February 2000

Land of Milk and Honey This Biblical phrase conjures up images of a land blessed with rich bounty. But is it? Can Israel still be described as a land flowing with milk and honey? Israel Info-Access went to the source to find out. The inaugural issue of @The Source brings you somewhat whimsical proof that Israel indeed is still the land of milk and honey ... and other delicacies - to be explored in future issues. Buffalo Cheese Farm Picture this. Buffalo, it is true, are not native to Israel, and the herd at Hagai and Irit Treister's farm on Moshav Bitzaron are actually Italian. But on our visit, we did see the beginnings of a new generation - two spindly legged, wet furred newborn sabra buffalo warming up under heat lamps. The milk was flowing when we arrived at 5:00 in time for the second milking of the day. Hagai Treister loves his Italian-imported buffalo! He can tell you a story about each of the 110+ member herd. The Italian buffalo are smaller than the more popular American bison, but up close, their presence is huge! But what does buffalo cheese taste like? To find out, we crossed the road to the spotlessly clean cheese store run by Irit. Here, we were treated to tastings of low-fat buffalo milk ricotta and mozarella cheeses, plus the Treister's goat, sheep and cow cheeses. Irit, just returned from a working trip to Italy, suggested which breads and wines to serve with each cheese. Buffalo milk is rich in vitamins and calcium and low in fat. Unlike milk produced by cows which is rich in beta carotene, buffalo milk is rich in vitamin A. In fact, buffalo milk, and hence the cheese and butter, are all a snowy white color, since they lack orange-color beta carotene! Milk production is approximately 20% of cow milk production. One of two certified kosher buffalo cheese farms in the entire world, the Treisters have a hard time keeping up with demand. With a 10-month gestation period, their young herd is growing slowly. Visitors are welcome at the farm and the farm store. Time your visit to coincide with milking hour. The herd is milked twice a day, at 6 AM and again at 5 PM. However, we suggest you call ahead to be sure. Buffalo Farm. Moshav Bitzaron on route 40, near Kibbutz Chatzor. Tel: 972-(0)8-857-4508; 053-420435

Yad Sarah On your visit to Israel, take the time with your family to participate in a hands-on mitzvah. Yad Sarah, an organization that lends medical equipment throughout Israel to those in need, has a program just for you. During a 90-minute visit at their Jerusalem headquarters, you can build a wheelchair - a real contribution to Yad Sarah and to the people in need of the organization's services. All visits must be pre-arranged. Click on the image above to visit Yad Sarah. Contact Pat Allin, Public Relations Director, Kiryat Weinberg, 124 Herzl Blvd., Jerusalem Tel: 972-2-644-4425 Fax: 972-2-644-4423 E-mail

Scribes at Work Visiting a Sofer STaM, scribe, provides a hands-on, educational experience for the family. Learn how a mezuzah is written, and see how a Torah scroll and teffilin are prepared and checked. Located in the Judean Hills 20 minutes from Jerusalem, Rabbi Yerachmiel Askotzky is a certified and experienced scribe. In a pre-arranged 90-minute visit to his studio, you can watch a sofer at work, learn how to choose teffilin and watch them being prepared. All visits must be pre-arranged. Call for directions. Tel: 972-(0)2-534-0188 E-mail Click on the image above to enter the world of a Sofer STaM.