Prophesy in Jerusalem

The Edison Theatre at the edge
of the Geula neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Built in 1932, the Edison Theater was Yerushalayim's 3rd theatre. While agreements had been signed between the Orthodox community at the time with the 2 other theaters against movies and activities on Shabbat, the Edison showed little interest in being closed on Shabbat. In the 1950's, there were many demonstrations on Friday nights against the theater (and those who attended movies there on Shabbat), and a leading rabbi told demonstrators at the time, “You have nothing to be worried about – Edison will be ours.”

Who would have believed in 1950 that the prophesy of his statement would come true; the Edison eventually stopped showing movies, closed down as a theater, and was eventually knocked down.

Even more than that -- the Satmar Rebbe just arrived in Israel this week...for the cornerstone laying of a new building and community on the site of the Edison.

Announcement of the celebration for the cornerstone laying
of the "Kiryas Yoel" neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Gathering of Satmar Chassidim this past Pesach

The current Satmar Rebbe

Some say that the Ultra Orthodox are taking over Jerusalem.

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, the founder and chairman of the religious ZAKA organization, says “haredim are not taking control of the city because a few rabbis planned it. They are taking control because ultra-Orthodox couples have many children – that’s just how it is.

“Those who want to stop us should have killed us when we were young.”

(via YNET from 1.5 years ago)

Maybe if the theater didn't show movies on Shabbat back then, there would be more harmony in the city today? The demographical dynamics of Jerusalem are definitely moving in the direction of more Ultra-Orthodox. However, if the secular population is pushed out it does not bode well for the city, as Jerusalem will eventually become the poorest city in Israel. Something to think about.

My prophesy is simple; Jews will return to Gush Katif and rebuild it. And that's going to happen much quicker than people think.

Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael