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.

Haifa's Panarama

Today is Shabbat, a special day in Israel, a definite necessity after our overseas flight, time in Yafo and two weeks of traveling. Today is a gift, a day to slow down and enjoy the gift of life and God’s creation.

A pool along the Dan Panorama, Haifa

We began the day with a great supper at Burgus Burger Bar, a short walk through a garden and past a fountain, about two blocks from where we are staying. We had a leisurely dinner with our new friends from the afternoon’s hike. I should note that the Jewish day starts at Sunset, “And there was evening, and there was morning…”

Dan Panorama Promenade in Haifa, Israel

After a fitful rest, we awake to a bright new day. Some of the family slept in, because it was the Sabbath. There is no rush, and the day was created to enjoy. We walked through the garden again to Landwer for an Israeli breakfast: a farmer’s omelette (with mushroom, spinach, leek and goat cheese), scrambled eggs, shakshouka, Israeli salad, tuna salad, cream cheese, feta, olives mix, labnah and chickpeas, eggplant cream, tomato salsa with tahini, guacamole, sweet yogurt with granola and honey, halva spread, fruit jam, whole-grain wheat bread. and coffee. We took our time.

No traffic on the normally crowded main street!

The city of Haifa is at rest on Saturday. Offices are closed, public transportation comes to a stop, and the hustle bustle of daily live comes to a halt. We took a walk in the afternoon along the Dan Promenade.

Downtown Haifa at the bottom of Mount Carmel.

We took a hike along the top of Mount Carmel, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We could see downtown Haifa and ships entering the port.

Ships entering Haifa Harbor. Also Bahai Gardens

Bahai Gardens spread out below, and the Jezreel Valley opened to the east. Akko could be seen to the north, and I was told that on a clear, dry day, it is possible to make out Cyprus. Our day is ending with strawberry mint tea and awaiting Shavuot to arrive this evening.

** Today's post is from Haifa looking north; Yesterday I wrote about a trail going west. Both overlook the Mediterranean where Mount Carmel projects into the sea. This is probably the place Elijah came to find the drought breaking rain in 1 Kings 18.

A Pool and a Monastery in Haifa

If a person gets off the beaten path in Israel and takes trails, the Eretz Yisrael is full of surprises.

Our trail of descent from Mount Carmel, Haifa

Yesterday we took a side trail off of Mount Carmel towards Carmel Beach. The path was steep at first, and full of dead branches as we deciphered the way to get to the marked trail.

An oak grove near where we joined the trail

The marked trail took the course of a wadi, a dry riverbed that can quickly carry run-off during times of rain (not the place to be in wet weather). The stone gave us an easy descent.

The wadi we traveled along the first part of our trail

Along the way there were groves of oak trees and other plant life.

The trail marking under the oak trees

Eventually we found ourselves on an old developed roadbed. This made the traveling easier, as the route had been graded for easy and smooth descent.

Our trail follows an old road

The roadbed was old, and not maintained. What had once been a road had become a trail.

The road is old, and all smoothness is gone

Along the way we ran into an antiquity. There are actually ancient ruins (and some newer ruins) all over Israel. This ruin was the remains of a center for Carmelite monks. The Carmelite Order is dedicated to contemplation and prayer. They find inspiration for their practice of faith from the prophet Elijah and Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both were people of prayer.

Antiquities marker for the Carmelite Church

There is an old monastery on the trail.

An old entrance to an old church

The monks needed a source of water, so they built a pool at a spring where water comes out of the mountain.

A cool place for a refreshing rest

This spring was actually our destination, and we spent time in the cool refreshing waters. Then we drank coffee, and talked to others who were hiking the trail. One of the men we talked to helped open facebook in Israel. We talked about many things, including politics. The Israelis are fascinated by our politics, especially as it influences Israel. We also talked about education, youth groups and the natural beauty of the land.

The path below the monistary

Beyond the monastery, an aqueduct took water downhill. There were many ponds along the way with other people bathing. We finally reached a road at the bottom and took a taxi to our home on top of the hill.

A Trip to Haifa

Today’s trip started in Joppa, where we are staying. We walked over the hill to get the car, and found a couple of places to stop and get pictures. Yafo is a beautiful Mediterranean city with narrow streets, interesting houses, and great views along the coast. I have several stories in a book compiled for our tour group (and any other tour group going to Israel), Israel: Stories for Your Journey.

A Talmudic School on Street that leads to the Yafo Shoreline

This of course is near the place where Peter went in the morning to enjoy the breeze and view, and saw a sheet coming down from heaven with various kinds of unclean animals.

Cactus Flowers on the top of the hill by the beach

After breakfast, we traveled north. 

Yokenan Pass, which leads from the Via Maris to Jezreel Valley

Our objective for the day was Haifa. Our first stop was at Sarah’s apartment.

Housing in Haifa

She has a great view from her back window.

Looking North across Mount Carmel

From the top of the hill Elijah was able to watch for rain over the sea. Many people live on the hill now. This was also the place where the Giro d’Italia was run today. We saw some of the closed off streets.

Mount Carmel from the beach

The beach where we ate lunch was along the beach.

Places to eat along the beach near Haifa

And then walked down the beach to enjoy the cool water and the views.

A rocky place along the Seashore

Then we headed back to Tel-Aviv. We took a local road because there was a wreck on the main road as people were returning from Shabbat and coming to Tel-Aviv during the race.