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March 2000

Bar'am - Legendary burial place of Queen Esther Bar'am, in the Upper Galilee, is the site of two ancient synagogues, one, whose remains are some of the most beautiful and best preserved in the country, and the other, known as the Synagogue of Obadiah the Prophet of which nothing remains but the lintel, discovered in 1861, and preserved today in the Louvre. According to legend, Queen Esther, of Purim fame, was buried by the people of Bar'am, on these grounds. Today you can visit the synagogue at Bar'am dating back to the 3rd century, a time when the Galilee was the center of Jewish learning and Jewish life. During this era, a number of synagogues were constructed including those at Meron, Gush Halav, Arbel, and Bar'am. All of these structures are characterized by their grand and richly ornamented facades (facing south towards Jerusalem), using large and beautifully cut stones known as `ashlars', and probably housing an upper storey making them visible from a distance. The grandeur of the synagogue tells us something of the positive relations between the Jewish community and the Roman authorities at the time, and attests to the wealth of the community. Bar'am had not one, but two synagogues, which would have attracted wise and learned scholars - ``im ayn kemach, ayn torah'' - roughly translated as, ``Where there is no bread, there is no Torah''. Exclusive to the Bar'am synagogue is the porch on the south wall supported by 8 columns, a feature recorded by medieval Jewish travelers, including Rabbi Shmuel ben Shimon in the 13th century, and Rabbi Moses of Bassola in the 16th century. It is Rabbi Moses who mentions the tradition of Queen Esther of Purim fame being buried near here. Celebrate the Purim meal with a picnic in Bar'am. Buy locally-made wines, cheeses and breads. Bar'am National Park. North of Safed on route 8967. Open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM. T: (06)698-9301. Entrance fee. Information about the park available at the entrance booth.

Kfar HaRoeh - Buy picnic goodies on your way up north Among the orchards of Kfar HaRoeh - a religious moshav and the home of a major Bnei Akiva yeshiva - discover two excellent home-based food outlets. Jacobs Dairy Farm Jacobs Dairy Farm is a small family-run dairy which produces quality sheep and cow cheeses using traditonal European methods. Originally from Germany, the Jacobs family settled in Kfar HaRoeh in 1933. From the photographs posted on the walls of the small cheese store, you can see the changes and growth on the farm over the last 67 years. The decision to produce cheeses was made by the grandsons of Shlomo Jacobs. Eran and Assaf studied cheese-making in Holland and Italy, returned home to the farm and started their own families. Today the five sons, and daughters-in-law, all work in the family business. Buy an assortment of cheeses, and a bottle of wine, for a picnic in one of the area forests. Jacobs Dairy Farm. Under rabbinic supervision. T/F: 972(6)636-6111. Mobile: 053-233523. Kfar HaRoeh: Between Netanya and Hadera off Route 4 on Route 581 east. Shoshana's Bakery and Cafe Nestled in the woods of Kfar HaRoeh follow the smell of freshly baked yeast cakes (and the signs) to Shoshana's Bakery. Both Shoshana Shikler and her husband are first generation Israelis, she of Yemenite descent and he of Polish descent. With the encouragement of family and friends who rightfully thought her baked goods would have a loyal clientele, Shoshana established her bakery 10 years ago. Since then word has gotten around and customers travel miles to stock up on the large variety of home-baked cakes and cookies. Their decision to concentrate on the quality of the baked goods by having only one point of sale has paid off. Today the demand is greater than the supply. Three months ago, four of Shoshana's six children enhanced their mother's success by opening a dairy cafe next door to the bakery. The indoor/outdoor cafe is situated in lush gardens on the grounds of the Shikler's home. In the spirit of family enterprise, the creative gardening and landscaping is created by two other children. Cinammon yeast cake tastes even better than it smells! To avoid disappointment, reserve ahead at the cafe. Kfar HaRoeh: Between Netanya and Hadera off Route 4 on Route 581 East Both the bakery and cafe are under rabbinic supervision. Shoshana's Bakery T: (06)636-5233 Sunday-Thurs: 7 AM - 6 PM Fri: 7 AM - 3:30 PM Cafe T: (06)625-1451 Monday-Thurs: 10AM - 11 PM Fri: 9-2 pm Closed Saturday and Sunday. Ezer Mizion For over 20 years Ezer Mizion has been providing free paramedical services to Israelis from all walks of life. Founded by Rabbi Chananya Chollak, Ezer Mizion is an organization with a heart. The largely religious staff, with over 10,000 volunteers, has 39 centers throughout Israel. Well-known and much appreciated by patients and their families, Ezer Mizion's presence is particluarly felt at mealtime in hospitals throughout Israel. It is then that these ``angels'', as one parent of a sick child called the EM volunteers, distribute meals to families in the hospital. It is these same angels who run the much anticipated free summer camp program for young cancer patients - bringing them fun and a chance to learn new skills. Simultaneously, parents get a well deserved break from difficult daily routines. On your next trip to Israel, join Israel's largest volunteer force and offer physical and emotional support to the sick, injured, and elderly. Participate in the Meals-On-Wheels program by doing one or all of the activities below. Help with food preparation in the kitchen. Distribute meals in hospitals. Dedicate meals in honor of a special occasion or person by donating $2.50 per dinner or $1.00 per light meal (minimum $50). An appropriate label will be affixed to each meal. All hands-on opportunities must be pre-arranged. Contact Miriam Blitz, International Office, 25 Yirmiyahu St., Jerusalem Tel: 972(2)537-8070 Fax: 972(2)538-3315 E-mail. Click on the image above to visit Ezer Mizion.

Portrait Of An Artist Meet Amy Gilron. In her studio set in the desert, master carpenter, Amy Gilron, specializes in Judaica, often using such indigenous woods as olive, lemon, orange and dalbergia (rosewood.) ``I get inspiration from my husband. As a spiritual Jew, he helps me combine my art with Judaic themes. From there, I am able to create ways to express the beauty of those items and the rituals they represent through wood,'' says Gilron. Her understanding of wood and how to work with it, was originally motivated by a pessimistic view of the world. Concerned about the future, Gilron searched for a craft that would always be needed. She found wood to be a living material, which helps to create a warm home atmosphere. Gilron studied in Norway for 2 1/2 years and then returned to her native country, the U.S. where she became a journeyman carpenter (cabinet maker). After five years she made aliyah and continues her trade in Be'er Sheva where she lives with her husband and children. Amy is developing a line of etrog boxes for sukkot to complement her groggers, megillah cases and challah boards. You can contact Amy by e-mail.