Sep 22, 2011

Walking in Neve Tzedek

Neve Tzedek (Oasis of Justice) is actually the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv. This neighborhood was founded in 1887 by Aharon Shlush, 22 years before Tel Aviv was founded. Shlush was a successful businessman who wanted to escape the crowded living quarters of Jaffa, and founded this neighborhood. Later, Neve tzedek was connected to Achuzat Bayit to form baby Tel Aviv. Many of the neighborhoods turn of the century houses can still be seen, and while the neighborhood has gone yuppie in the past years, it has retained much of its old charm.

You can still visit the Shlush house, which now houses art exhibits, and see the small synagogue that Shlush built to encourage Jews to leave Jaffa. Nearby is Shlush bridge which was built for Mr. Shlush after the old Jaffa-Jerusalem railway was constructed. This used to run in the canal under the bridge.




On Rochach st. (a 2 minute walk) you can see ‘Beit Hasofrim’ (house of writers) which housed many famous writers and is now the Nachum Gutman Museum. Nearby is the Rokach house, built for the Rokach family in 1887 by an Austrian architect, in a special European style including copper plated domes. The Rokach family have been prominent figures in Tel Aviv political life for over a century. Close by on Pines st. (pronounced penis) you can see the twin buildings built by Aharon Shlush for his two grandsons.

Neve Tzedek is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek

Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek
The Neighborhood's History

South of the Yemenite Quarter, Neve Tzedek was the first neighborhood built in the “new” city of Tel Aviv, back in 1887. At the beginning of the 20th century Neve Tzedek was the home of many artists and writers, such as Brenner and Agnon (a Nobel Prize winning author).

But in the following years the area suffered from neglect, the old houses and streets crumbling away. Only in the 1980's, the place recaptured its former prestige, and has since become a stylish yuppie residence with plenty of restaurants, galleries and designer shops.

The architecture of Neve Tzedek is definitely one of the highlights in the area. Beautiful old houses restored to grandeur by modern architects and designers.

Around the Neighborhood

The Rokach House - One of the first houses in Neve Tzedek, which belonged to the well-known Rokach family. In the late 80's the house was restored by Lea Majaro Mintz, the granddaughter of the original owner.

The Suzzane Dellal Center – Tel Aviv's official dance center and home of the famous Bat-Sheva dance group. Besides offering excellent dance and theatre performances, there is a beautiful piazza and small gardens around the building. http://www.suzannedellal.org.il.

Chlouche House - This house was the first house built in Neve Tzedek in 1886 by Aharon Chlouche. The house was sold to an Israeli business man and has been operating since 2003 as an art gallery hosting temporary exhibitions. Israelis would say it gives them a "European sensation", with its high ceilings and 19th century look. You can stand on the roof top, which has a gorgeous view of Neve Tzedek, while enjoying a light breeze from the sea.


Shopping in Neve Tzedek

There are many gorgeous little shops in the area, especially on Shabazi Street. You can find designer shops, children's clothes, art, pottery and many more boutique shops, which would make even the most reserved shopping fan ecstatic. You can get a bite to eat in the many cafes and restaurants in the area.

Neve Tzedek's narrow streets constantly turn up new surprises .

Neve Tzedek may well be one of Tel Aviv’s oldest districts , but its still young at heart! Newe Tzedek or Neve Tsedek, as it is also known is another district of Tel Aviv which has become increasingly fashionable in recent years, as restoration works have taken place to restore it to its former glory.

History of Neve Tzedek

Neve Tzedek was established in 1887, over 20 years before the City of Tel Aviv was created. Similarly though, it was created by a group of families seeking a peaceful life outside of overcrowded Jaffa. Desiring a more simple life, the new residents constructed colourful, low buildings along narrow streets with then-modern luxuries such as private bathrooms and toilets.

By the start of the 1900′s Neve Tzedek, had become an oasis for many artists and writers including future Nobel prize laureate Shmuel Yosef Agnon, and famous Hebrew artist Nahum Gutman.









The Suzanne Delall Center


As time went on, though, and the City of Tel Aviv developed, Neve Tzedek fell into decay. The North of the city, developed by the wealthier Ashkenazi (European Jews) attracted many of the richer residents of the south, and as they left, buildings began to fall into neglect. So much so, that by the 1960s, city officials deemed Neve Tzedek, which was now part of the city of Tel Aviv, a run down slum-like area, incompatible with the bustling North. They planned to demolish the neighborhood and construct high-rise apartment blocks. Thankfully, however, these plans never came to fruition, and as many buildings were placed on preservation lists, a new breath of life was breathed into Neve Tzedek as restoration works began in the 1980′s. The result has been that Neve Tzedek has grown into an oasis of tranquility in the bustling city, a real estate and cultural hotspot.

Visiting Neve Tzedek: Neve Tzedek is today a real oasis in the bustling city of Tel Aviv. The magnificent buildings are all individual, and a relaxing stroll through the neighborhood is a great way to spend some time. Shabazi Street is the main street through Neve Tzedek and, like many of the smaller side passages, is lined with with boutiques, galleries, and craft shops. The Suzanne Dellal Center is Tel Aviv’s dance center with a superb piazza and interesting gardens, whilst popular cafe Suzanna shouldn’t be missed.

Shops in Neve Tzedek are unique. The small, narrow streets are home to small unique boutiques, design shops and other fascinating shops which you could even think are not shops.

Restaurants and cafes in Neve Tzedek offer the full range of food that Tel Aviv has become known for. There is something magical about sitting out in the shaded courtyard of an Oriental style building with the sea breeze cooling you, enjoying a great light meal…


Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek

Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek

Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek

Tel Aviv - Neve Tzedek




Sep 20, 2011

Caminamos por Tel Aviv – Neve Zedek » El secreto de los anillos urbanos – La Poesia de mi anillo » La Boutique de los Anillos

Caminamos por Tel Aviv – Neve Zedek » El secreto de los anillos urbanos – La Poesia de mi anillo » La Boutique de los Anillos

Visitando las calles de Tel Aviv con primos Argentinos.

Desde el centro de Tel Aviv a Neve Zedek, donde se construyeron las primeras casas de Tel Aviv y hoy es un barrio precioso lleno de boutiques, barcitos, galerias y lugares historicos.

Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv



Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv

Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv
Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv

Visitando Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv - Susan Dalal el teatro de danza
Visitando Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv - Susan Dalal el teatro de danza mural sobre la historia de Tel Aviv

Visitando Neve Zedek en Tel Aviv - Susan Dalal el teatro de danza mural sobre la historia de Tel Aviv


La historia de Neve Zedek
Veintidós años antes de la fundación de Tel Aviv, los judíos abandonaron las murallas de Yaffo y construyeron Neve Tzedek en sus aledaños. Estas bellísimas casas y calles restauradas conservan todo el encanto de los primeros asentamientos urbanos judíos.

Los judíos ya vivían fuera de los límites de Yaffo desde 22 años antes de fundar Tel Aviv, en un barrio denominado Neve Tzedek. En la actualidad, esta pintoresca zona está repleta de tiendas, galerías, cafés y restaurantes con estilo; célebre por su cultura y su forma de vida, Neve Tzedek es un lugar encantador para caminar y observar.

Un paseo por el barrio de Neve Tzedek es algo que no se pueden perder los románticos, los amantes de la historia y los aficionados a los pequeños callejones. Aquí es donde se creó el primer cine de la ciudad en 1914.

El Museo Nahum Gutman se encuentra aquí, en la casa del artista que inmortalizó los primeros días de Tel Aviv y los paisajes de Yaffo en sus coloridos cuadros. Aquí también podrá encontrar la peculiar Rokach House, convertida ahora en museo privado de escultura y de la familia de la escultora Lea Majaro-Mintz, nieta del constructor de la casa y del primer líder de la comunidad de Neve Tzedek, Shimon Rokach.

A principios del siglo XX, Neve Tzedek fue hogar de célebres escritores, artistas y líderes espirituales, como el Premio Nobel de Literatura S.Y. Agnon y el Gran Rabino de Tel Aviv Avraham Kook.

Fundado por familias judías este barrio recibió el sobrenombre de “Pequeña París” debido a sus sorprendentes innovaciones arquitectónicas.

En la actualidad, el lugar más destacado es el Centro Suzan Dalal, complejo dedicado a la danza y al teatro.

Sep 17, 2011

Rosh Hashana food traditions | Judaica - Jewish symbols - Israel specials

Symbolic foods

Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples and honey, to symbolize a sweet new year. Various other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local minhag ("custom"), such as cooked tongue or other meat from the head of an animal or fish (to symbolize the "head" of the year).

Foods consumed with the Yehi Ratzons vary depending on the community. Some of the symbolic foods eaten are dates.
Pomegranates are used in many traditions, to symbolize being fruitful like the pomegranate with its many seeds.
Apple with honey rosh hashana dish
The use of apples and honey, symbolizing a sweet year, is a late medieval Ashkenazi addition, though it is now almost universally accepted. Typically, round challah bread is served, to symbolize the cycle of the year. Gefilte fish and Lekach are commonly served by Ashkenazic Jews on this holiday. On the second night, new fruits are served to warrant inclusion of the shehecheyanu blessing, the saying of which would otherwise be doubtful (as the second day is part of the "long day" mentioned above).


Other symbolic foods are eaten in a special Rosh Hashanah Seder, particularly in the Sephardic and Mizrahi communities. Symbolic foods are eaten in a ceremony called the Yehi Rasones or Yehi Ratzones.


Pomegranate symbol jewels and gifts

Yehi Ratzon means "May it be Your will", and is the name of the ceremony because it is traditional to eat foods symbolic of a good year and to recite a short prayer beginning with the Hebrew words "Yehi Ratson" ("May it be Your will") over each one, with the name of the food in Hebrew or Aramaic often presenting a play on words or pun in Hebrew or Aramaic. The foods eaten at this time have thus become known as "yehi ratsones". Typical foods, often served on a large platter called a Yehi Ratson platter, eaten by modern Sephardic Jews include apples dipped in honey, or baked or sometimes in the form of a compote called mansanada; dates; pomegranates, or black eyed peas; pumpkin in the form of savory pumpkin-filled pastries called rodanchas; leeks in the form of fritters called keftedes de prasa; beets usually baked and peeled; and the head of a fish: usually a fish course with a whole fish, head intact. It is also common to symbolize a year filled with blessings by eating foods with stuffing on Rosh Hashanah such as a stuffed, roast bird or a variety of stuffed vegetables called legumbres yaprakes.
Honey dish for Rosh Hashana
A major significant symbol of Rosh HaShanah include the apples, honey and round loaves of challah. Apple slices dipped in honey represent our hope for a sweet new year and are traditionally accompanied by a short prayer before eating that goes: "May it by Thy will, O Lord, Our God, to grant us a year that is good and sweet." Challah, which is usually baked into braids, is shaped into round loaves of bread on Rosh HaShanah. The circular shape symbolizes the continuation of life.

On the second night of Rosh HaShanah it is customary to eat a fruit that is new to us for the season, saying the shehechiyanu blessing as we eat it to thank God for bringing us to this season. Pomegranates are a popular choice because Israel is often praised for its pomegranates and because, according to legend, pomegranates contain 613 seeds one for each of the 613 mitzvot. Another reason for eating pomegranates on Rosh HaShanah has to do with the symbolic hope that our good deeds in the coming year will be as many as the seeds of the fruit.