A Beautiful Building
by Jackiekg
Buses No. 5, 12, 26 to Rothschild; or Bus No. 4 to corner of Allenby Rd. Numbers start from Allenby end.
This building is situated at 13 Rothschild Blvd. just past the corner of Herzl Street. It was built in the 1920's. The building used to be a branch of Bank Mizrachi.
Go to my travelogue on architecture to see more old/beautiful buildings.
God Save The Queen!
by Jackiekg
This large picture suddenly appeared on the side of the British Embassy building in Tel Aviv, corner Hayarkon/Jabotinsky Streets. As I am a great fan of the Queen, it is very much to my liking. It shows the head of the Queen in the middle of a 'hamsa'.
Below is what I found written on a web site explaining what a 'hamsa is'.
"The hamsa hand (Arabic) or hamesh hand (Hebrew) is an old and still popular apotropaic amulet for magical protection from the envious or evil eye. The words hamsa and hamesh mean "five" and refer to the digits on the hand. An alternative Islamic name for this charm is the Hand of Fatima, in reference to the daughter of Mohammed. An alternative Jewish name for it is the Hand of Miriam, in reference to the sister of Moses and Aaron".
Hamsot are very popular here and you will find them in many shops and in many forms, either as wall hangings or jewellery.
Now for tfu.. This word is more difficult to explain, but I'll try. If you say, for example , "he's looking good, tfu, tfu, tfu" - you are saying "he's looking good, and let him stay that way (to do with the evil eye).
Passover (Pesach) 2004
by Jackiekg
Passover (Pesach) is the 8 day observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II.
It is a time for family gatherings and lavish meals called Seders when the story of Passover is retold through the reading of the Haggadah. With its special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder is the focal point of the Passover celebration. During Passover we eat only unleavened bread (matzot) - although it is possible for people to buy bread and pittot - usually in Yafo. I would say that the majority of people keep to matzot.
A lot of people only work half days during this Holiday, although some businesses do close down and their employers have to take part of their yearly holiday at this time. As you can see in the photo, this is also a time for picnics and many people take mangels with them to the parks. Bridge is very popular here and my friends are shown concentrating on their game. My boyfriend is shown "taking time out!"
Walk and Rest
by Trillian2005
Walking in Yarkon Park is always a pleasant activity. The park follows the Yarkon river, hence its name "Yarkon Park". Yarkon Park allows you to walk from Tel Aviv all the way to Ramat Gan (and back, if you're so inclined, or vice versa). But I'm getting side-tracked. Walking for a long time, especially next to a river, will, sooner or later, inspire you to visit a certain facility, where you may rest for a little while, a facility commonly referred to as "toilet". And in Yarkon Park you're in for a treat. Visiting a Yarkon Park toilet is a must (pun not intended). You will be impressed by and marvel at the colorful, modern post-Hundertwasser design of the toilets in that park. And what's even better, if you must go, paying an admission fee is not a must. In other words, visiting those beautiful restrooms is free, including admiring their artful interior design. Picture taking permitted - well, of the design, but preferably not of other visitors, especially not while they must.