Do those posh buildings belong to rich Israeli Jews?
No, those houses are part of small Palestinian towns near Umm al Fachem (norther Israel).
Photos: Miriam Woelke
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunset over Meron
Sunset over the hills of Meron (where Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
is buried). I took the photos from the location across:
From the famous kabbalistic town of Safed (Zfat).
Photos: Miriam Woelke
Dona Gracia Exhibition
B"H
Here are two photos from the historical exhibition at the "Dona Gracia Hotel" in Tiberias. The hotel serves at the same time as hotel and as a museum about Dona Gracia (1510 - 1569).
I am going to publish further pictures together with the article.
Every corner in the hotel lobby is representing a different period of life of the great personality Dona Gracia.
Photos with friendly permission of the "Dona Gracia Hotel":
Miriam Woelke
DONA GRACIA Festival in Tiberias
B"H
I am very much into the history of the great medieval personality DONA GRACIA (1510 - 1569) and, at the moment, collecting all kinds of material in order to write about her. Furthermore, I have been to the Dona Gracia Hotel in Tiberias and visited their great exhibition. My detailed article is coming out soon; however, for those people who are interested:
I will be there and writing about the festival for those who aren't in Israel and, unfortunately, cannot participate in the great event.
A Dona Gracia Festival is going to take place in Tiberias / Northern Israel this November.
I will be there and writing about the festival for those who aren't in Israel and, unfortunately, cannot participate in the great event.
Classes with the new Chabad Shaliach Yisroel Goldberg
B"H
"The ABC's of Chassidut", where the participants will explore the background, as well as the soul of the inner dimension of the Torah and Judaism. The class will be held on the 3rd floor of "Yad Tamar" Synagogue, 5 Ha'Ari Street, and will be held from 19:30 - 20:30.
Also, Next Monday, 25.10.10, there will be the first monthly Farbrengen, Chassidic gathering. This month it will be held at the home Jay and Miriam Sugarman, 5 Abarbanel. Everyone is invited, and the event is free of charge. It will begin at 19:30. This will be instead of the regular women's class.
The new Chabad Shaliach of Jerusalem's Rehavia neighbourhood is planning to give some Shiurim:
"The ABC's of Chassidut", where the participants will explore the background, as well as the soul of the inner dimension of the Torah and Judaism. The class will be held on the 3rd floor of "Yad Tamar" Synagogue, 5 Ha'Ari Street, and will be held from 19:30 - 20:30.
Also, Next Monday, 25.10.10, there will be the first monthly Farbrengen, Chassidic gathering. This month it will be held at the home Jay and Miriam Sugarman, 5 Abarbanel. Everyone is invited, and the event is free of charge. It will begin at 19:30. This will be instead of the regular women's class.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Ancient Graves in the Galilee
Part of the ancient cemetery in Zfat (Safed).
Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H
The fascinating thing in northern Israel is that, anywhere you go, you stumble over ancient graves from Tannaim (Talmudic Rabbis) or other famous Jewish personalities and Rabbis. You walk around in downtown Tiberias and suddenly you see an ancient building with a blue rooftop or a marked cave. This is usually the sign for another ancient famous grave.
The same when you hike in the Meron area or elsewhere in the Galilee. I find it just an amazing !
Special Offer: SHOFAROT
Shofarot in Jerusalem
Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H
I took the above photo around Rosh HaShana but it is never too late for publishing it.
Special offer in Jerusalem's souvenir shops:The long Yemenite Shofarot.
I haven't checked if the Shofarot on the photo are kosher. Some Japanese tourists walking along got so excited and couldn't stop taking pictures. However, the worst is when Gentile tourists buy a Shofar and then start blowing in very strange ways.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
How to find one's Shidduch (Match)
B"H
A Chabadnik gave a Shiur at "Ascent" in Zfat on "How a religious Jew is going to find his Shidduch (match)". I am not into such things and my honest opinion is that you won't get to know a person after a few Shidduch meetings. As soon as I say this, the frummies usually argue that no one ever really knows his spouse because someone always has his secret personalities.
When you go out with a Shidduch, both of you show their best behaviour and dress up in Sunday's best. Someone once told me that you have to observe how your Shidduch candidate is eating, as this tells a lot about a person. I fully agree to that ! Nevertheless, you look at the person, decide to get married but what is going to happen when you realize your Shidduch's real personality. Lets say he or she doesn't take showers on a regular basis. Wears dirty underwear or all kinds of other things. I wouldn't be able to put up with that.
Whoever is interested in what Rabbi Amram Moyal said about "Finding the perfect Match":
Actually I have heard this from a few friends before: For weeks or even months, they spoke to a Shidduch candidate on the phone and finally they met. The meeting mostly ended in a desaster because while talking on the phone, you make yourself a picture of the other person. Suddenly you see him in real and then you may be disappointed and in shock.
Take your time and if the couple is not able to do so, the Shadchan (Matchmaker) would be allowed to play games such as "He / She still doesn't know if he / she wants you", etc. The intention is to arouse curiosity of one of the candidates.
A Chabadnik gave a Shiur at "Ascent" in Zfat on "How a religious Jew is going to find his Shidduch (match)". I am not into such things and my honest opinion is that you won't get to know a person after a few Shidduch meetings. As soon as I say this, the frummies usually argue that no one ever really knows his spouse because someone always has his secret personalities.
When you go out with a Shidduch, both of you show their best behaviour and dress up in Sunday's best. Someone once told me that you have to observe how your Shidduch candidate is eating, as this tells a lot about a person. I fully agree to that ! Nevertheless, you look at the person, decide to get married but what is going to happen when you realize your Shidduch's real personality. Lets say he or she doesn't take showers on a regular basis. Wears dirty underwear or all kinds of other things. I wouldn't be able to put up with that.
Whoever is interested in what Rabbi Amram Moyal said about "Finding the perfect Match":
1. Never ever talk to your Shidduch candidate on the phone before you see the person in real !
Actually I have heard this from a few friends before: For weeks or even months, they spoke to a Shidduch candidate on the phone and finally they met. The meeting mostly ended in a desaster because while talking on the phone, you make yourself a picture of the other person. Suddenly you see him in real and then you may be disappointed and in shock.
2. Don't make your decision to marry a Shidduch too fast !
Take your time and if the couple is not able to do so, the Shadchan (Matchmaker) would be allowed to play games such as "He / She still doesn't know if he / she wants you", etc. The intention is to arouse curiosity of one of the candidates.
3. Look into the soul of a person and not only whether he / she is good looking !
4. Consider whether you really fit together according to your interests or your Rabbis (if the future spouse would go after your Rabbis).
5. Don't ever go for the idea that when a person has certain bad habits, you are able to fix the person after you get married. This usually never works out !
Friday, October 15, 2010
Eating Bread from a non - Jewish Baker
B"H
In a place where it is difficult to obtain bread from a Jewish baker, bread of a non - Jewish baker may be eaten provided it can be ascertained that:
a) it contains no animal fat, fish - oil, butter, milk or milk - powder.
b) the tins in which it was baked were not greased with trefah (unkosher) fat.
One is not obliged to separate Challah from bread of a non - Jewish bakery.
Where Jewish - baked bread is obtainable, no other bread should be eaten, except for reasons of diet or where non - Jewish bread is of superior quality.
Home - made bread of non - Jews may not be eaten even if the ingredients are kosher.
___________________
Source:
"The new practical guide to Kashrut"
by Rabbi S. Wagschal
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Shabbat Shalom
B"H
"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to all readers from the "wild" North. Until Sunday I am up here in Zfat (Safed) and Tiberias !
Israeli Haredim and the Internet
I have been noticing it for a long time but now an official poll claims that a quarter of Israels Haredim are connected to the Internet. Haredim don't only look for online entertainment but many of them simply work with the Internet. Hightech jobs are IN and most haredi offices are connected to the Internet anyway.
Photo: Chadrei HaCharedim
Life in Zfat (Safed)
B"H
When a Jew who knows something about Yiddishkeit or has some Jewish learning hears about the Israeli northern town of Zfat (Safed), he immediately starts thinking about Kabbalah and Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the "Arizal", 1534 - 1572). Of course, there are other great Rabbis buried on the local cemetery as well such as Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yoseph Karo or Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz. However, many frum Jews see the Kabbalah in Zfat. A cozy atmosphere, a spiritual lifestyle; all in all, a frum life.
All this is real in Zfat, no doubt about that. However, reality is that Zfat can be also extremely secular and not every inhabitant is religious. Despite other opinions, I myself do consider the old city of Zfat as totally religious. Not entirely but very much though. Haredim everywhere and the Chabad Meshichistim have their stronghold downtown. Everyone is able to lead his personal lifestyle but, in the old city, a lot depends on religion and tourism.
But what can you actually do in Zfat besides breathing Yiddishkeit ?
Fact is that you have to live, earn a Parnassah, pay your rent, etc. How are you going to do this without any industry here. Of course, there are industrial areas but those are small and limited. There are plenty of shops but not each of them is offering job opportunities.
Another tourist attraction inside the old city is the Artist Quarter. Hundreds of local artists paint pictures and have their art studios next to each other. While passing, I am constantly asking myself how each of this artists is able to make a living. Not every tourists is just walking into a gallery and schlepping out a painting.
Conclusion:
Rents in Zfat are relatively low but their are just no jobs available.
I am not the Zfat type anyway but love Tiberias (Hebrew: Tveriya). The town at the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) is about 30km down the hill but it has something to offer. Not too much industry either but a large tourist industry. The Tverianim are more down to earth and despite the limited space and cultural events, Tiberias has something to offer.
The advantage of Zfat is that, throughout history, it has never been a place of idol - worship. Sometimes Tiberias is flooded with Christian tourists and this is a little disturbing. At least to me because those crazy Christians are running to their little wooden boats singing and then going wild at their idol - worship sites. Zfat has nothing to offer to Christians except for maybe some paintings in the Artist Quarter.
When a Jew who knows something about Yiddishkeit or has some Jewish learning hears about the Israeli northern town of Zfat (Safed), he immediately starts thinking about Kabbalah and Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the "Arizal", 1534 - 1572). Of course, there are other great Rabbis buried on the local cemetery as well such as Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yoseph Karo or Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz. However, many frum Jews see the Kabbalah in Zfat. A cozy atmosphere, a spiritual lifestyle; all in all, a frum life.
All this is real in Zfat, no doubt about that. However, reality is that Zfat can be also extremely secular and not every inhabitant is religious. Despite other opinions, I myself do consider the old city of Zfat as totally religious. Not entirely but very much though. Haredim everywhere and the Chabad Meshichistim have their stronghold downtown. Everyone is able to lead his personal lifestyle but, in the old city, a lot depends on religion and tourism.
But what can you actually do in Zfat besides breathing Yiddishkeit ?
Fact is that you have to live, earn a Parnassah, pay your rent, etc. How are you going to do this without any industry here. Of course, there are industrial areas but those are small and limited. There are plenty of shops but not each of them is offering job opportunities.
Another tourist attraction inside the old city is the Artist Quarter. Hundreds of local artists paint pictures and have their art studios next to each other. While passing, I am constantly asking myself how each of this artists is able to make a living. Not every tourists is just walking into a gallery and schlepping out a painting.
Conclusion:
Rents in Zfat are relatively low but their are just no jobs available.
I am not the Zfat type anyway but love Tiberias (Hebrew: Tveriya). The town at the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) is about 30km down the hill but it has something to offer. Not too much industry either but a large tourist industry. The Tverianim are more down to earth and despite the limited space and cultural events, Tiberias has something to offer.
The advantage of Zfat is that, throughout history, it has never been a place of idol - worship. Sometimes Tiberias is flooded with Christian tourists and this is a little disturbing. At least to me because those crazy Christians are running to their little wooden boats singing and then going wild at their idol - worship sites. Zfat has nothing to offer to Christians except for maybe some paintings in the Artist Quarter.
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