron came out with an original and spiritual response to the wrongful designation of the Me’arat Hamachpelah in an absurd resolution of the United Nations agency.

The UN’s cultural organization UNESCO passed a resolution designating Me’arat Hamachpelah, the burial site of the matriarchs and patriarchs of the Jewish people – and the first Jewish land acquisition in the land of Israel – as “Palestinian Heritage Site.”

This blatant disregard for the intrinsic connection it has to the Jewish people has propelled Chabad to quicken the announcement of a new Shliach who will focus his activities at the Cave of Machpelah, the world’s most ancient Jewish site.

Rabbi Yoni Atiya was appointed as the director of the newly created Chabad of Me’arat Hamachpelah which will serve the tens thousands of Jews and non-Jews visiting the second holiest Jewish site in the Land of Israel.

With Tefillin, Sheva Mitzvot Bnei Noach cards and other necessities on hand, the visitors are welcomed at the Chabad stand with a short, but meaningful introduction and explanation about the Machpela.

A newly installed coffee corner affords visitors cold and hot drinks, following in the footsteps of our Father Avraham who was known for his hospitality.

Atiya is a familiar face in the area as the son of veteran Kiryat Arba-Hebron Shliach Rabbi Victor Atiya and grandson of Chassidic artist Baruch Nachshon. The young Atiya was born and raised there and now joined the 7 Shluchim families serving hilly Judaean Mountains.

In response to the UNESCO resolution, Chabad of Hebron has announced that they will be printing a special edition of the Tanya in the Me’arat Hamachpelah. They are inviting Jews around the world to take part in this historic endeavor at chabadhebron.com/tanya.