Ashdod Travelers guide

'Selichot' Tour 167 More about: Rabbi Amar Rabbi Amar was born and educated in Paris, and spent several years an emissary of the Rebbe mission in Sydney, Australia. In 2004 he arrived in Ashdod to establish a spiritual center to increase Jewish identity in the spirit of Chabad and the ideology of Hassidut. And so, aside from the synagogue, various activities take place there, including Torah lessons and workshops, lectures, women's nights, and professional counselling and guidance for young couples - all in an attempt to create a young community that will identify with the place. When you walk in the compound traditional tunes and soul music emanate from the speakers in the ceiling. "The modern architecture was designed to inspire the young generation and connect it to tradition and Jewish identity with innovative means that will speak to its heart," says the Rabbi, who not only talks but also does, with the help of multimedia - screens that come up and down, state of the art projectors, and even a hall that resembles an "escape room" - an interactive experience of being acquainted with Judaism and the tradition of Chabad. The synagogue and the offices at the location are open at all times, and whoever wants to enter the compound is welcome to come in, have a glass of water and even make themselves coffee. The lobby is adorned with a commemorative wall to glorify the burial place of the Ba'al Hatnaya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad Hassidic movement. The Judaica shop in the complex complements the holistic experience. Getting back to the basics, the prayer style is Sephardi combined with the music of joy and elation, and whoever wishes is welcome to raise a glass or two of Vodka. They said about her "From Ekron to the sea all the cities near Ashdod, along with their villages. Ashdod, its towns and its villages" (Book of Joshua, Chapter 15, Verse 46-47)