While admorim may oppose some technology, Vishnitz Chassidus in Eretz Yisrael is availing itself of a computerized telephone calling system to sell seats for the upcoming Tishrei Yomim Tovim.

The new system will premise itself on a digital map of the beis medrash showing chassidim which seats are available. One may only purchase seats via the new computerized system, which will operate around-the-clock. The system is designed to identify the incoming call from a chossid’s home, and then offer him his usual seats. If the system cannot identify the caller, he will have to leave a message and officials will return the call.

Callers are given three options, to buy seats, to hear announcements or to hear special announcements. If one selects “one”, renting seats, then the system will seek to identify the caller and determine how many seats are registered to the family. The system will tell the caller where the seats are located to avoid any confusion.

When the caller pushes “five” he will be able to finalize the seats by making payment. The regular seat owners who also pay the maintenance tax will be billed automatically. A seat in the ezras noshim is 100 NIS. Ladaat reports that talmidim davening in the special yeshiva minyan will also have to buy seats, which will cost 60 NIS per talmid.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)