""A crazy idea": 2,000 participants will dance Zumba on the way to the Western Wall

June 22, 2014   

Zumba in a king's palatine: This week, the Jerusalem Municipality will hold a Zumba and spinning marathon in front of the Old City walls.

The event, defined by the municipality as "the largest and most impressive in Israel," will take place Tuesdays - Thursdays on the Jaffa Promenade, opposite the walls of the Old City, on the road leading to the Western Wall.

This is how it is described in a statement issued by the municipality: "The Jerusalem Spinning and Zumba Marathon has become one of the most sought-after events among sports enthusiasts in the country, and this year approximately 2,000 participants are expected to take part.

""There is a huge demand for Zumba and we thought it would be right to take the classes out of the closed rooms and into the open air of Jerusalem," says Ilan Green, director of the Popular Sports Department in the Jerusalem Municipality's Sports Division. "Last year, we launched the Zumba Marathon alongside the Spanning Marathon and it was a great success. This year, the demand for Zumba has grown significantly and we expect to double the number of participants. The great instructors who combine forces, the amazing view, the clean air, the many participants and the perfect atmosphere ensure that the energies will be sky high.

In addition, the Zumba marathon develops cardiovascular endurance and burns fat, and there is no better way to do this than in an electrifying atmosphere, accompanied by rhythmic and exciting music.".

A source from the Haredi factions in the Jerusalem Municipality tells Haredim10 that this constitutes another and ongoing violation of the sanctity of Jerusalem. "How is it possible to hold such an event, on a path where tens of thousands of worshippers are marching, seeking to pour out their prayers at the Western Wall?""

According to the source, this will be discussed among the ultra-Orthodox council members to see how to proceed.

We asked the Jerusalem Municipality for a response, whether this was done in coordination and with the consent of the Haredi council members, and this is its response: "This is a traditional event that is held every year at this location and is in great demand among the residents. The event was held on the terrace above the Mamilla Mall, where many and varied cultural events are held throughout the year and have been for many years.".

חברת מועצת העיר אריה קינג הגיב: "מי שהגה את הרעיון ההזוי הזה, הוא לוקה אם לא בנפשו אזי בשכלו! אעשה הכול למנוע את הפגיעה בכבודה של עיר הקודש. רוצים לרקוד? שירקדו באולמות ריקודים! מחפשים אזור פתוח? שירקדו באיצטדיון טדי ומי שרוצה להציג את גופו לראווה, שישלמו לו על כך רוכשי הכרטיסים". תגובת יו"ר סיעת יהדות התורה, אליעזר ראוכברגר: "קשה לי להבין מדוע בעירית ירושלים מתעקשים שוב ושוב על עריכת מופעים מסוג זה באזור העיר העתיקה. "זה מקומם, וברור שצריך לפעול אצל כל הגורמים כדי להסיר את החרפה הזו. הנושא יעלה בישיבת הנהלת העירייה, ונעשה כל שביכולתנו לשכנע את ראש העיר, ניר ברקת, למנוע מהמופע הזה להתקיים באזור העיר העתיקה. "מופע שכזה הוא מזעזע ומביש ואין להם מקום כאן".

We also asked for comments from other council members, and when they are received, we will publish them.