Beit Chana
Seminar Beit Chana
9901 Kiryat Chabad
Tsfat
(04)6999641
News and observations through the eyes of Livnot U’Lehibanot, a community service program which serves residents of Tzfat and the surrounding communities.
[moderator] posted on the Tzfat yahoogroup
about Shabbas, also by Moshe & Yaffa:Our cautious walk of four blocks to synagogue on Shabbat was quiet. We know that sirens could sound at any time and it is not recommended to be on the street at that time.. A quick lesson in sirens/attacks.There are five types: 1. sirens first and then rockets 2. rockets first and then sirens 3. both together 4. rockets only and the best, 5. Sirens only.Sadly, the huge synagogue was empty for the exception of 7 men, therefore there was no minyan. We know of only three shuls in this area that are open to any extent and perhaps three in the Old City of Tzfat including the ancient Abuhav Shul that sustained some damage from a recent hit. This is out of around 100 shuls in Tzfat.Around mid afternoon two young soldiers came to our building with a clip board. They were determining how many people were here and they checked the shelter. It was declared unfit; nothing new to us. They indicated that things may get worse in Tzfat and that they were preparing for a possible evacuation. G-d willing it won't come to that. However, it does make you think about what we would take if we were forced to leave. What is really important in our life that we can fit into our little car?Around 3:30 Shabbat afternoon the first attack commenced followed by two others. Some rockets were very close to our house. Around 8 PM another attack with rockets peppering the area and some were very, very close. One hit in the Canaan neighborhood about 4 blocks from our house between Beit Chana Girls' School and the Chabad Shul. A rocket smacked into a power box next to a sports building and knocked out electricity to a portion of this neighborhood. We had electricity but the street lights were out and it was pitch black. I could see up the street that there were no lights in any of the homes. After 30 minutes the power was restored.A scene in Fiddler on the Roof comes to mind when the Police Chief stood in the street of the little village after all the Jews were ordered to leave. The wind was the only companion of the Police Chief and he obviously missed the presence of the Jews. We who remain in Tzfat miss those who left for whatever reason. The City of Tzfat looks sad in one way but those who are here and who are able, are helping in many different ways so the city retains some life.Sunday started out with a bang with the first attack about 10:45 AM (as generally expected). I had just brought Roxy up from the garden in anticipation and Tubby-cat decided it was time to come in, as well. We lost track of how many attacks or how many rockets slammed into the city or swooshed past our neighborhood. Later we learned that two people were injured and there was one fatality. A rocket hit near, or on, the police station located above us and another missed the gas station on the main road near the new Macbi Health Building. Others landed in parts unknown.In spite of what's swirling around us politically or swooshing over us, Lev U'Neshama is planning on a produce delivery tomorrow, Monday, to about 40 families in hard-pressed southern Tzfat neighborhoods where the hospital has been a main target. We will maintain our course of helping those in Tzfat as long as we can.The purported "cease fire" doesn't elicit any hope in most people in Israel. We pray for our abducted soldiers whose return is supposed to be a main item in any cease fire. Any mention of them? The Hezbollah said it would continue fighting as long as Israel has soldiers in Lebanon. If we leave, the Hezbollah will claim victory and regroup and then what? Lebanon says it will send 15,000 of its troops to Southern Lebanon. They are mostly Shiite so they would probably side with the Hezbollah so then Israel will have to face more troops. Wonderful! And Hezbollah will invite International forces from the UN to smoke hashish with them? We're wondering what the Master Plan holds in store for us and we pray that the suffering we've endured will not be for naught.Keep tuned to the conturing saga of the People of Israel.Moshe & Yaffa, your "on-the-spot war corespondents from Tzfat"
Reuter's photo of bombing in Beruit
Rabbi Avi Weiss, on a visit to the Tzfat Ziv hospital. Taken by Yonah Berman.
Livnot volunteer bringing food and help to homebound elderly resident of Tzfat last week.
http://www.slate.com/
b"h
[moderator] Joelle works with Admissions for Livnot U'Lehibanot. She took her work up north last week to be part of Livnot's relief effort and stand together with Northern residents during this period.
It wasn't even close to "Singin' in the Rain" with Gene Kelly, but it sounded wonderful anyway. A young father urged the children in the shelter next to our house to sing loudly in order to drown out the sounds of the rockets hitting Tzfat this afternoon (Monday). It reminded me of children drowning out the name of Haman when the Book of Esther is read during the holiday Purim. Haman was the wicked viceroy to King Ahasuerus of ancient Persia, (present day Iran). Haman plotted to destroy the Jews. Now, again, Iran is in the picture as it subsidizes the Hezbollah who are trying to eradicate the Jews in Israel.
[moderator] can't upload pictures on blogger today, but there are some amazing ones...hope that tomorrow, there will be some new pics.
[moderator] The Zatloffs and several of their six children have chosen to remain in Tzfat and assist. Schnuer is working with the Livnot volunteer program.
Despite the ravages of war, the Center for Healthy Living in Tzfat continues its mission to improve quality of life using available resources in harmony with the natural world. Due to a fortuitous stroke of scheduling we are blessed to have nearby at this time Avishai Pearlson, Breema teacher par excellence who is visiting his family in kibbutz Kfar HaNassi near Tzfat. Breema is a system of gentle movements, bodywork and principles of harmony that can help in balancing body, mind and feelings. It can be effective in dealing with stress, normal and extraordinary, and supports being fully present and available. The Center, in conjunction with Livnot U'lehibanot, is sponsoring Avishai in a Breema workshop tonight, August 7 at 8:00 pm. This is a hands-on introductory workshop in which people will experience and practice Breema. It is suitable for people new to Breema or as a refresher for those already familiar with it. It will be in Hebrew and English. To accomodate maximum participation it will be held at the Livnot campus (in a safe room) in the Old City. Livnot can be reached by car via Ha-ari St. This event is being organized primarily for residents of Tzfat in the Old City and Artists Quarter as well as volunteers at Livnot and elsewhere who have been working non-stop for several weeks now serving needy residents of the city. It is subsidized by the Center for Healthy Living. Contributions from those able to give are welcome. Other guests welcome if space is available. Due to limited space please let us know in advance if you will be attending. Contact Moshe Tov Kreps: 0547-338388, moshetov@netvision.net.il.
[moderator] Some of us, more cynical than others, haven't been totally suprised by the following types of reports, but they bear repeating. This one was noted by HonestReporting.
[moderator] this is another catch-up from last week
[moderator] catching up on recent postings
[moderator] from the Smolenskys
[moderator] from Edyth, our 80-something librarian, tzdekka lady, community organizer, and General in charge of Tzfat's english-speaking community.
It was a terrible day yesterday w/all of the tragedy in kfar giladi and haifa and i don't know where else------ rockets, sirens....more soldiers in the hospital yesterday than i've seen before...I went out w/friend to survey who needs food of those who have no phone.
[moderator] Doreen Bell Dotan lives in the Ofer neighborhood of Tzfat, in the south. She and her husband have chosen to stay in Tzfat during the war. This message was posted on the Tzfat yahoogroup. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tzfat/message/2593
[moderator] Gabi Nachman is director of community service volunteers for Livnot U'Lehibanot in Jerusalem. He spent last week in Tzfat with his children, helping the Livnot volunteer program in Tzfat. He is heading back to Tzfat this week.
[moderator] The Zatloffs have been living in Tzfat for 25 years. They have 6 children, and have decided to stay in Tzfat. They are assisting in the Livnot U'Lehibanot relief program. Here are 2 of their most recent posts.
[moderator] Yaffa and Moshe Smolensky are active in Tzfat, putting out a semi-weekly
Matan Nachmani, Gabi and Tova Leah's eldest, is now a paratrooper in the IDF.
[moderator] Pesach Stadlin is an alumni and sometimes-staff member of the Livnot program. He has been volunteering with Livnot in Tzfat for the past few days.
[moderator] The Livnot U'Lehibanot organization has been active for 26 years in running Israel Experience Programs for young Jewish adults while imbuing participants with the love of Israel, Judaism, and importance of connections with the Jewish community.