By Laurie Rappeport. During Chanukah vacation many people, both Israelis and foreign travelers come to Tzfat to spend the holiday in the northern mountaintop town. Chanukah, unlike some of Judaism’s other holidays, does not have any religious restrictions regarding travel, work or other activities which are limited during other holidays. All of the city’s art galleries are open throughout the week of Chanukah, the synagogues welcome visitors every day and tourists can always find a candle-lighting ceremony to join in the evenings when outsiders are welcomed into both public and private Chanukah candle-lighting services almost anywhere in the city.
Safed has a special relationship to the “Festival of Lights.” Historians believe that there was a Jewish community in Safed at the time that the Maccabees were revolting against the Hellenists in other parts of Israel. The Jerusalem Talmud relates that “Zefath”, believed to refer to the present location of Tzfat, was one of the sites in which fires would be lit to announce a new month during Temple times. While these “smoke signals” are no longer necessary, residents of Safed continue observe the Chanukah tradition of placing the lit menorah in their windows and doorways to publicize the miracle of Chanukah. returning some of the light of the early days to the windy lanes and narrow alleyways of the city. .
Tzfat is a popular venue for individuals and families who are interested in finding fun and interesting activities during Chanukah week.
Shvil HaLev
Paths of the Heart — Shvil HaLev — invites individuals, groups and families to join their nightly candle-lighting followed by a tour of the Old City. Visitors can see the menorahs which are displayed throughout the city’s lanes and alleyways. The tour includes Chanukah and other traditional songs as well as stories and legends of Chanukah and of Tzfat. Must pre-register. Meir at 050-7505695
Cheeses
According to Jewish legend, Yehudit (Judith), a heroine from the city of Bethulia, enticed the Hellenistic general Holofernes by feeding him cheese (and, assumedly, wine). When he fell asleep she cut off his head and brought it back to her city, rallying her compatriots to engage the Hellenistic troops in battle and defeat the enemy. In commemoration many people serve cheeses and cheese dishes on Chanukah. Two dairies in Safed invite visitors to come and watch the cheese-making process. The dairies are open throughout the day but its best to call beforehand to ascertain the best day and time to come to observe the actual cheese-making process.
- The HaMeiri Dairy is located on near the Breslev Grand Synagogue above the Ari Sepharadi synagogue. Sheep-milk cheeses. (052) 372-1609
- The Kadosh Dairy is located on a small lane that juts out from HaAri Street, above the military cemetery (north of the Old Jewish Cemetery). Sheep and goats milk cheeses (04) 692-0326
Ascent
The Ascent Institute is celebrating Chanukah with evening candle-lightings and other fun activities, suitable for both families and individuals. The workshops take place on Sunday December 9th, Monday December 10th, Tuesday December 11th and Wednesday December 12th. In addition to the candle lighting, each evening involves music, creative art activities, meditation, donut making, an Old City candlelight tour and volunteering. The workshops cost 100 per person which includes sleeping accommodations as availability in the Ascent hostel allows. There is a 15% discount for online registration.
Khan of the White Donkey
The Khan of the White Donkey is hosting a special Chanukah performance on Thursday night, December 13, 2012. The concert features Jah Bless, a popular Israeli artist, together with his high energy band. The music is a blend of Roots Reggae and a Jewish twist. Tickets are 50 shekels each. The Khan is located near the courtyard of the General Exhibition hall.
Kabbalah Center
Every night during Chanukah the International Center of Tzfat Kabbalah conducts a Chanukah Lights tour. The fun-filled activity is appropriate for children and adults alike. During the tour participants will enjoy a full evening tour of Tzfat with stories and explanations of Tzfat, Kabbalah and Chanukah along with the chance to view the wide variety of Chanukah menorahs which are placed in windows and outside doorways throughout the city. A candle-lighting ceremony, Klezmer music and a movie about Kabbalah complete the tour.
Sheva Chaya Glassblowing
A live glassblowing exhibition can be seen at the Sheva Chaya gallery, across the road from the General Exhibition. In addition to the glassblowing visitors can see the display of glass menorahs and dreidels as well as the watercolors that Sheva Chaya is famous for producing. The gallery suggests that visitors make an appointment to see the glassblowing. 7alive@gmail.com or 0587147640
Hallel
Two of Safed’s best-known synagogues, the House of Love and Prayer and Beirav follow the Shlomo Carlebach tradition of praying through heartfelt song and expression. Their musical Hallel prayers are accompanied with musical instruments, singing and dancing. Visitors can arrive at any time during the service and stay for as long as they want. The service begins at approximately 8:30a.m. — it’s best to check the synagogue websites for specific information about times.
Play ‘n Clay and Pottery Shop
Individuals, families and groups can mold menorahs, dreidels or any other object at a pottery workshop. Workshops last for a few hours and provide a fun activity for multi-generational groups and families. By appointment. (052)344-5019
Israel Extreme
A variety of rappelling adventures is available in the Safed area through Israel Extreme for adults and children alike. The activities are not suitable for children under the age of five.
- Dalton Cliff rappelling is offered on the 3rd day of Chanukah, Tuesday, December 11th, leaving Tzfat at 8:30 AM. The cost is 190 shekels per person which includes transportation. (For people who have their own transportation, the cost is 130 shekels per person.) Dalton Cliff is located in the Biryah Forest, next to Safed, and features stunning views of the Eastern Galilee, Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and the Hula Valley.
- Alma Cave Horizontal Rope Swinging, Tarzan Style leaves Safed on Tuesday, December 11th, the 3rd day of Chanuka at 13:00. Participants can test out the rope swing as they jump and fly through the air and then rappel down to safety. 250 shekels per person, including transportation. (The cost is 190 shekels per person without transportation.)
- Thousands of years ago the ceiling of the Keshet cave collapsed leaving an arch which gives the site its name — Keshet. The Keshet Cave rappelling includes rappeling off the mammoth natural stone arch and sailing through the air. The panoramic view allows participants to see the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding Western Galilee. Participants hike back up the mountain using cables, often with accompanying mountain goats. The trip to Keshet Cave takes place on Wednesday, December 12th, the 4th day of Chanuka. The group leaves Tzfat at 8:30 a.m. Cost is 250 shekels per person, which includes transportation (or 150 shekels per person without transportation.)
Reservations are required at least one day in advance and the activity is appropriate for individuals aged 5 and older. 052-720-8646 or info@israelextreme.com
In the Quiet Space
In the Quiet Spaceoffers a unique spiritual-behavioral experience known as “MicroCalming” or conditioned relaxation technique. “An Experience of Quiet and Light” is a Hanukah Workshop which allows participants to experience an inner quiet that they can carry over to facilitate a smoother day-to-day functioning, lighting the path to the Blessings of the inner light. The workshop is suitable for individuals or families with children of any age. Peter 054-4957528
Public Candle-Lighting Ceremonies
The municipality of Safed, in conjunction with various local agencies and organizations, invites visitors to join in for public candle-lighting ceremonies. Detailed information is available at 1-800-800-106.
The ceremonies include:
- Young Chabad’s public candle-lighting, each night of Chanukah on Jerusalem Street (main commercial street), near Bank HaPoalim. Songs, dancing and Hassidic atmosphere.
- Monday evening, December 10 2012, candle-lighting at the Tzfat Michlala (College) at 17:00
- Tuesday night December 11 2012. Candle-lighting at
- Mercaz HaTzirim, HaNasi Street at 17:00
- Saraya/Wolfson Center, Tzfat Youth at 18:30
- Wednesday night December 12 2012. Candle-lighting at
- The Bloom Community Center, Southern neighborhood, Moadon Erez for the Akim sheltered living residents at 15:30
- Yigal Alon Center at 17:00 with Old Age Pensioners
- Khan of the White Donkey at 19:00
- Thursday night December 13th 2012 at the Absorption Center Meron/Canaan next to the police station on Mt. Cana’an. 17:00 with new Ethiopian immigrants.
HaMeiri Museum
The HaMeiri Museum exhibits the day-to-day lives of Jews in pre-State Israel as experienced in Safed. The museum displays photos, artifacts, paintings and other objects that allow visitors to see how Jews lived in Turkish-ruled and then British-ruled Palestine over the last 200 years. During Chanukah visitors can join daily tours at the museum at no additional cost.
