Shiksa in Israel

Edible Adventures in Paris

You know you knew it was coming - me blabbing about another trip - so hold onto your horses we're going to France. To get us prepared for our journey, above is the first (and so far only) book I have to guide me. Thanks, mom (seriously).
Clotilde is the chocolate & zucchini girl.

I like this book, but it is flawed so beware. I strongly urge you to check prices and schedules before you try any place Clotilde recommends. It's like the book was written 2 years ago. And that, of course, is the trouble with guidebooks. That being said, it's enjoyable and easy to read.

In case you find it hard to trust someone who is making rice krispie treats while writing this post, Le Pré Catelan just called to tell me they are not serving lunch on Sundays anymore because they are no longer open on Sundays. 

Glatt Kosher Cruises and Tours for Passover, and More

Kosherica - five-star Glatt Kosher cruise company - recently put out its 2008 cruise vacation schedule.
No, they don't go to Israel but I got excited by the Glatt Kosher thing since Passover is coming.

Here's the link to their list of Passover Destinations
Or you can call them: 305-695-2700 -or- 877-724-5567
Tell them the Shiksa sent you, and tell me how you enjoy the cruise.

Israel Hostels – Independent Travelers’ Accommodation

Israel has a new hostel association: ILH, the first independent hostel group in Israel.

ILH says they are "dedicated to providing quality hostels at affordable prices throughout Israel , from the Red Sea to the Golan Heights."

Each hostel has its own ambiance and character, and its own special innkeepers. But those hosts all have one thing in common: They want you to enjoy Israel and their hostels as much as they do.

Check one out and let us know what you think. Here they are: ILH
Bonus: you do not have to become a member to stay in these hostels.

Snow in Jerusalem!

see, it does snow in Jerusalem...

Jerusalem's iconic Dome of the Rock - normally a resplendent gold - was turned half white on Wednesday morning. Snowfalls blanketed streets and buildings with an inch-thick of powder.
Jerusalem's school, universities and court houses all closed for the day.
In a city more used to high temperatures than snow, the wintry weather seemed to be appreciated by those residents braving the cold. "The snow brings people together," said Oded Goldberger, 19, wearing a hat and gloves. "It's something really special."
In some parts of Jerusalem, people were making snowmen while others were having snowball fights. The city's mayor is expected to judge a snowman competition on Wednesday afternoon.

here's a link to the full story by Martin Patience: Rare snowfall blankets Jerusalem

and here are some older pictures from a site called BiblePlaces: pictures of snow in Jerusalem

How far did Mary and Joseph Walk (aka how far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem)?

Nazareth and Bethlehem are almost directly north and south of one another in the center of Israel. there's a highway there now (#60) that connects them but Mary and Joseph would be wise to avoid that road since it runs through Samaria, now major Palestinian territory (think Ramallah).

Today, like then, you have to pass through Jerusalem to get to Bethlehem. It's about 80 miles on #60 from Nazareth to Jerusalem, and less than 10 more to Bethlehem.
I have almost no doubt that Joseph and Mary would have taken a longer way to get there. They would have gone east to the Jordan River (safer, not to mention cooler/easier to be near the water) then walked south, then west to Jerusalem, adding about 30 miles to their trip.
I'd guess they walked about 120 miles.
one way.
pregnant on a donkey
just saying

also, the altitude would get lower as they walked south towards the Dead Sea (where the Jordan River ends) but entering Jerusalem would be a bit of a hill

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.

Who trusts random Taxi drivers?

Not the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
Check out the sign that's in the front of their luxury lobby.

Think about that when you think about taxis in Israel.

p.s. I think it's more about getting scammed than being unsafe, but taxi info seems right for my safety category.

Tel Aviv Map

Now you don't have to imagine the Tel Aviv map on top of the Jaffa map, here it is. Now you have to imagine the Jaffa map attached to the bottom of this one.

the blue pen circle at the bottom / southern part of this Tel Aviv map is around the David Intercontinental hotel, which means the restaurant Manta Ray is just below it. 

It's all coming together for you, isn't it?

Jaffa Map

obviously this map of Jaffa isn't perfectly clear, but it is clear enough to get a sense of what you're walking/driving into. Tel Aviv is north of Jaffa (imagine a map on top of this one).

free Jaffa maps are available all over Tel Aviv (hotels, car rental agencies, tourist agencies, shops, etc).