Blogs from Haifa District, Israel, Middle East

May 10, 2012 Haifa/Jerusalem Haifa is a beautiful little city built on a small peninsula in northern Israel. It has a busy port and is known for the large number of high tech/computer companies doing business here. One of the first things I noticed was a small passenger ship tied up next to the military side of the port. I recognized it as a Turkish vessel that was in the news recently when it was attacked by the Israeli navy when it attempted to break the blockade of Gaza to the south though no one has pointed this out. I was soon to find out that there are many things in Israel that are not talked or scrupulously ignored even when in plain sight. Today we took a long bus ride to visit Jerusalem. We stopped ... read more

This story was written to thank those who supported Israel during the monstrous Carmel fires which devistated the region that I love so much in 2010. I am writing this post from the prospective of an American immigrant to Haifa Israel of five years. I am proud to be the honorary interfaith coordinator of The Reform Jewish movement Synagogue, Or Hadash in Haifa. My greatest blessings have been the result of participating in interfaith activities with our friends the Focolare (the largest Catholic outreach movemensit), and several other religious groups, including our Druze neighbors. I live in Haifa. Daliat El Carmel and Osifia are two Druze villages close to Haifa in the Carmel Forest. img=https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQIipPvFG2j8XRJ4MtA22Y074ARmPe7VVzO4lEFW4STVYqF_nQbfw Haifa from my back door, view of B'hai shrine The Druze have lived in the G... read more

I am writing this story from the vantage point of an American Immigrant to Haifa Israel from Colorado. My five years as an "Oleh" have been challenging but incredibly satisfying. I want to thank Rabbi Edgar Nof and my Temple, Or Hadash, in Haifa for warmly accepting me and helping me adjust to life in Israel. My experiences in interfaith activities at Or Hadash have made me a passionate supporter of dialogue between peoples and have helped me to cope with the challenges of immigration. The side of life in Israel-Palestine that gains media attention is that of conflict and anger. Sadly, this side of life does exist in this region. However, there are many efforts made by many Jews, Christians,and Muslims on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian borders to bring harmony. This is particularly true ... read more

I am writing this story from the perspective of a five-year American immigrant to Haifa, Israel. Many of my years in America were spent on the beautiful Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. By many people's standards I enjoyed a quiet, idyllic life of peaceful serenity. Many of my thoughts- and those of my neighbors-were filled with green surroundings, beautiful lakes, and regional wildlife. Politics were not the most integral part of our lives, at least in my social world. Life in Israel is very different. It is saturated on a daily basis with political ideology, confrontations, and agendas. It is rare in this country to ride a bus, go to a cafe or attend any social functions that do not include heated political debates. It is very common for me, as ... read more

I am an American immigrant to Israel. Life in israel can be challenging but fun as well. Israel is a modern nation that offers plenty of social, cultural, and economic choices to its citizens. Let's talk entertainment! Israelis are avid readers and my favorite pastime is reading detective novels and attending book clubs. I am a particular fan of James Patterson. Bookstores are abundant in Haifa. Titiles are available in English, Russian, French, and other languages. Hebrew is the native laguage. Many of the classics and foreign titiles are printed in Hebrew. Israelis also love movies. Haifa, my hometown has twenty-two theaters that show movies in most major languages and for all ages. Popcorn, hot dogs and cokes are usually available, but often at inflated prices. The ticket costs are comparable to those in America. Most ... read more

We were sitting in our favorite cafe. Our server Chen was a native born Israeli or Sabra. She is finishing her degree in Social Sciences at the University of Haifa. I am an American immigrant to Haifa of five years. We decided to write about life in a Haifa suburb. Kiryat Sefer is an upper middle class community in the Horev area of Haifa. It was my first home in Haifa, Israel. I immigrated to Israel five years ago from Colorado. What an adventure! Travel is wonderful in Israel. I can visit the Galilee, Nazareth, and Jerusalem, in the same day from my home in Haifa. Horev is an alternate appellate for Sinai, where Moses received the Torah and the Ten Commandments. It is located on ... read more

Growing up in Pittsburgh was fun, even though I was one of the few Jewish kids in those times that didn't grow up in Squirrel Hill. I was so blessed that we lived in Oakland near Shady Side and in Point Breeze, in the days when Shady Side was world known for its famous jazz clubs, chic restaurants, and fashion boutiques. I could romp in Frick and Schenley Parks, and even walk to Downtown Pittsburgh on an energetic day. My friends and I cheated the law by drinking beer at the Frick Park Memorial where Mr. Heinz reportedly invented modern processed Ketchup. Those were the days when Downtown was composed of large General Stores that ranged from the very basic Woolworth to upscale Gimbles. I did commute to Taylor Allderdice High School to get the best ... read more

Forty years ago, I was a communications student at the University of New Mexico. The year was 1968 and like many youth of my era, I sought something rewarding and exciting to do with my life. I still had two years of studies to finish, but was unsure of my goals for the future. I volunteered to do a six month work/study program at a kibbutz in southern Israel, named Hatzor. One of the purposes of such programs was to promote Aliyah or immigration to Israel. Participants split the day evenly between work at the Kibbutz and Hebrew study in an Ulpan. I soon discovered that sitting in a classroom was unsuitable for me. Conversely, my job as assistant Kibbutz caretaker was a perfect match. I delivered supplies throughout the settlement, did the gardening, collected the ... read more

I immigrated to Israel five years ago from Colorado to Haifa Israel. What an incredible journey! I enjoy my retirement in the beautiful city of Haifa. Understanding the culture of Israel is a great challenge to many new olim or immigrants. Israel is a nation where the Jewish faith and history are very much a part of daily life. It is a nation where the horrors of the Holocaust are not and must not be forgotten. We remember the destruction of the ancient temples in Jerusalem in our hearts and prayers. "Next Year in Jerusalem" is the prayer that mourns our past suffering, but also gives us hope for the present and future. Tisha B’Av, is a day of evel or mourning in Israel. This day ... read more

I am writing this story from my home in Haifa Israel. I am a proud American (oleh) immigrant to Israel of five years from Colorado. Food is the universal peace-maker. Bagel is a household name and my favorite food. Most Americans find that bagel and cream cheese is almost as common as mom and apple pie. Israelis love American cooking. Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Burger King and Domino's are an integral part of Israeli society. Israelis also enjoy humus and falafel and shwarma or roasted lamb.The Israeli diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, salads, and dairy products. The staples of the Israeli diet are hummus, falafel, and Israeli salad. Hummus and falafel are chickpea products. Hummus is a paste like form of chickpea usually eaten with pita bread. Falafel is chickpea formed into small balls, fried, and ... read more