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El Al passengers hold Torah reading and fast-day prayers at 35,000 feet

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk

Primary source Internal intake · 1 reviewed intake signal · Desk window 20:56

TL;DR

Passengers aboard an El Al flight from New York to Israel held a Torah reading and recited Vayechal, the fast-day Torah portion, while in the air. A Torah scroll was brought onboard; businessman and philanthropist Louis Scheiner received the third aliyah, according to a video shared by the airline.

01 · THE DISPATCH

Passengers on an El Al flight from New York to Israel conducted a religious service at cruising altitude, including a Torah reading for a fast day. A video published by the airline shows a Torah scroll brought onboard and businessman Louis Scheiner receiving the third aliyah. The event took place on a Thursday evening, according to the timestamp. The Zioneer has previously reported on isolated incidents of prayer-related friction on Israeli public transportation, but this is an in-flight religious observance onboard a national carrier, unusual in its setting. No further details about the specific fast day or passenger count were immediately available.

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This dispatch is published under The Zioneer Intelligence Desk. Raw intake channels remain internal provenance; an external outlet or channel is named only when it materially helps readers evaluate a specific claim.