A wide variety of activities are sponsored by Mishmeres
Hakodesh Vehachinuch. The organization strives to arrange
vacation spots and attractions for the chareidi public
without compromising on taharas hakodesh. In addition
to approved swimming pools, the Chofetz Chaim Water Park and
Ashkelona, which are all closed on Shabbos of course, this
year two new sites have been added to the list of attractions
suitable for the chareidi public.
Tzemach Beach — Following prolonged negotiations
this fabulous beach on the banks of the Kinneret has now been
designated for use by the chareidi public during Bein
Hazmanim. Mashgichim yirei Shomayim are stationed
on the premises 24 hours a day to oversee tznius and
other matters. The beach offers a range of activities for the
entire family with two separate beaches for men and women and
unique water activities. The beach is operated in cooperation
with chareidi enterprises and is the result of concerted
efforts for the sake of the chareidi community.
Based on a conversation with Rabbi Aryeh Blumental, who is
among the operators of the site, an agreement was reached
with Ronen Ben Menashe, CEO of religious travel company Orot
Menashe, after the beach management made a commitment to keep
Shabbos all year round.
The beach management spent NIS 120,000 to prepare a special
beach designed for simultaneous use by men and women.
Adjacent to the beach is a dry family area with enormous
lawns, showers, restrooms and more. The men's beach features
a water park and the women's beach has water trampolines,
bubble pools (breichot ketzef) and water rides. The
entry fee is NIS 28 per person. Visitors who pay by Yisracard
receive a second ticket for free in exchange for 165 points,
and of course group discounts are available.
How can you reach the site? Hoffman Tours operates daily
busses from Jerusalem and Bnei Brak and weekly lines from
other locations. Combination tickets are also available,
providing both round trip bus fare and admission to the beach
at reduced prices.
"The public should know that we did our part," says Ronen Ben
Menashe, one of the primary figures behind the initiative.
"Half a million shekels was invested in many areas of Tzemach
Beach for the sake of Shabbos and now the public is being
called on to come and realize we did it for you!"
*
Glatt Kayak — Orot Menashe — Orot Menashe
is a religious tourism company in the Golan Heights that, in
cooperation with Mishmeres Hakodesh Vehachinuch and Vaadas
Harabbonim of Shabbos, started a new, previously unknown
kayaking route for the chareidi public. The 90-minute course
follows the Jordan River from a point south of Kfar Bloom
and, according to Ben Menashe, secular Jews will not be
allowed entry.
The kayaking route has separate hours for groups and families
and stresses the issue of tznius. Orot Menashe leased
the site and operations are fully disclosed to Vaadas
HaRabbonim.
The route is designed for separate groups and other routes
with certain restrictions applying are available for
families. Mashgichim from Chatzor maintain close
supervision along the length of the route, preserving an
appropriate atmosphere on the banks as well. Mishmeres
Hakodesh Vehachinuch is investing great efforts into making
the site suitable to provide recreation sites appropriate for
the bnei Torah public.
The cost is NIS 29-35 for groups and NIS 48-55 for
families.
