The break-in show held by fashion designer Milli Dahan in front of the Holy Ark at the International Synagogue in Tel Aviv, which operates under the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, continues to cause shock across camps.
The Tzohar organization denied that the synagogue's rabbi, Rabbi Ariel Constantine, knew about the planned display - and said in the afternoon: "The Tzohar Rabbinical Organization is shocked by the desecration of the holy place and the dishonor of the synagogue, which is contrary to halakhah. The synagogue's rabbi claims that this activity was done without his knowledge and consent, and he is taking legal measures to bring those responsible for these terrible acts to justice.".
However, an investigation by Haredim10 reveals: Not only was Rabbi Ariel Constantine aware of what was happening in the synagogue, he was also present there - and watched the models walking in the fashion show.
As can be clearly seen in the image shown here, taken from the video that documented the show, Rabbi Constantine stood in the synagogue in the midst of the procession of immodest models.
The rabbi tells the 10 ultra-Orthodox: "I did not agree to a fashion show under any circumstances, and certainly not inside the synagogue itself. They lied to me and deceived me until the last moment.".
On his Facebook page, the rabbi added: "Dear friends, they took advantage of my innocence, they are shedding my blood. I have never agreed to an immodest fashion show in the synagogue. As soon as I realized that this was the intention of the producers, I did everything in my power to stop the event, and immediately fired the person responsible for this event from the synagogue.".
""I never imagined that the bright days of Hanukkah would turn into terrible days for me and my family. Thank you to all the friends who are calling and supporting me in these difficult moments.".
However, in the agreement that the synagogue made with the production company Abbott HaMeiri Communications, prior to the fashion show, it was clearly stated: "We are happy to promote modest fashion combined with religious content while preserving the sanctity of the place." The agreement as it appears here was sent to 10 Haredim by the spokeswoman for the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization. It can be noted that there are no signatures on the agreement.
Contrary to the synagogue rabbi's words, the public relations office "Dodi Melitz," which represents fashion designer Milli Dahan, emphasized that everything was done by consent.
""The event was done with the cooperation and consent of the synagogue," the public relations office said in a statement. "Local people were involved in the process, in its details, from agreeing on the date of the event, to the armor of the cantors who sang in the display, to the placement of the chairs for seating.".
""In order to reserve the venue for the event, it was agreed that a sum of money would be transferred and there was correspondence of emails, text messages, and more that reflected the process in question.
""We are not interested in going into details out of respect for the synagogue. We are very sorry if anyone was hurt.".
""Designer Milly Dahan held an innocent event led by an original idea. Since her designs draw inspiration from Judaism and synagogue designs, it was only natural to make the connection, and since the synagogue was a good fit for this connection, they were happy to produce it for the collaboration.".
The ministry emphasizes: "Any claim that suggests that this was not done by agreement is incorrect. I have every hope that the parties will lower the heat and come to an agreement between themselves.".
In response to the photo, Zohar reported: "In the photo, the rabbi is seen standing, not sitting. He arrived at the scene after the incident started and confronted the person in charge, because this is not what was written, this is not what was agreed upon, they agreed on something small and modest and without models.
""When he saw this, he tried to close the matter, and asked to stop the humiliation. The rabbi is going to file a lawsuit, if he agreed to the matter, how does he file a lawsuit?" they say in 'Zohar'.
Why didn't he stop the event? In the video, the models are seen continuing to walk after arriving at the venue.
""He wasn't there alone. There were maybe 200 people from the production, he can't start rioting. He asked them to put clothes on them," the response said.
The fashion show held in the Tel Aviv synagogue, as mentioned, caused a huge shock. The photos, which are no less shocking, show models walking in revealing clothing and with obvious immodesty in front of the Ark of the Covenant and next to the reading platform in the synagogue, while dozens of women and men watch and photograph them.
The show was filmed for the original production of Israeli hot entertainment 'It Girls' as well as for leading fashion blogs and media outlets.
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