{
  "id": 8635516,
  "title": "Nearly 150,000 people participate in final slihot ceremony ahead of Yom Kippur at Kotel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/nearly-150-000-people-participate-in-final-slihot-ceremony-ahead-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T07:26:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-909157"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nearly 150,000 people attended the final slihot prayer service at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Saturday night, marking the end of the 2026 slihot tradition. The gathering commenced in the early evening and peaked during the central ceremony at the Kotel, with participants standing in the plaza and on nearby balconies throughout the Old City's alleyways. Due to the large attendance, the event was also broadcast on large screens at the plaza's outskirts, the walls of Jaffa Gate, and at IDF Square. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion attended the ceremony. Netanyahu prayed for peace and the safety of Israel's security forces, while Israeli Chief Rabbis prayed for the unity of the Jewish people. Rabinowitz stated, \"This month has once again proven that the Western Wall is the beating heart of the Jewish people.\" Attendees included former hostages Eliyahu Cohen, Nova survivor Ziv Abud, Rom Braslavski, Elkana Bohbot, and Ohad Ben Ami. Braslavski expressed his remorse for not doing enough during his captivity and said, \"I always knew in captivity that You would save me.\" Former hostages shared their gratitude and prayers for healing and unity as they entered the new year. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that nearly two million people visited the Kotel during the month, including former hostages, bereaved families, IDF soldiers, and security force members.",
  "summary": "Also in attendance were former hostage Eliya Cohen and his wife, Nova survivor Ziv Abud, as well as former hostages Rom Braslavski, Elkana Bohbot, and Ohad Ben Ami.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nearly 150,000 people attended final slihot ceremony at Western Wall.",
    "Ceremony marked end of 2026 slihot tradition and included former hostages.",
    "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prayed for peace and security forces safety."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}