Shiksa in Israel

Moon Over Nazareth

this is a picture I love.
I think of it as Moon Over Nazareth as we were in Nazareth when I took it (out my window when driving, something CSJ absolutely loves) but technically I guess it's Moon Over SouthWest Outskirts of Nazareth. Night photos don't usually come out for me making this one even more exciting.

a Taste of Israel in Manhattan

One of CSJ's cousins asked us if we didn't think the falafel and hummus in Israel was far superior to that in New York (I already touched this subject in a post about falafel).

After time, we realized that pretty much all the food in Israel was better than food in New York - a realization that hit us hard while trying to satisfy our cravings upon return.
And then we went to Olympic Pita.

ShiksainIsrael is committed to reporting and sharing information about Israel, but she must make an exception for this great restaurant in Manhattan. Fantastic soups, laffa bread, numerous salads and meats...Olympic Pita is a real treat, and a real taste of Israel.

on Fridays they close 2 hours before shabbat, and on Saturdays they open 2 hours after shabbat.

a picture from Tel Aviv: Sunset over the Med Sea

CSJ loves this picture so I thought maybe some readers would too.
It was taken from the Port of Tel Aviv.

This is a good opportunity for me to ask for reader photo submissions.
Have a picture you want to share? Email me with a nongigantic photo and a description of where it was taken. If I like it (or CSJ does) I'll put it up on shiksainisrael.

Slow for Inspection

Somehow I expected that we'd see more signs like this one - Slow for Inspection - while driving around Israel.
The only Inspection stops I recall are: entering Jerusalem, and entering the Airport. That's a heck of a sentence; hopefully it makes sense to you.

You know how you immediately feel guilty whenever a police officer is near? That's how it feels when you approach a checkpoint or see one of these signs. But it's just a feeling. Even if you're a shiksa you're not guilty so don't fret. The inspection is no big deal.

Don't believe me? CSJ and I arrived at a Jerusalem checkpoint half covered in Dead Sea mud, half dressed, and half wet...and the gun-carrying guard guy didn't even flinch.

Anyone ever have a real problem (for no good reason) at a checkpoint? Let me know.

Te'enim: kosher vegetarian that rocks (ask CSJ)

It's not easy to find but it's worth the struggle - Te'enim is one of the best restaurants in Jerusalem.

Te'enim (which means figs) is...I was almost going to say a hidden gem because it seriously is but that makes me afraid of myself...lovely. CSJ and I sat at a table by a large open window overlooking the edge of the city. We drank lemonada (of course) and ate salads and a sort of quiche and soup.

Te'enim
Emile Botta 12
Yamin Moshe
Confederation House
Jerusalem

(think: behind the King David Hotel)

looks like the NYTimes knows about Te'enim. read here. it's not much, but it's something.

Neck at El Baboor, the VIP Lunch

avert your eyes, vegetarians, the Shiksa eats animals (though she does pause when it comes to poultry).

To the left is a picture of a braised and stuffed (with rice) lamb neck we were served for lunch at El Baboor. I actually wanted to order a sort of pot pie I saw at another table, but the good waiter convinced us we were VIP's, and we fell for it, so we agreed to the mac daddy entree: neck.

Notice the steamy rice in there? The dish came to the table and I momentarily regretted our choice (mostly because it was gigantic for lunch). One look at the inside, however, and I was placated. And once I tasted the tender/moist/succulent meat, I was in heaven. CSJ too.

The spine itself (the bones) were pretty cool, as you can see. The spinal cord made me gag, but I was able to continue eating after I hid it under some rice. All in all our neck experience was fantastic. Though I must suggest you have it for dinner, not lunch (unless you're not planning to eat dinner that day).

El Baboor is in Umm El Fahm. Don't turn right into the town, stay on 65 towards Afula and the restaurant will be on your left, up a sort of hill. You'll see the sign. Holy cow I'm giving directions like my mom.

Mini Israel is NOT Mini Jerusalem, and vice versa

Somewhere between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is Mini Israel.

From Hwy 1: Turn off at the Latrun junction towards the Armored Corps site. At the traffic light, after about 500 meters, turn right, and after 1 km turn left into the Park.
-or- From Hwy 3: Continue from Nachshon junction to Latrun junction (Sheva junction), turn left at the junction, (just before the Armored Corps Memorial), and after about 1 km turn left into the park.

Entry is no more than 65-NIS (it varies with age and size of group). Mini Israel opens 10am every day; closing times differ. Call with questions: 08-913-0000.

Here's the Shiksa's question: how Mini is Mini Israel when the tour in a mini electric vehicle takes about an hour?

Mini Jerusalem (aka the model of Jerusalem from the Late Second Temple Era) is actually Mini. It's an exhibit at the Israel Museum and is 2000 square meters, built to a 1:50 scale.

CSJ was convinced that Mini Israel and Mini Jerusalem from the Late Second Temple Era were the same thing. I knew better. In the end he was quite satisfied by Mini Jerusalem from the Late Second Temple Era and did not need to see Mini Israel. I think it's because we did the headphone guide thing. I highly recommend it.

the truth about Manta Ray

Is there anyone who hasn't heard of Manta Ray, the seaside restaurant in Tel Aviv? Well, CSJ hadn't but anyone who reads anything about Tel Aviv will eventually read something about Manta Ray (kind of like right now).

but let me first say that the best thing about the David Intercontinental and the Dan Panorama is their proximity to Manta Ray. You can cross the crazy street and walk south along the Tel Aviv Promenade (towards Jaffa) to Manta Ray. it's so close even CSJ can do it.

anyway, here's the truth about Manta Ray: the food is pretty good but you are most definitely there for the location. the food is not bad, but it's also not cheap because you are paying for the location. did I already mention that? Manta Ray is all about location. And the location rocks. You're right on the sand (on a deck) with a view of the Med Sea and Jaffa. It's very cool. Best to wait for an outside table or there's really no point in going.

that being said, the food is decent, but only if you remember that you are there for the - say it with me - location.

Manta Ray
open daily 9am to midnight 972-03-517-4773

Sheinkin Street, Tel Aviv

noted restaurants (Orna & Ella), clothing boutiques, shoes, music, cafes, and many funky shops (up and coming designers?) make up Tel Aviv's Sheinkin Street.

Everything I read says Sheinkin Street is trendy but I never really know what that means - it's trendy to go there? That sort of thinking generally has me running in the opposite direction but I do think Sheinkin Street is worth a stroll. I love cities and this is a great city street.

but I guess you can figure it out for yourself: SheinkinStreetSite

Teva Naot Factory / Outlet, and other regrets

CSJ is upset we did not go to Caesarea and I am upset we did not go to the Teva factory. It’s impossible to see and do everything, no matter how hard I try. Of course CSJ saw Caesarea 20 years ago while I have never seen the Teva factory. I’ve never seen any shoe factory. CSJ did not even believe me that there was a factory; he kept saying, “it’s just store.” He was wrong.

Mostly I am interested in Tevas because they bought the Alps people after the Alps factory burnt down (is that the story?). And I still have my old Alps (I tread lightly), and they’re great for Israel, and I’d like to show them to the Teva people and see if they can make me a new/similar pair.

The Teva Naot Outlet is on Kibbutz Naot Mordechai (CSJ’s Hebrew name, by the way). It’s open Sun-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri and holiday eves 8am-1pm, Sat and holidays 9:30a-5p.

You get there by driving Road 90 north to road 977 (between Rosh Pina and Kiryat Shmona). From that direction the kibbutz will be on the right hand side of 977.

What else should we know? Who bought some sandals there?

Teva Naot Outlet
Kibbutz Naot Mordechai
T: 972-4-694-8133
www.tevanaot.co.il