Worldly matters around romatic feelings

B"H 

On January 22, Israel is going to vote a new parliament into the Knesset. I have to admit that, while reading the paper, I ignore most articles dealing with Knesset parties and their intrigues and affairs. Just like me, many Israelis are sick of politics and the corruption in our country. Nevertheless, politics are also a subject in the rather sleepy town of Zfat.:-)

Here, everything seems to be so far away but, in contrast to many American Jews living in Zfat, the secular Israeli population has its feet much more on the ground. Despite all dirty politics, here are another few rather romantic pictures from Tiberias and Zfat:  

Tiberias

Photos from Zfat

Yesterday: 28 degrees Celsius in Zfat. Some local shopkeepers asked an American tourist group where they are from in the States: "From Pennsylvania", was the response. "So you are probably happy to be here", said the shopkeepers referring to hurricane Sandy. "Oh, yes, !" - so the Americans.

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Tiberias' unromatic side

B"H

The small town of Tiberias located in the Lower Galilee and right at the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is one of the four holy cities in Israel. The other three are Hebron, Jerusalem and Zfat (Safed). 

Tiberias mainly lives from tourism and the majority of inhabitants consists of Moroccan Jews who came here in the 1950ies. The town is secular but more and more Haredim keep on moving up north due to lower rents. Chassidut Karlin - Stolin has been building up its own community. Furthermore, the bought the building where Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk used to live after moving to Tiberias. There are plenty of famous graves such as the one of the Rambam, the Ramchal, Rabbi Akivah, the grave of Rachel (Rabbi Akivah's wife which is supposed to be a fake). Rabbi Me'ir Ba'al HaNess is buried in Tiberias as well as further famous Zaddikim. 

Today Tiberias is a rather poor town. Not much to do and the job situation is pretty bad. Many people are on the dole and some neighbourhoods are populated by poor Russian immigrants. 

Here are a few pictures of the non - romantic side of Tiberias:

Going from street to street in Tiberias demands you to be sportive. The lowest part is the Kinneret but then you need to climb up the hill which isn't easy in the tropical summer heat.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

I may be wrong but, as far as I know, there only exists a small English - speaking community in Tiberias. If you are from places like New York, LA, Miami, Melbourne, Jo - burg, Toronto, London or Paris, and you are considering making Aliyah up north, please take into consideration that places like Tiberias, Afulah, Carmiel, Kiryat Shemonah or the Golan Heights demand fluent Hebrew. In some places up north (except for Zfat) you may be easily lost if you only speak English and no Hebrew. Furthermore, don't forget that shops close during the afternoon hours and that life is basically village - like.

At the grave of the RAMBAM in Tiberias

You cannot miss the grave of the RAMBAM (Maimonides) in downtown Tiberias (northern Israel at the Sea of Galilee). The monument placed above the grave can be seen from anywhere  down at the lake.

Underneath the monument, you can find the Kever of the RAMBAM (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 1135 - 1204).

Not at the grave but placed on the wall of a house in the area: A portrait of the RAMBAM.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

HERE and HERE are further pictures ! 


Why the RAMBAM was buried in Tiberias

http://shearim.blogspot.com/2010/10/bh-in-1204-rambam-maimonides-died-in.html

Photos from the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)

At the promenade in Tiberias. The monument is built in the shape of the Kinneret and also shows the sea level. Israel has been facing a severe water problem for the past couple of years, as there is not enough rain during the winter periods.

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Tiberias & Zfat in Northern Israel

B"H

From Jerusalem to northern Israel. I am having a brief vacation before Shavuot comes up this Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night after Shabbat). Right after the holiday, I am facing a doctor's appointment, as my meniscus broke apart. I can walk but sometimes it is really painful. However, back in Zfat I am trying to think about something spiritual and not necessarily about the injections and the treatment waiting for me next week. 

After not having been up north for more than a year I can surely say that nothing has really changed. Tiberias at the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) as well as Zfat are the same and the relaxed Galilee atmosphere rules. People in the north are a bit slow but not everyone has to run all the time as people in Tel Aviv.:-)

Tiberias now has a new Mac Donald's branch at its Central Busstation. The branch is kosher but extremely expensive. So, watch out in case you go there. 

What I also noticed is that Afula and Tiberias are becoming more haredi. The Vishnitzer Chassidim built their own neighbourhood in Afula and Tiberias with its famous graves of Zaddikim (Rambam, Rabbi Me'ir Ba'al HaNess, Rabbi Akivah, etc.) has a higher haredi concentration anyway.

Here are a few photos of the romantic landscape:

Hills around Tiberias

The Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) this afternoon. In the background you can see the Golan Heights and behind them we find Syria.

Landscape between Tiberias and Zfat

 

Before entering Zfat. Today the town has become very popular among new immigrants (Olim) from the US. Relatively affordable rents and costs of living. Religious Jews like to move to the old and famous kabbalistic town of Zfat. However, the town is facing a severe problem: An extremely high amount of unemployed inhabitants. If you are planning on moving to Zfat, please take into consideration that the town can hardly offer any jobs !

Around Zfat

View to Meron

The tiny Zfat mall: Rehov Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Street.

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Landscape between Tiberias and Zfat (Safed) / Northern Israel

 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Tiberias (Tveriah) Photos

 

 

Photos: Miriam Woelke

At the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Rabbis condemn new Tiberias Water Show, Part 2

B"H

What about the claim of Tiberias' Municipality that the controversial new water show "Tiverium" would only be for Christian tourists and not for Jewish Israelis ? Since when are tourists able to read the Hebrew announcements ?

"Tiverium" poster in downtown Tiberias.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Rabbis condemn new Tiberias Water Show

B"H

Orthodox Rabbis are condemning the new water show in Tiberias called "Tiverium". On the other hand, the three regular daily water shows have different content and are very nice to watch.

Location: The promenade at the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).Time: 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.

Now, a new additional show is coming up showing the history of Israel's third holy city, Tiberias (Tveryia). The Rabbis are warning Jews not to watch the new show, as it includes the false Christian Meshiach J. standing on the Kinneret. Watching the show would be "Avodah Zarah - Idol - Worship".

The Municipality of Tiberias is running these shows and the justification is that Tiberias needs tourism (also Christian tourism) and this particular water show "Tiverium" would be only watched by hotel guests. Mainly Christians. The Municipality denies the accusation of offending the Jewish public.

In fact, I have seen many signs in Tiberias announcing the new show, and those signs are in HEBREW and not only in English !

The regular daily water show in Tiberias. Many local Haredim go there as well. 

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Tiberias at the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Chassidut Vishnitz is moving to Afula / Northern Israel

Chassidut Vishnitz in Kiryat Vishnitz / Bnei Brak

B"H

Rents have got extremely high in Israel. Ordinary families where both spouses go to work and earn quite some money have difficulties paying the rent. Let alone being able to buy an apartment.


The coastal line around Tel Aviv, Netanya, Bat Yam, Ashdod up to Hadera has almost become unaffordable and people basically work in order to pay their rent. Gush Dan, the coast, has never been cheap and Jerusalem used to be affordable. This has changed in recent years and now, sometimes Jerusalem is even more expensive than Tel Aviv.


Israelis have discovered the north and the south. Living in the countryside with its cheap rent and commuting to their jobs every day. But now, also the smaller towns are raising their rents. Mea Shearim, Sanhedria or Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem have become far too expensive for newly married haredi couples. Years ago, haredi society started building neighbourhoods in Beit Shemesh, Ashdod or Arad but even there, space is getting harder to find. Entire chassidic groups move from Bnei Brak or Jerusalem to smaller towns where land and rent is still much cheaper. For instance, Chassidut Karlin - Stolin has bought some land in Tiberias Illit and is building its own neighborhood. There has been a rumour going around Tiberias that more chassidic groups are coming. Such as the Toldot Aharon, for instance.


However, none of the inhabitants of smaller town has anything against Haredim moving in. Nevertheless, people are afraid of what is coming afterwards. Are the Haredim going to determine their lives ? Has everything go according to Halacha ? What about demonstrations, Sikarikim and all this ? Who needs such things in Tiberias ?


I see it myself when I go to Zfat (Safed). The place has always been quite haredi with Breslov and Chabad but now, the old city has become slightly more extreme. Vishnitz, Chernobyl, Zanz and further groups are there and when you walk through the old cobblestone alleyways, haredi kids keep on staring at you.


So far, life goes on and the Haredim are not bothering any non - haredi inhabitants. Neither in Zfat and nor in Tiberias. Still, there is a negative side of them moving in: First of all, rents go up as soon as landlords see that there is a demand. Secondly, entire formerly secular or traditional (religious) areas may turn into haredi territory.

Now haredi society, in particular Vishnitz, has dicovered Afula located in the Jezreel Valley. Years ago, no one wanted to move to Afula, as there was just nothing. Lately, the mayor of Afula, Avi Alkabetz, has been working hard on settling some industry in his town. Hightech branches are coming to create jobs. Thousands of new inhabitants have moved in and new neighbourhoods have been built. Afula is changing its face and the mayor of the nearby Nazeret (Nazareth) is following suit. Northern small towns want to attract Israelis from the center because the Arab population in the northern district keeps on growing. However, the mayors are trying to attract regular Israelis who will integrate into their new places of living and not necessarily Haredim who stick to themselves.

Afula

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Afula's local weekly papaer "Avodah", however, reported last Friday that the Vishnitzer are moving in. Landlords have figured that out and the result are increasing rents. Vishnitz is upset because someone obviously made it public. Now Vishnitz is in trouble, as real estate prices are exploding for them.

 

Afula, Central Bus Station

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Even places like Ramat Beit Shemesh or the haredi town of Beitar have become too small and sometimes already too expensive. Haredi society will keep on spreading all over the country but each side has to be careful not to start a takeover. In case the Toldot Aharon are going to move into Tiberias, they have to accept that the tourist places are opening on Shabbat. Various restaurants at the beach area (at the Sea of Galilee / Kinneret) are open on Shabbat and so is the Mac Donald's. This way, Tiberias is earning its money. Otherwise the town would be completely bancrupt and those of you looking around there are very aware of the financial difficulties Tiberias keeps on facing.

Sunset over Tiberias (at the Kinneret / Sea of Galilee)

 

When the sun goes down over the Golan Heights, the mountains turn into a purple colour and reflect this colour onto the Kinneret. A phantastic nature event and reminding us how G - d created the world in such an amazing way !

Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke