Steinbergs in Israel: November 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

FW: Steinbergs in Israel - Amirim Pt3

I need to catch up to the present day quickly, because it is hard to write about items from almost a week ago, especially when you're sitting having breakfast beside the Dead Sea with ibex around you and the sun is glistening over the water...

Tues 24th - Horse-ride & Qatsrin: Ariel brought his horse down to Joys while we were there for b'fast. He took each of the girls for a walk-ride up to the airplane memorial and back. They enjoyed sitting on top of a beautiful golden horse. Went to Qatsrin for much of the day. It's a reconstructed 1500yo. village, with a good movie about old jewish times. The weather was a little bit damp, and after we went to Dria's for dinner - yummy pasta.

Wed 25th - Tzfat walk & Rosh Pina & Dinner: spent most of the day in Tzfat. We (I) didn't get around to hiring a tour guide to take us around, but they are about 150shek's p.hr and our first 3 hrs were mostly taken up with toilets and b'fast in a cheese factory, so it probably would've been a bit wasteful. We walked the streets[&steps!] and had a fantastic time anyway - saw hundreds of blue doors, some magnificent Shuls (Abuhov), went into a museum showing old houswares, stories and items of tzfat, the Artists Colony, the shopping strip (more shops... no thanks) and had lunch in a central square/park.
Went to Rosh Pina to find my Grampa's house (Rishonim) and went down to the cave underneath where the old olive press is. Then walked across the valley to the old cemetery and walked all the way up to the oldest graves as the sun was setting - a great experience.
Came back to a huge family dinner at Joy's house. Ariel is a great cook with his special stuffed mushrooms and the roast potatoes were yum.

Thurs 26th - Teverya (Tiberias) & Hamat Gader & pizza night!
Sat by the Kineret at the promenade in Teverya for breakfast at ChocDee. Another calm, warm & quiet day. It was very beautiful sitting there by ourselves and our massive b'fast - i imagine during summer that promenade area would jam-packed.
We walked around Teverya for an hour and paid our respects to the Kever's of Rambam and the Tana'im.
Drove down to Hamat Gader on the Jordanian border. Saw a cute parrot show, lots of alligators, crocs, kaymans and another type i forgot - threw them a sausage and they went a bit berserk!(don't tell). Then went for a dip in the hot springs which we all really enjoyed, espcially in the really hot pool. If you ever want to know what a lobster feels like.....
Finished off with pizza night at Joy's. I had a drink (or 2) with the boys. Lhasa makes a very drinkable white wine, and Netta looks us after us so much. They're all such mensche's.

Fri 27th - Goodbye Amirim, too long a drive with stopover (a brief relief) in Kibbutz NirDavid, hello Gedera for Shabbos: Its always sad to say goodbye to Amirim, and it wasn't even a fleeting visit - we were there for 8 nights! I am going back there on the last day for a memorial service to Uncle Bert. The whole drive from Amirim i was a bit stressed because Shabbos comes in at 4pm - and we visited Dria&Erez and family in Kibbutz NirDavid on the way (minor detour). She helped to calm me down as the kids fed fish in the lake and she made us a nice lunch to take with. Greatly appreciated. Arrived in Gedera with a few minutes to spare and then we all RELAXED in the warm hospitality of the Yacobinski family. I was given the honour of making kiddush and then sat down to a sumptuous feast in a nice happy family atmosphere, just like being at home.
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More to follow - must run off to Massada now
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Sat 28th - Shabbos at the Yacobinski's - yay!
Sun 29th - Drive to EinGedi (via J'lem)
Mon 30th - Massada morning then .....

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Amirim Pt3

I meant to add on Sun22nd that after we got back from dinner in RP, Talia, Gaby & I went with Peter to pick up the olive oil (from the olives we helped to pick on Friday morning) that had been processed at a local farm. In a shed about 300sqm (not that big) we got to see the entire olive oil process - a real education: The olives get dumped in a hopper, then up a conveyor belt and as they fall into a washer the leaves/rubbish gets blown away by a fan, olives sieved out then into the 1st crusher which is basically like a 2000y.o. stone wheel, then that mush is sent into a 2nd modern st.steel crusher, then the liquid is decanted away from all the solids, and then finally into a centrifuge which separates the oil from the water... Simple!

Mon 23rd - Kfar Nachum (Capernaum) & Ani'am & Agamon Hachula: Bit of driving around, went first to Capernaum to see the 'white' synagogue. I actually didn't realise how big a 'yoshka' tourist site it is, which was a bit of an experience for all the girls (another form of education). Our time there ended with a game of searching the stone works to find reliefs of magen-davids, menorahs, rimonim, etc. We then drove to a new moshav called Ani'Am which has setup a very cute little artists village, almost like a pedestrian mall, but in the middle of the country-side. Each merchant is is their own modern house/hut. It was nice for a little break and some quiet window shopping.
In the last hour before sunset we organised to meet the Peterson family at Agamon Hachula - a bird reserve. This is a big wetlands in which migrating birds on their way from Russia to Africa make a stopover. At first it was a little unimpressive, but then....... In the last 10mins before the sky went dark (about 15mins after sunset), all of a sudden SWARMS (not flocks) of birds descended around us. Truly extraordinary. Check out the video on the Picasa link below. Alpaim al alpaim al alpaim al alpaim. Thousands upon thousands. Wow.
We all then went to dinner at some crappy Arab road diner. It was a lot of fun, and a good feed, and great company with all the kids there.

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More tomorrow... Just have to quickly write about how nice a shabbos we've just had in Gedera with Rochelle's family - Dudu&Irit. Such nice people, a wonderful family and they treated us with the best hospitality. Our greatest appreciation and gratitude to them all.
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Tues 24th - Horse-ride & Qatsrin
Wed 25th - Tzfat walk & Rosh Pina & Dinner
Thurs 26th - Teverya (Tiberias) & Hamat Gader
Fri 27th - Goodbye Amirim, too long a drive with stopover (a brief relief) in Kibbutz NirDavid, hello Gedera for Shabbos
Sat 28th - Shabbos - yay!
Sun 29th - Drive to EinGedi (via J'lem)

Steinbergs in Israel - Amirim part2

So yesterday morning at 7am i wrote another few days details for about half an hour, and then proceeded to save it by pressing the delete button. Isn't that how you save things?..... Not.
Ka'asti.

Sat 21st - Shabbat, a day of rest - YAY!: Had a beautiful dinner at Joys. She made some meatballs(tofu...) which were yummy. In the morning i walked to the Amirim village Shul, and Rochelle and the girls followed about an hr later. It was a beautiful, calm and warm day, and the service and people were also calm and warm. We went down to the park afterwards then went back to our cottage for schnitzel & cholent. In the afternoon I walked with Talia&Gab down (and then UP) the hill to Dria's (about 25mins). Erez drove us back after Shabbat. Then we hopped in the car and went for dinner at Burger Ranch in Rosh Pina. RP is such a cool place. Its very clean and neat, and an excellent mix of old with new - especially 2 mini Kanyonim(shopping malls) which are super modern. Very chic.

Sun 22nd - Acco Fortress with Jonny & Rosh Hanikra & Oil pickup: Went to the Acco fortress and met Jonny at the lighthouse. As he showed us around and we saw his handiwork there (with Reshut Ha'Atikot - Antiquities) all the locals were saying hello to him, so we were honoured to be with him. After a brief lunch by the water - another calm and sunny day - we ventured up to the grottos at Rosh Hanikra. The water was crystal clear, and perfect for taking photos. We had heard from others that had been down there on a cold, wet, blustery day that they were taking their life in their hands going in the Grottos in crashing waves - not so for us B''H. After the grottos we drove back to Rosh Pina for dinner (i know again) along the border road with Lebanon. It was quite amazing as it is high up in the rolling hills, with spectacular views into Israel [and Lebanon]. Dinner at a pub/cafe/restaurant called Rene. Good pasta is always a winner with us...

Mon 23rd - Kfar Nachum (Capernaum) & Ani'am & Agamon Hachula
Tues 24th - Horse-ride & Qatsrin
Wed 25th - Tzfat walk & Rosh Pina & Dinner
Thurs 26th - Teverya (Tiberias) & Hamat Gader

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Amirim

This week we have stayed in Moshav Amirim in a cottage on the side of a mountain overlooking Teverya and the Galilee, with lots of good ol' hospitality provided by our cousins - the Peterson family. We've had a really great time, and haven't exerted ourselves, but have been doing so much everyday that we haven't had time to write an email/blog update. (You can be lucky sometimes...) We've had great weather all week, although i think everyone really wants a LOT more rain. Just today at b'fast we saw that the Kinneret appears to be at least 5 metres lower - unfortunately makes a bit for pathetic viewing at the boat docks around the Teverya-Kinneret promenade.

Thurs 19th - l'hitraot yerushalayim & hello amirim: arrived on Thursday at about 6pm, just in time for pizza night - a la Ariel. Yum yum yum pizza.
Fri 20th - Amirim olive picking & Tzfat Shabbat shopping: a rather quick day because Shabbos is coming in so early now (3.55pm). A few days a year, all the Peterson boys (& husbands) go to a friends olive grove and pick/hack as many olives as humanly possible, for their annual supply of olive oil. We were very lucky to be able to go and help for an hour and experience their 'harvest' 1st hand. Jonny climbed up the tree and cut off a whole lot of branches and we all crowded around beating the c**p out of them. All the olives drop off onto large nets on the floor, and then Peter gathers them into sacks for taking to the olive press (see Sunday). We then went to Tzfat and went for a walk along Jerusalem St, with 2 objectives - a. buy Dria's Yaari a 6th b'day present (she wanted boots), b. buy some ready-made Shabbos food. Accomplished both tasks well and got back to Amirim by 3.00pm, in time for Yaari's little family party and cake(what a cake - see the pics). And for shabbos dinner, Joy made the most fantastic little Tofu patties.
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very tired... Going to sleep now... I'll fill the rest in hopefully tomorrow.(such a shame to leave here)
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Sat 21st - Shabbat, a day of rest - YAY!
Sun 22nd - Acco Fortress with Jonny & Rosh Hanikra & Oil pickup
Mon 23rd - Kfar Nachum (Capernaum) & Ani'am & Agamon Hachula
Tues 24th - Horse-ride & Qatsrin
Wed 25th - Tzfat walk & Rosh Pina & Dinner
Thurs 26th - Teverya (Tiberias) & Hamat Gader

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Jerusalem-Amirim

Said goodbye to Yerushalayim, our home of 2 months(sorry to go). Picked up family sabel from the airport - they're taking over our rental there while we tour around. Drove up to Moshav Amirim, near Tzfat, and arrived just in time for pizza night at our family Peterson's bakery. Then came back to our A-frame and had a nice early night. Woke up early to a beautiful sunrise over the Kineret. Soon we'll have breakfast at Joys and then we're going to get in the car and drive to see all the Peterson boys picking olives in a nearby grove for the family's annual supply of oil. We're going to watch them grind the olives on Sunday at a local factory. Might also try to get to Capernaum and/or Teverya today. This is one of the best places in the world. Love it, love it, love it.
PRTGEH

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Patriarchs&Matriarchs

Today was our last day of exploring Jerusalem and it was actually the first time we have paid someone to take us on a tour! We hired an armoured van to drive us first to Kever Rachel (Bet Lehem) and then Ma'arat Hamachpela (Chevron).

Getting to Kever Rachel was a bit of an eye opener - you travel on a narrow road and the massive concrete barrier fence runs along each side of the road. It feels like a tight squeeze, and perhaps even more claustrophobic than a tunnel. Kever Rachel is a beautiful complex at the end of that road - surrounded by the barrier wall and army checkpoint towers.

After that we travelled to the Maarat Hamachpela. It was pretty much a new experience for all of us - seeing the tombs of the p/matriarchs (with Arab writing around them and covering them!) - and was of course very special and the girls definitely understood the significance. In fact, to the girls credit (inc. Hannah) during our 1.5hrs at the tomb they were very mature and solemn and didn't play up at all (I didn't realise that until now...). Anyway, we lit memorial candles, we davened mincha in the courtyard in between the kevers, we said a tehillim, said a bracha for the Maarat, gave a donation, and took photos.

It was a good day, and of course most incredible when we reflected that today we had stood literally beside Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Sarah,Rivka,Rachel&Leah(and don't forget Adam&Eve and Esav's head!)... It's not just words from a book anymore.

Tomorrow we get packed up to drive to Amirim (tzafon-north) for a week.

Love
The Steinbergs

Monday, November 16, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - archaeology, dead sea, malcha mall, shabbos, samson & samuel

The last few days have been interesting...
Thursday 12th was one of our best days here. That morning we did archaeology sifting for 2-3hrs in the morning. It was an absolute ball. Girls loved it, we loved it. We sifted through piles of dirt and found a piece of the marble floor from the 2nd Beit Hamikdash - it was in our hands - unbelievable. The story behind this is that the Muslim Waqf removed a huge amount of debris classified as rubbish(2500y.o. 'rubbish') from the Temple Mount about 15years ago. It caused a furore because they did it without a permit and without a decent archaeology test. Of course the 6000tons of rubbish they removed was 'littered' with priceless items of archaeological significance. After 5 years of this current team of arch. sifters going through it, they're still only about 20% done. You only pay 5bucks and you can help them - lots of fun. And its the only place in the country that does this with very young children, so Hannah was happy playing around. Checkout our pics on Picasa.
We were on the Mount of Olives already so then we jumped into the tunnel and 30mins later we went for a dip and mudpool at our favourite Dead Sea resort Kalia Beach. Always heaps of fun.
Had dinner at the Last Chance restaurant on our way back, and then came home at 7.30.
Friday was a little unspectacular. There is a cute street market at the top of Bezalel (on Fridays) that we wandered through and had b'fast there. We also got to Katzefet(?) ice-cream shop on BenYehuda just before Shabbos - it was raning and cold but it was very yummy. I think it was known as the old 'Dream&Cream' shop.
So my Shabbos plans for going to Hebron for Parshat Chayei Sarah with a group of Chabadniks were nixed, but we had a most enjoyable Shabbos in Nahlaot. Mayanot Shule in the morning, then the Ganz's for lunch (where Hannah went to creche) and then finished off with Seudat Shlishit at the home of Rabbi Brott from Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo (ie. Carlebach). It was a very enjoyable Shabbos. Motzei Shabbos, Rachel&David Salkin came over and we had a nice evening around our kitchen table with them.
Yesterday was a bit of a blur. We spent virtually the entire day at Malcha [Jerusalem] Mall. Hannah was at creche in the morning and i even left the girls at the mall while i went to pickup Hannah at lunchtime. We love their food court where every single vendor is kosher - and it all tastes great. It's a hard choice for lunch! Then last night our very good friends Dalia&Benny came over. They wanted to see how the girls had gone at school (they did a big mitzva and helped us get the girls into Rehavia School). They were most impressed, especially with how well the kids had gotten on socially.
Today, Monday(16th), we slept in a bit and then jumped in the car and drove to Kever Shimshon (Samson's tomb), which is on the top of a mountain in the Eshtaol forest overlooking BetShemesh. It was really terrific. I read out the story of Shimshon's life from Wikipedia(on my mobile) and the girls were captivated. Beautiful scenery surrounded us and the girls were so eager to listen to what came next in his adventurous life. Great.
On the way home we made a quick detour to Kever Shmuel (Samuel's Tomb). By that stage we were all a bit tired but it still made a good impression on all of us.
Now we're starting to pack up as Thursday we drive up to Amirim for a week, which we're using as a base camp to explore the north. Looking forward to seeing the Peterson family again...
Tomorrow is probably our last big tiyul around J'lem - we've hired a private armoured vehicle and we're going to Kever Rachel and the Ma'arat Hamachpela in Hebron. I wanted to jump in our car and drive there, but Rochelle wouldn't have a bar of that idea. The girls are very excited to see the tomb and they understand all about it's history.
We've been gone over 2 months now... See you in 6 weeks!
PRTGEH
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Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - zoo & beit guvrin

Have had a terrific couple of days, but today particularly was absolutely
amazing - beit guvrin - wowowow.

Yesterday morning had breakfast at one of our 'regular' haunts - a mafia
(bakery) in mea shearim. We introduced the girls to our mate behind the
counter - moshe (aka superman). All our regular coffee places know us and
greet us with 'shalom - echad natul ve'echad ragil?' (1 decaf & 1 regular).
Moshe is a big young man with a very nice disposition and also possibly not
very good at maths... He charged us 110 shekels (30bucks!) for breakfast and
lunch - but i think that's normal prices for that area, as its mostly
patronised by bochrim. Girls had their requisite 4-5 mini pastries each and
a babycino. We're just introducing that drink here by the way - no one has
heard of it before... And i recommend the bakery if you ever get the
opportunity - it's the only one in rehov Bet Israel.

Then after a pitstop at the King David hotel (nice place, needs a reno tho)
we spent the day at Jerusalem 'Biblical' Zoo. For the most part its a
regular zoo with an excellent assortment of animals (inc. a very good range
of Aussie animals), but in addition where possible they include on the
nameplate an excerpt from the Tanach of where the animal is mentioned. This
zoo is great for young kids and also has a large playground, a petting zoo
and a mini sightseeing train.

This morning we went to Meyer's French patisserie around the corner in
Sha'arei Chesed. We all had a croissant and 'cino (and because its beside
Rehavia it cost us about 3x what Moshe charged), then drove off to Beit
Guvrin.

Beit Guvrin. Far out. Far far far out. The Bell Caves - oh my goodness
gracious. Incredible. This is a MUST see. Absolutely no joking - check our
picasa photo's link below. I'm not sure i've ever been in such a cave before
in my life (and i've seen a lot). To put into perspective how big one of
these cave is, i reckon it could have fit a 7-8 storey building in there.
HUGE. In fact i personally found it so awesome it was a bit scary. The girls
went berserk running around the caves and yelling out for the echo. Then we
walked around some other caves in the area which are very special, fun and
interesting in their own right.

Late afternoon we went to the Karps for awhile so the kids could play
together and then went to a fantastic dinner at the Shwarma shop beside the
McD's in Bet Shemesh. Very delicious.

Great day. Tired. Going to bed.
Yawn.

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - IAF museum & stuck on Hwy3

Hi all
This email begins as we sit in traffic on hwy 3 about 20km outside of J'lem (near BetShemesh turn off). The traffic is at a complete standstill, and our 'neighbour' in the lane next to us tells us that a bus has caught on fire or something...
... Past it now - a bus engine had caught on fire - it held us up for about an hour and we were only 10mins outside of Jerusalem.

Before i write anything i need to mention that Rochelle made beautiful schnitzels&potatoes on Friday night (not everything was bought from the Shuq - although what i was trying to intimate is that ALL the ingredients were bought from the Shuq). Love you Shel.

Today, BH we got to sleep in as we don't have to rush the kids off to school anymore. Our tiyul today was the Israel Air Force (IAF) Museum near Be'er Sheva. It was 'super-duper'. Lots of fun for the girls and i took a photo (as you will see on picasa) of almost every single plane with its accompanying description. Some very interesting, historically significant and exciting exhibits there... Not to mention the IAF planes buzzing and roaring overhead all day. I'm sure Uncle Les is 'spewing' that he's not here with us.

Drove home (past the burnt bus) and had a 'funny' dinner... We went to Malcha Mall and had kosher KFC. Yum! I love the zinger burger! Our new American friends, the Fursts, told us to go and do it - happy we listened.

Got home and kids retired to bed fairly quickly as the sun had knocked us about a little today.

By the way, if I hadn't already written it, the Carlebach concert was very very good and uplifting. I think we're becoming devotee's.

Off to the Biblical Zoo in J'lem tomorrow and then maybe David's Tomb and Oskar Schindlers grave (on Har Tzion).
Next week heading back up north...

So good. So so so good. Really good. All good.

Love
P

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Saturday, November 7, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Shabbos & Carllebach

Just sitting in our seats at the HA'UMA convnetion centre, waiting to see a Carllebach concert - 17th anniversary memorial concert. We've really taken to his tunes because the Mayanot Shul we go to across the road from us is a 'happy-clappy' Shul - a bit different but fun and full of ru'ach.

Shabbos night there were 11 people inc. us crammed in our tiny kitchen for Shabbos dinner, eating food that we bought from the M.Yehuda Shuq. It doesn't get much more Jerusalem, Nahlaot than that. Had a really nice evening with Tzippi&Elie Furst from 5-towns Long Island. They are here for their son's BarMitzvah at the Kotel and they also came with their niece who's studying in Tzfat. It is amazing the connections that you make with people you've never met before - Elie's Auntie is Ella Blesofsky (principal at B.Rivkah) and Tzippi is old friends with Devori Reicher (our v.good friends and v.good neighbours). Shabbos lunch we invited Jeremy Herman (orig. Sydney) who we met at Mayanot. We sat outside on our back verandah and shmoozed and ate. Very nice.

We've had a great Shabbos with Beth too. And the Rabbi (R.Gestettner originally from Sydney) has invited me and a group of guys to go to Hebron next week and stay there over Shabbos - parshat Chayei Sarah. This is supposed to be one of those annual awesome experiences in Israel - around 20,000 people go to the Ma'arat HaMachpela (camp out over Shabbos) to hear the Torah reading of when Abraham buys the Ma'arat. We will have an apartment there and will be going to the Chabad Farbrengen's etc. This experience should rival Birkat Cohanim at the Kotel. Apparently there is a large hall that the Muslim Waqf open to Jews only twice a year - this is one of them. Beth will be staying with Rochelle at Nahlaot.

Girls finished school Friday and they've had a great time the last month there, and made some nice friends. We bought some cakes for their class and their classes gave them a going away present with personal notes, etc. A very good experience...

Oops the concert has started....

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Thursday, November 5, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Ramparts

The early winter rain and cold have cleared leaving us with very pleasant & comfortable sunny days. Back to t-shirts. Apparently the Kinneret rose by 4cm.

On Tuesday when it was still raining we had a day of volunteering at a new place - Hazon Yeshaya. Rochelle was there in the morning and then i brought the girls there after school. They were in the soup kitchen and Rochelle helped prepare & serve and the girls helped clean up afterwards. After the girls had removed dishes and stacked chairs, i mucked out (mopped) the dining room and part of the kitchen - so we all did our bit.

Wednesday morning Rochelle&I window shopped at Mamilla and in the afternoon we finally walked the old city ramparts in the afternoon (the Jewish side). It was a really fun walk, as long as we kept a tight hold on Hannah's hand so she wouldn't climb up the wall & repel down (bli harness). Afterwards we had dinner at the Quarter Cafe in the Jewish Qtr. It is situated on the rooftops and has a beautiful view to the Temple Mount (fyi - Har Moriah).

Today Rochelle & I helped out Yad LeEzra by delivering some boxes of donated childrens clothes. Then i walked to school to pick the girls up. It is their 2nd last day today and this afternoon they are making a beautiful big thank you card to their class. They have had a wonderful time there over the last month and have made some new good friends. Tonight we're hoping to get together with our cousins Ruty&Zvikah.

Regards
P&R

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My 2 cents - Land for no peace

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125324.htmlWhat a fantastic article...

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1125324.html

Israelis would love peace but with little further cost. The forced removal from Gush Katif is now loathed and lamented by most Israelis. It set the precedent in Israeli minds that 'Land For Peace' is a pipe dream... i.e.thousands of rocket attacks, chronic palestinian/muslim inability to recognise the existence of Israel, etc. The latest disturbances over the last month have been caused by extremist muslim leaders inciting their followers to riot, with lies such as ''go and protect the temple mount - the jews are coming to take it over'':
A. The Jews already own it, but don't step foot on it.
B. After 1967, Israel gave control over the temple mount to the Muslim Waqf (another well-known historical decision regretted in current Israeli thinking)which is still adhered to, except for when violence erupts.
C. I was THERE on the days that the Muslim leaders said the Jews were supposed to be ascending the mount [en masse], or tunnelling under the temple mount. It never happened. And if it did happen i would've joined in.
So spouting absurd lies is the only way they can incense their people to riot(nothing new), and interestingly much much much less arabs were spurred by their inciting words (the 'rioters' numbered about 20). In fact, one particular viewpoint is that those over the 'green line' are beginning to realise which side their bread is buttered on, eg. just a month ago some palestinians were the first inductees into the Magen David Adom ambulance service - as specific aids in the arab areas.
As soon as the moronic muslim leaders were taken into custody 1-2 weeks ago all sides went back to business as usual - everyone is happy and the media didn't have any further rubbish to espouse.

My 2 cents.

Regards
Paul

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Sam&Sam

In a complete coincidence i met Sam/Shmuel Steinberg outside a supermarket this afternoon. And to top it off he is the owner of the shop Steinberg Home Improvement Centre i went to 3 weeks ago in Givat Shaul(was closed). We had a lengthy chat and he named some of his relations, including a family Levine... Freaky.
He is originally from Sth Africa, and his family came from Warsaw.
The experience freaked me out a bit.
We've swapped details...
Love
Pesach Shmuel

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Monday, November 2, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Yemin & Soreq

Hi All & hello to a few new people i've added in to this email update. I know it might be a surprise to get this - but enjoy! (You can also see our travel diary on our blog - link below)

We had a lovely day wandering the streets of Yemin Moshe yesterday. Very cute uncrowded area with no cars, diagonally opp. the Jaffa Gate. The houses are built in a similar kind of style to the old city, but more upmarket, better views and less claustrophobic. Hard to believe that when Sir Moses Montefiore established it, they had to pay people to live there! Go figure. (although at the time it was subjected to Bedouin raids, it was slummy, and the Jordanians kept taking pot-shots at it until 1967... so i suppose people weren't silly back then - but now very much gentrified)

After school today we went to the Soreq limestone caves, which is located in the hills beside Bet Shemesh. The girls got a real kick out of seeing this cave and have learnt a bit about geology too(they can tell you how a stalagm/tite forms). I'll have the photos from the cave uploaded soon - so keep checking the picasa link below. After that we casually meandered our way south (actually i didn't realise which particular direction i was going) and ended up in gorgeous Ein Kerem - it was a stroke of luck because we had heard about it, but never thought we'd actually get there. This small village is situated at the bottom of some mountains (Haddasah hospital at the top) like being tucked away in a little nook, very rustic and cute and they have some great cafes & restaurants. We had a huge dinner at the kosher fleisz restaurant there and came out very satisfied.

The girls went straight to bed when we got back at ~7pm. The wind&rain&walk&car&dinner&school today had knocked us about just a bit...

The weather is cooler, blowy and wetter at the moment. Not really cold but the temperature differential from last week (30C+) and wind chill, makes you feel like you're in the middle of winter.

The girls are helping out at Yad Ezra tomorrow with Rochelle, packing food boxes, and i think a school friend of Talia's is coming for dinner.

We're all looking forward to doing the old city ramparts walk sometime in the next few days...

Hope all your horsies win tomorrow!

L'hitraot
6x Steinbergs

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Steinbergs in Israel - Salkins

Hi All
A quick note, while i'm waiting to get girls. Had a really great time at the Salkins in Bet Shemsh over Shabbos. We stayed there and David&Rachel,Yonit,Gaby&Aviva,Yoela,Yanatan all made us very welcome.
This morning Rochelle and i walked through the Yemin Moshe artists colony - so gorgeous - another must see/do. Its diagonaly(diagon-alley, harry potter, just got it)opposite the jaffa gate. Then we went into the old city, had a yummy breakfast beside the Cardo and then went window shopping around there.
I now have the girls(Talia scribing), picking up Rochelle and Hannah from the shook, then either doing ramparts walk or check out the windmill at yemin moshe.
A bit overcast and cooler, looks like it might rain again(bucketed friday).
Love
Talia the scribe

Latest update from the Steinbergs In Israel...
Blog online: http://steinbergsinisrael.blogspot.com
Web photo album: http://picasaweb.google.com/steinbergpicasa
GoogleMaps Steinberg Israel Tour: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=101845790702321945414.00046ae3bb9b8c8d66f12
Skype Paul username: 'paulsteinberg'
Skype Steinberg Family username: 'prsteinberg'
Jerusalem address: 27 Narkis, Nahlaot.
Telephone: (03) 9015-9718 (local call in Australia)
Telephone: +972-(0)52-3396805 (in Israel)
Time: Melbourne Aust (AEST) minus -9 hours (e.g. Melb 10am=J'lem 1am)
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Steinbergs in Israel