Art in Haifa

Today’s journey began with an Israeli Breakfast. The food here is different. We did have scrambled eggs and a farmer’s omelet, but because this is Israel our fare also included a morning salad, Israeli salad, tuna salad, cream cheese, feta, olives, labnah and chickpeas, eggplant cream, tomato salsa with tahini, guacamole, yogurt with granola and honey, halva spread, fruit jam, butter and two small loaves of fresh, warm, whole-grain bread. We also ordered a regular shakshouka, and received coffees, water and juice.

Breakfast for 2 includes a condiment tray

After breakfast we went to Ulpan, Hebrew lessons for new Israelis. Because this new nation desires to incorporate all people into society, these classes are provided by the government for all new immigrants who desire to learn the Hebrew language. Why the Hebrew language?? Because it is the language of the Bible, so who would not want to learn.

Ulpan teaches both block and cursive writing

In the afternoon we took a bus to the port area of Haifa to visit a museum (and cultural center), Beit Hagefen which sponsors an art project called Art Without Borders. The goal of the center is to develop good relations between Arabs, Jews and all other people.

The cultural center includes two or three buildings

The organization uses the arts to bring people together. They have a theater where they produce dramas.

The mosaics were given during the 'Holiday of Holidays'

They also enable artists to place work throughout the neighborhood that surrounds the Beit Hagefen center.

An artist celebrates a family that lived in the neighborhood for several generations.

The area surrounding the cultural center is the oldest in Haifa. It contains a mixture of Arabs, Jews, Bahai and Christians.

This artist will return to close the Mediterranean shaped safety pin when there is peace!

The art museum is without borders because artwork is placed on homes in the neighborhood.

Artwork from all cultures to promote living together in peace

Each piece attempts to bring factions of people together and build peace.

The Dinosaur is a moving exhibit

Horizon says in the exchange between the Hooves and Grass,

“The Hooves will not have the last word / Through the succession of the seasons,

Spring will always make the grass green,/ as generations come and go.”

Echo says, “I wish to be the hooves, not the forlorn grass./ I loathe the blessed lowliness / and the kindness of feeble sympathy / I wish to be the hooves / not the sturdy grass.”

Horizon says, “You realize that hooves are the shoes of horses!”

Echo says, “All the grass is the insole of the horses’ shoes”

Horizon adds: “Likewise, the spurs are the insoles of the knights / to be lunged into horses’ soft waist!”

Echo insists: “I would rather be the hooves than the sturdy grass!”

Horizon says: “And you would not mind the snake-like image of the victim's face eternally poised on your chest?”

Bewildered Echo fell silent! in the horses’

Many pieces of art are located throughout the neighborhood

The artwork is scattered around a vibrant neighborhood filled with people and small shops,

The vegetables are always fresh at these markets

Such as vegetable stands and bakery outlets.