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The Jewish Story of Safed, Israel

Safed is a city in the Galilee region of Israel. It is one of the oldest Jewish learning and spirituality centers and home to the Kabbalah movement. Located at an altitude of 900 meters (2,953 ft), Safed is the highest city in Galilee and arguably in Israel. It is the birthplace of Lurianic Kabbalah and one of the main bastions for Torah study during the centuries of Ottoman rule.

Along with Hebron, Tiberias, and of course Jerusalem, it is one of the four holiest cities in Judaism. While there are many stories about when it was founded and by whom, it truly grew to prominence in the late 15th century when it became a refuge for Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Safed is a quaint city in the north of Israel. In more recent times, thanks to its beautiful setting surrounded by pine forests and its agreeable mild summers, Safed has developed into a summer holiday spot much frequented by Israelis and also foreign visitors.

It has also become popular as an artists’ colony apart from its religious significance, its nature, and its pleasant summers. Before 1948, most of Safed’s Jewish population used to live in the northern section of the old city. Home to 32 synagogues, it is referred to as the synagogue quarter and includes synagogues named after prominent rabbis from within the town. These include the Abuhav, Alsheich, Caro, and two named for Rabbi Isaac Luria: one Ashkenazi and the other Sephardi. Some of the old, beautiful, and unique synagogues in Safed are rather famous world-wide among the Jewish community. These include: The Ari Ashkenaz and the Ari Sephard synagogues, which are both in memory of Rabbi Isaac Luria.

The Ari Ashkenaz is normally open for visitors on weekdays and boasts an ornate ark. The Ari Sephard synagogue is only open for prayers on the Sabbath. The “Abuhav” synagogue is probably the most unique, beautiful, and well-known out of the rest. Built in the 1490’s, it was built according to the ballistic architectural and spiritual beliefs. Established in the 16th century, the “Caro” synagogue is another popular landmark. It sits on a yeshiva run by one of the chief rabbis of Sefad and a compiler of the Shulchan Aruch, a book of Jewish law. These synagogues, along with many others located in Safed, follow Sephardic traditions. Most synagogues around not only the country but also the world expect all visitors to be dressed appropriately. This means one must have legs covered (no shorts or short skirts), no bare shoulders/upper arms, and all men must cover their heads. (Synagogue personnel provides head covers as well as shawls for travelers who come to visit the sites).

street in safed with shops and businesses — עומר מרקובסקי, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

During the 1950s and 1960s, Safed was known as Israel’s art capital. An artists’ colony established in the old Arab quarter was a hub of creativity that drew artists from around the country. Among them include Yitzhak Frenkel, Yosl Bergner, Moshe Castel, Menachem Shemi, Shimshon Holzman, and Rolly Sheffer. In honor of the 1953 opening of the Glitzenstein Art Museum, artist Mane Katz donated eight of his paintings to the city. Today the area contains a large number of galleries and workshops run by individual artists and art vendors. Some several museums and galleries function in the historical homes of major Israeli artists such as the Frenkel Frenel Museum and the Beit Castel gallery.

Rabbi Yossef Karo is a well renowned figure who has strong ties to Sefad and greatly contributed to life there throughout the 16th century. He learned from both his father and his uncle for nineteen years and was quickly recognized as someone who could dig into the intricacies of Torah learning and solve Torah and Jewish law problems. He was often posed with Jewish law questions and his insights and advice became well known throughout the Jewish community.

exterior of home in safed with blue door — Don Toribio, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In 1537, Rabbi Karo moved to Safed where he started a large Yeshiva. Students from all over came to learn Torah and looked up to Karo as he was a admired mentor to many regarding Jewish law. He completed writing both “Beit Yosef” and “Shulchan Aruch”, which became very important to the Jewish people. These works include all of the laws and customs of Judaism and help to show what a knowledgeableand respected man he was.

The Jewish Story of Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv is the most populous city in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline with a population of 460,613, it is the economic and technological center of the country. Considering East Jerusalem as part of Israel, Tel Aviv is the country’s second-most populous city after Jerusalem; if not, the most populous city before West Jerusalem.

Tel Aviv is governed by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, headed by Mayor Ron Huldai, and is home to many foreign embassies. It is a beta+ world city and is ranked 25th in the Global Financial Centres Index. Despite its size, it contains the third or fourth-largest economy and the largest economy per capita in the Middle East, but has the 31st highest cost of living in the world. Tel Aviv receives over 2.5 million international visitors annually. The city was founded in 1909 by the Yishuv (Jewish residents). It was perceived to be a modern housing estate on the outskirts of the ancient port city of Jaffa, and was considered to be part of the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem within the Ottoman Empire. It was initially called ‘Ahuzat Bayit’ (lit. “House Estate” or “Homestead”), the name of the association that established the neighborhood. The following year, the name changed to ‘Tel Aviv’, after the biblical name ‘Tel Abib’ was adopted by Nahum Sokolow. This was the title for his Hebrew translation of Theodor Herzl’s 1902 novel Altneuland (“Old New Land”).

Additional Jewish suburbs of Jaffa that were established before Tel Aviv eventually became part of the city, the oldest among them being Neve Tzedek, which was established in 1886. Tel Aviv was given “township” status within the Jaffa Municipality in 1921, and became independent from Jaffa in 1934. After the 1947–1949 Palestine War, Tel Aviv began the municipal annexation from parts of Jaffa. Eventually, it became fully unified with Jaffa under the name “Tel Aviv” in April 1950. It was then renamed to the Tel Aviv as we know it today being “Tel Aviv-Yafo” in August 1950. Jewish refugee immigration to Israel was so immense that the growth of Tel Aviv soon outpaced that of Jaffa, which had a majority Arab population. Tel Aviv and Jaffa were later merged into a single municipality, two years after the 1948 Israeli Declaration of Independence. To learn more about this historic day, make sure you stop by Independence Hall.

Tel Aviv’s White City, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, comprises the world’s largest concentration of international style buildings, including Bauhaus and other related modernist architectural styles. There is even a Bauhaus Center dedicated to showcasing the functional yet pristine design movement throughout Tel Aviv. Additional must-see sites include the Tel Aviv Art Museum, which is home to a notable collection of local and international art, Rabin Square, Israel’s most famous plaza dedicated to Yitzhak Rabin, Israel’s Prime Minister who was assassinated after a pro-peace rally, and of course, the infamous Tel Aviv beach promenade. If you’re visiting Israel during the summer and looking to escape the heat and learn more about this city’s history, Tel Aviv is filled with amazing museums like the Eretz Israel Museum, the Palmach Museum, and the Museum of the Jewish People; and conveniently, these museums are located close to one another.

There is no shortage of famous and renowned people who have strong roots in Tel Aviv. One of the most notable and revered is Meir Dizengoff, the first Mayor of Tel Aviv. He is known and respected as someone who had such clear visions and hope for the future of this city. People trusted that he would succeed in making his visions come to come to life and he constantly did. Dizengoff was active in the Hibbat Zion Movement and later formed a Jewish workers’ organization. He participated in Zionist Congresses and was a founder of the Gulah Company, formed in 1904 to purchase land in Israel. He additionally founded The Ahuzat Bayit Company, organized to establish a modern Jewish quarter near the Arab city of Jaffa in 1909.

When Tel Aviv officially became a city in 1921, Dizengoff was elected as its first mayor and served until the end of his life in 1937. Upon the outbreak of the 1936 Arab riots, Dizengoff urged that the government offices be opened in Tel Aviv and succeeded in establishing a separate port at Tel Aviv, independent of Jaffa and its port. Dizengoff was one of the major initiators and dedicated supporters of culture in Israel. A highly spiritual, yet social individual he encouraged cultural life in all its variations. To this day, Tel Aviv has followed Dizengoff’s life interests and has become the center of a bustling and vibrant life. Chaim Topol is a Tel Aviv born Israeli actor who is best known for playing the character of ‘Tevye’, a dairyman, in the musical comedy-drama ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ on stage and screens in his career. He is a man of many talents – not only is he a great actor but also a singer, producer, comedian, voice artist, and illustrator. As an Israeli, he has achieved many features in the international stage of the show business, including being the first-ever Israeli to be nominated for the Academy Awards.

36 Hours in Jerusalem

Visiting Jerusalem in a short amount of time can be a real challenge. Every corner is a testimony to the history that forged the city. I moved to Jerusalem 20 years ago after emigrating from Gibraltar and I continue to discover the city’s secrets each day.

On a chilly but sunny morning in Jerusalem, the first step would undoubtedly be the Old city. Divided into four quarters – Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim – surrounded by a magnificent fortress, walking around is a must to feel the depth of its history. You can enter the Old City through the Jaffa Gate welcomed by the Tower of David Citadel, dating back more than 3,000 years and subsequently rebuilt by the Mamluk during the Ottoman period. Numerous street food booths, quaint cafes and souvenir shops await your arrival. Once through the Armenian Patriarchate, you would be amazed by the beauty of the St. James Cathedral built to commemorate the first bishop of Jerusalem – St. James Minor. It is one of the rare remaining cathedrals from the Crusades. A few metres away you can visit St. Mark’s Chapel, a fascinating Syriac Orthodox church. Then, you head to the Jewish quarter and pass by the Hurva Synagogue and the Katros House – testaments to the history of both Temples of Jerusalem.

After continuing your way downstairs with a stop at the artistic shops in the Cardo byzantine, you will arrive at the Western or Wailing Wall (Kotel), the only remaining wall of the Second Temple. Near the Western Wall, you will find a gate to ascend to the Temple Mount and visit the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa. There pilgrims can visit the beautiful mosques, pray and walk around the most expansive plaza in the city. Walking across the Temple Mount will lead you to the heart of the Muslim quarter, with an indulgent market filled with spices and products. Leaving the market up Via Dolorosa, you will enter the Christian quarter. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre hosts the Tomb of Jesus and bears witness to his journey. Around the courtyard of this Church, you could also visit the Mosque of Omar and the Al-Khanqah al-Salahiyya Mosque, adorned with almost identical minarets equidistant to the door of the Tomb of Jesus.

With all of this walking around, you’re probably hungry. I suggest you head over to a delicious gourmet breakfast at Mahane Yehuda Market which is our shuk (souk). Now it’s time to delight your taste buds! Jerusalem cuisine is a fusion of Middle Eastern and Western cuisine. I would strongly recommend stopping by the “Atelier” where Chef Tali Friedman will invite you to cook a feast with the high-quality ingredients you will pick yourselves in the market, and eat in her restaurant overlooking the hustle and bustle of the market. In the evening, stroll through the market to enjoy live bar music, and once again enjoy the contrasts from the traditional to the modern.

On the second day, book your breakfast at the legendary five-star King David hotel. Opened in 1931 under the British Mandate, the hotel hosted heads of state and famous personalities – among them King Abdullah I of Jordan, Margaret Thatcher and Madonna. Following breakfast, head to the Israel Museum and the Bible Lands Museum. In the first one, you will receive a complete glance of the history of Israel and precious objects including the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are 2,000 years old ancient manuscripts of the Bible discovered near the Dead Sea as well as a model of Jerusalem during the Roman Empire. The Bible Lands Museum allows you to explore the early Canaanite civilisations. From this hill of museums, snap a few photos of the view of Jerusalem and the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament.

While your 36 hours in Jerusalem might be finished at this point, there is so much more to see and experience. As you leave the city, you will most likely already be planning your next visit and we can’t wait to see you again soon. What makes our city unique is a combination of the history rooted here, the modern economy being built here, and our people. We’re very excited to welcome you.

Written by Fleur Hassan-Nahoum on January 18, 2021

Original link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business-and-technology-review/36-hours-in-jerusalem

The Jewish Story of Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem is an Israeli city in the Middle East sitting on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and is considered holy according to the three major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim Jerusalem as their capital, a place where Israel maintains its primary governmental institutions, while the State of Palestine ultimately foresees it as its seat of power. However, neither claim is widely internationally recognized.

The History of Jerusalem

Throughout its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times. The segment of Jerusalem known as the City of David shows the first signs of settlement in the 4th millennium BCE in the shape of encampments of nomadic shepherds. In the Canaanite period (14th century BCE), Jerusalem was named Urusalim on ancient Egyptian tablets, probably meaning “City of Shalem” after a Canaanite deity. During the Israelite period, significant construction in Jerusalem began in the 9th century BCE (Iron Age II). In the 8th century, the city developed into the religious and administrative center of the Kingdom of Judah. In 1538, the city walls were rebuilt for the last time around Jerusalem under Suleiman the Magnificent.

Today those walls define the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four-quarters—known since the early 19th century as the Armenian, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Quarters. The Old City became a World Heritage Site in 1981, and is on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Since 1860, Jerusalem has grown far beyond the Old City’s boundaries. In 2015, Jerusalem had a population of some 850,000 residents, comprising approximately 200,000 secular Jewish Israelis, 350,000 Haredi Jews, and 300,000 Palestinians. In 2016, the population was 882,700, of which Jews comprised 536,600 (60.8%), Muslims 319,800 (36.2%), Christians 15,800 (1.8%), and 10,300 unclassified (1.2%). Some of the top sites to see in Jerusalem include the famous outdoor market, Shuk Machane Yehuda, the City of David, and Mount Zion.

According to the Bible, King David conquered the city from the Jebusites and established it as the capital of the united kingdom of Israel, while his son, King Solomon, commissioned the building of the First Temple. Modern scholars argue that Jews branched out of the Canaanite people and culture through the development of a distinct monolatrous – and later monotheistic – religion centered on El/Yahweh, These foundational events, straddling the dawn of the 1st millennium BCE, assumed central symbolic importance for the Jewish people. The sobriquet of holy city was probably attached to Jerusalem in post-exilic times. The holiness of Jerusalem in Christianity, conserved in the Septuagint, which Christians adopted as their own authority, was reinforced by the New Testament account of Jesus’s crucifixion. In Sunni Islam, Jerusalem is the third-holiest city, after Mecca and Medina. In Islamic tradition, in 610 CE it became the first qibla, the focal point for Muslim prayer (salat), and Muhammad made his Night Journey there ten years later, ascending to heaven where he speaks to God, according to the Quran. As a result, despite having an area of only 0.9 square kilometres (0.35 sq mi), the Old City is home to many sites of seminal religious importance, among them the Temple Mount with its Western Wall, Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Outside the Old City stands the Garden Tomb.

Famous Figures in Jerusalem

There is no lack of renowned and well-known people originating from Jerusalem. It has produced several famous actresses, emperors, kings, historians, political leaders, and a variety of other personalities from multiple spheres. While some might be from different eras, or currently reside in other locations, these people will always have inherent Jerusalem roots bringing them back home to the Land of Israel. One of the most renowned and respected people originating from Jerusalem – Yitzhak Rabin, the 5th Prime Minister of Israel who served the country from 1974–1977 and from 1992 until his assassination in 1995. While in office, Rabin implemented the daring operation to rescue the Israeli hostages at Entebbe. Two other major events that took place during Rabin’s second term were the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and the peace treaty with Jordan. These achievements fetched him international accolades, as he was honored with International Nobel Peace Prize (1994) and The Ronald Reagan Freedom Award. On November 4, 1995, Rabin was assassinated by a Jewish right-wing extremist in Tel Aviv and became the only Prime Minister to be assassinated in the history of Israel.

We must not forget about all the successors who came before us. King Solomon ruled the United Monarchy of Israel for an unprecedented 40 years. Also referred to as Jedidiah, he was born in Jerusalem and reigned from 970 BC as the third king of the United Monarchy. According to the Hebrew Bible, he constructed the First Temple in ancient Jerusalem, also called the Solomon’s Temple around the 10th century BCE. During his monarchy, King Solomon built many significant buildings in Jerusalem. He built the infrastructure to provide water supply in the city and constructed the Milo as a defense for the city. He was additionally a prolific author and created a large array of works. His writings include, ‘The Book of Proverbs’, ‘Ecclesiastes’, ‘Song of Solomon’ and ‘Book of the Wisdom of Solomon’.

Holiday of Holidays

The Holiday of Holidays, also known as Chag HaChagim in Hebrew, is an annual celebration of Haifa’s religious and cultural diversity. This event is held every December to mark the Hanukkah, Christmas, and Ramadan holidays for Jews, Christians, and Muslims living peacefully together in Haifa.

It includes food stands, antique fairs, arts and crafts fairs, music, circuses, and street celebrations.

The festival is an initiative of Beit Ha’Gefen – Arab-Jewish Cultural Center, and the Haifa Municipality, which was founded in 1993 and takes place in Beit Ha’Gefen and Wadi Nisnas and the German Colony in Haifa.

The aim of the festival is to promote and foster tolerance and mutual respect through culture and art.

The festival presents art exhibitions, artist meetings, and various performances with an emphasis on cultural diversity in Haifa and Israel.

The works are displayed both in the public space – the alleys of the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood coming to the German Colony, Haifa, and in the Beit Hagefen Gallery and this year also on billboards throughout the Hadar neighborhood – a special exhibition by Haifa artists!

The Holiday of Holidays festival is the culmination of the year of activity at Beit Ha’Gefen, and is designed in the spirit of the values of Beit Ha’Gefen.
Our activities are based on the belief that interpersonal acquaintance and encounter with another culture, its stories, cultural and spiritual assets, are important for breaking down barriers and building trust between different nationalities, ethnic and religious groups in Haifa and Israel.

Photo credit: Shaula Haitner Pikiwiki Israel

Chateau Blanc

We are a private, family owned kosher compliant bed and breakfast facility in Cuba focused on travelers looking for upscale accommodations at an affordable price. Complete with brand new modern rooms, premium food and beverage services and a friendly and knowledgeable staff, we are committed to making your stay a most enjoyable experience.

Israel Private Tours | Touring with Tami

We are a family of tour guides in Israel, fluent in English and Hebrew. We specialize in private tours for any size group, and especially love taking families and tight-knit groups of friends. We will help you customize a trip to fit your interests and schedule. Anything from exhilarating tornado boat rides in Akko to historical landmarks and kevarim. We love this country and we love sharing it with others!

Borscht and Bagel Tour

The Jewish history in Moscow and St. Petersburg is relatively modern. After the February Revolution of 1917 which guaranteed civil rights to all Russian citizens regardless of their nationality and faith, the Jewish community started growing in both capitals allowing jews to participate in all spheres of the economical and political life of the country.

Allow us to take you on a 9-day fascinating journey and share the stories of the Russian Jewish community through time.

-Visit the places connected with the cultural, religious, and political life of the Russian Jews.
-Walk the streets of these grand cities with our expert guide to plunge yourself into the life and history of the country.
-Taste kosher food with a local flavor
-Get to know the vibrant Jewish life of modern Russia. Meet with people and participate in numerous events.
-Visit also the must-see sites in both cities.
-Admire the art collections of the major art galleries of both capitals.
-Learn what it was like to live under the KGB’s watchful eye.

The hotels in both cities are conveniently located near the Synagogues and are friendly to Jewish needs.

Jo Ator

Our walking tour company – Frankfurt on Foot, offers a Daily Tour at 10:00
We also offer a wide variety of personalized private tours:
Jewish Heritage
Rat-Beil Jewish Cemetery
3rd Reich in Frankfurt
Main Cemetery
Berlin Airlift
Frankfurt Alt Stadt
Day tours on the Rhein

Yshai Levi

My name is Yshai Levi and I live in Tel Aviv, with my wife, Tal and our two beautiful children, Gaya and Itai.
I have been a licensed tour guide in Israel and abroad for more than 25 years.
I studied history, philosophy and computer science at the Tel Aviv University.
I hold a MBA degree in marketing from Bar Ilan University.
I served as Educational commander in the Israeli Army.
I studied for 2 years to become a tour guide licensed by the ministry of tourism. We studied everything from geology through history and religion, all around Israel.
I speak Hebrew, English , Spanish and Portugese.
I guide mostly pilgrims from all over the world, coming to see the Bible come to life, walking the same path our ancestors did so many years ago, as it is written in the Bible.
Towards the end of 2000, I started a 14 year career as a quality assurance engineer and manager at various high tech companies.
Although, when the kids grew I returned to my real love – and opened my business – Quality Tours – specializing with tailor made tours for business travelers and pilgrims .
I love everything about history, geography and archaeology! Exploring the beauty that Israel has to offer is my passion!

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