The Tzfat Herald

31/07/2024

By
Susan Cohen
Managing Editor

It's been six months since our local elections. The numbers said we wanted a change, but did we really get one for the better?

Despite the continuing raging war, how are we doing as a city?

Lousy. There's a new mayor and council, and they are as petty, snarky and unresponsive to residents as the previous cast of characters, and completely out of touch with the issues and challenges facing Tzfatim.

While the mayor has no time to meet with citizen advocacy groups,his tenure so far is notable for the important things he hasn't done- other than hand out political favors.

The Revacha remains unresponsive to the over half the city that requires it's assistance. Emergency, senior and youth services are sorely lacking and they have been without a department head for most of the last six years.

The vice mayor in charge of Immigration and Absorption, who has been in the job for over 20 years and receives a salary hovering close to the mayor's 40,000 nis monthly salary, has made it clear that Olim from Russia are his ONLY interest and that providing any support to other olim- especially English speakers are of no concern to him- evidenced by his total lack of interest in the large constituency. There has been no one in the community liaison job for over two years, and no entries on the city's English page for just as long.

Jerusalem Street is a shameful mess. Potholes, filth, disgusting and inaccessible bathrooms, no signage, cracked sidewalks and unenforced traffic and parking rules coupled with drastically reduced foot traffic account for empty storefronts and increasingly failing businesses.

While the mayor met with tourism officials, we haven't had a tourism chief for years. Our number one industry is neglected and unimaginative, with vendors, tzimmer operators, restaurants, artists and musicians devastated.

It has been left to the non-profit Sparks to Life - ניצוצות לחיים to raise the money and partner with outside sources to build life-saving shelters without the city lifting a finger to help. He FINALLY met with them today.

The mayor knows nothing about life here, and has a young, inexperienced staff who knows even less.

Do you want to live like this for the next four and a half years?

The city is in debt with no economic development plan. The poor get poorer and friends of the Iriya get to build without permits and other violations while the city turns a blind eye.

No transparency.

I am the second of four generations of my family to live in Tzfat and I'm not going anywhere. Our 40,000 shekel a month mayor and the special interest council needs to be held accountable by all of us.

24/07/2024

These are the brave and accomplished Israeli athletes on their way to compete in the Paris Olympics.

Watching with pride.

18/06/2023

Tzfat Unplugged

ELECTION WATCH

By
Susan Cohen
Managing Editor

After years of being locked off from the public, Gan Ziffer was once again “gifted” to Anglo olim.

It was a group of Americans who first brought the park nestled in the Artists Colony to the attention of the municipality. Keys were given to several members of the community and private funds were used to clean the neglected space that had been fenced and inaccessible for years. After the mayor visited the park, he retrieved the keys with no explanation (please refer to the attached article).

The park remained inaccessible for another two years while work was done by the city. Vegetation was removed, sculptures moved, and passive open green space was replaced with a slab of concrete. Neighbors and residents of the Artists Colony were kept out of the planning.

Several weeks ago, a handful of Tzfatim and non-residents were invited by the Iriya to form a vaad. No open process. No city-wide invitation to apply. No requirements for board members. The mayor simply contacted someone seen to be a political ally
and left the organizing to them.

Last week's meeting brought out good, creative, accomplished people with the best of intentions. While the mayor repeatedly referred to it as a gift to the Anglos, it belongs to the city and is technically not his to give and in fact can be seen as a political gift in a hotly contested election year.

But it is the city's contention that it will not give a contract that should be most disturbing.

In 2021, there were many meetings held between world-renowned muralist Solomon Souza,the mayor, his assistant Yasmin Day, Public Information Officer Shalom Elbaz and myself regarding painting murals on the exterior walls of Sheva Chaya's gallery. The mayor's notes on subjects, size and colors were all considered. Yasmin Day came on two different occasions to paint and one night to meet privately with Solomon at his home.

All systems were go-except when it came to payment. When Solomon went to the Iriya to collect his agreed upon 30,000 shekel, he was yelled at and dismissed by the mayor because “we never had a written contract”.

This administration has a long record of not paying its debts with or without contracts. Arbitrary decisions made without council or public approval. Gifts in return for votes. Promises not kept.

The Artists Colony, once the jewel of the Old City has been ignored and neglected for years. The streets are filthy, parking horrendous and there are no trash cans or public bathrooms. Steps are battered and dangerous, there is no signage and there are long stretches of stairs with no railings. It is a reflection of this administration's lack of regard for both the tourists and residents.

Gan Ziffer is a beautiful spot and there should be active, imaginative art, music and dance programming constantly. It should be open daily for passive use and meditation. A board should be elected- not appointed-representing the community- including teens.

Don't be fooled.

16/06/2023

Precious Resource Neglected by City Nestled in the corner of Rechov Tet Vav sits a beautiful sculpture garden, left to the city by Moshe Ziffer, one of Israel’s most prolific artists of the late twentieth century. At 17, Ziffer, (1902-1989) immigrated to Israel from Poland. After studying sculptur...

01/06/2023

מלי אשכנזי באוגוסט 2020 החלו במרכז העיר צפת הפגנות נגד עמותת הלל, הפגנות הנערכות מדי שבוע ונמשכות עד עצם ימים אלו. מפרוץ הסוגיה לתודעת הציבור, יש הרבה דיסאינפורמציה וב....

01/06/2023

In August 2020, demonstrations against the Hillel NGO (Non-Profit Organization) erupted in Tzfat's city center. Weekly demonstrations have continued ever since. As public awareness of the demonstrations grew, so did misinformation and confusion about Hillel's activities, the motives of its members a...

01/06/2023

גן הפסלים של משה ציפר : נווה בעיר העתיקה בצפת מסוזן כהן תרגום: עצמונה ווקסמן גן ציפר ממוקם ברחוב ט"ו סמוך למלון רימונים בעיר העתיקה . בעבר היה גן פסלים יפהפה, שהותיר לע....

30/05/2023

THE TAMBOURINE DREAM FESTIVAL:
Making Dreams Come True

By
Susan Cohen
Managing Editor

When visitors ask me what makes Tzfat so distinctly spiritual, I always give the women who learn, teach, pray, nurture and lift their voices in song and dance top-of-the-list credit.

It was Aviva Spiegel's longing to spend time at the beach that was the impetus for the Tambourine Dream Festival.

Ten years ago, married, with six young children at home, she yearned to be seaside occasionally to rejuvenate her physically and spiritually. Inspired by a talk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe urging women to begin celebrating the Redemption not only through learning and prayer but with music and dance, an idea gave birth to one of the most anticipated women’s celebrations of the year.

A Stanford University graduate and veteran of years of shlichut in both the United States and Israel, activism and organization had become second nature to her. On her arrival in Tzfat, she quickly connected with the women already creating events and initiated creative celebrations for Chanukah and Purim. With her pre-Teshuva experiences of beach parties and Grateful Dead concerts, she conjured a plan to produce a beach side celebration for women encompassing an atmosphere of Torah, music and dance.

With no sponsor or capitol, Aviva was confident that ticket sales would cover the costs of the beach rental, musicians and promotion. She signed on some of Israel's most prolific female musicians- Tziona Achishena, Chava Rochel Saban and Michal Shababo- and secured a location on the Kinneret.

It's been ten years and the dream is flourishing. Women from all walks of life- singles, married and lots of mommies toting their offspring and camping gear, gather beach side for three days of Torah, music and inspiration. This year's celebration brings longtime participants and a host of newcomers eager to join the festivities.

For Tzipporah Modes, it is a welcome respite from daily life. "Last year was the hardest of my life. I had an extremely difficult pregnancy, and could not walk for three months after the birth. I was in a very low place physically, emotionally and spiritually. Without exaggerating at all, the festival changed my life. I was finally able to open up and feel free to be me and totally connected to Hashem."

Bonding with other women and attention to self care is a vital component of the festival philosophy. Says community activist Meira Roome, "The first time I came to the Tambourine Festival, I had three children under three and my husband was serving in the IDF. To say I needed some self care is a huge understatement. My neighbor told me about it and I decided to go with her for a day. I was immediately hooked, addicted to the laughter, the feminine achdus, the Torah classes- even the swimming was uplifting. I was experiencing my own personal geula, and it repeatedly brought me to joyful tears. I have gone every year since, and eventually became involved in the festival's organizational operations."

For Aviva, whose eternal optimism and fearlessness for challenge and hard work is boundless, this year of Hakel will be particularly joyful.

"Over the years, as I've internalized more the teachings of Chassidus, the kavanna of the festival has transformed to also reflect a very specific goal- to "birth Geula". The driving force behind the festival is to provide an atmosphere of joy, love and support for women to actually experience levels of quantum healing and revelation of personal truth. I'm addicted to those moments at the festival- during the improvisational dance circle jams, when I get it with my whole being that we're already birthing the Geula. Where will you be and what will you be doing when you experience that quantum shift in your reality? Step into the Circle- we're ready!

26/01/2023

26/01/2023

YOHAI EZRA RESIGNS FROM MAYOR'S COALITION:

City council member cites mismanagement, incompetence and lack of transparency in fiery letter.

Ezra, completing his first term on council, has been critical of the mayor's lack of effectiveness on critical issues. While unannounced, he is considered a strong contender for mayor in upcoming municipal elections.

26/01/2023

07/01/2023

Tonight is my mother's Yahrzeit, and I honor her with a re-publishing of this article.

My family is now four generations in the city my parents loved. I am honored to call Tzfat my forever home.

By
Susan Cohen

This week marks my mother's yahrzeit. Tzfat became her home in 1979, and she is buried here along with my father and brother.

Channah Leah (Lillian) Reingold Cohen was elegant, sophisticated and beautiful.

She taught me to be polite, generous and kind. Both secular and Jewish schooling for her own children and the greater community was a priority, and she shared my father's commitment to charity and community service. Her devotion to Judaism factored into everything she did. She was passionate, loyal and opinionated.

When there was no proper Jewish high school for her children, she created one.

Her fearless nature and unwavering motivation were vocal, articulate, and creative, and she never shied away from speaking out for the voiceless and disenfranchised.

It was her inspiration that led me to be a journalist and activist, and never to take no for an answer. Caring for others was her daily example, and judgments of others based on economics, color or s*x was unacceptable. My world opened up when she introduced me to Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Lillian Hellman.

Maintaining an open, beautiful home came easily to her- she was a master in the kitchen, and a classy hostess who hated paper plates and soda bottles on the table.

Opinionated, resourceful and endlessly imaginative, she could make a beautiful centerpiece out of a bleach bottle.

My mother was a fiercely devoted wife and mother who loved America, but the passion she shared with my father for Israel led them to take the pioneering step of leaving their privileged life to move to Israel.- where she jumped into service with her usual gusto.

Livnot, the library, the Ethiopian community, the blind school and feeding the hungry were just some of the things that filled her days here. I run into people every day who have a story about her. The Botzers, Glasers, Monds, Shlomo שלמה חדד, Rena Cohen, Linda Curzon Stern, Nechama Solomon, Laurie Sendler Rappeport, the Sivans and even Rav Eliyahu have fond memories of her- and their recollections usually have something that involves her determination to get things done- often unconventionally.

She was extremely proud of my writing career, and when she would try to convince me to make aliyah, she would say, " come to Tzfat and we will start an English newspaper."

This is her desk, which she brought to Tzfat when my parents came here from Malden. On it, she created countless school and shul newsletters and fundraising letters, flyers for community events, and wrote articles for the Jewish Advocate and Young Israel Viewpoint. Her numerous address books sat next to the Royal typewriter, along with her countless lists and correspondence.

It now sits in the Edyth Geiger Library, a place she championed from the time it was just a dream. I teach English there now, and the stacks are peppered with books from my parents' extensive library.

I hear her voice in my ear editing my work and pushing me to make The Tzfat Herald a success- despite the challenges.

I visit the cemetery often, and her spirit inspires me. As I start my own life in Tzfat, I find something every day that prompts me to think, "what would Mommy say?"

07/01/2023

This year, my mother's Yahrzeit is on my father's birthday.

Yaakov HaKohen Ben Kalman Mordechai- "Jimmy" Cohen- was a man of intelligence, compassion and devotion. He treated everyone- his family, neighbors and workers with the utmost respect.

It was not unusual to come home and find a meshulach who had come from New York to Malden- to collect money for charity, sitting at the table eating a hot meal before Daddy drove him to the train. He was the last man to leave the synagogue on Shabbat- making sure everyone had a place to go.

His compassion for those less fortunate knew no bounds. He was always involved in civic and Jewish matters, and read the Torah, blew shofar, and layned the megillah after shul for the homebound.

He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Jewish War Veterans and countless other Jewish and civic organizations. He learned Talmud, listened to Classical music and read Yiddish and Russian literature.

He was an intellect and Jewish scholar who spoke seven languages and loved cantorial music and musical theatre. Daddy taught his children to love literature, Torah and Israel. The desire to educate his children and provide opportunities for others to learn was a passion he shared with my mother, and together they spent their lives tirelessly opening the doors of Jewish education.

There were beautiful road trips, summers on Cape Cod, and trips to Israel. I share his tremendous love for the ocean, travel and fishing.

He lived a life that set an example of what it means to show chesed- benevolence. He never refused a chance to do acts of kindness to others.

He instilled his love for Israel in his children from birth. When my parents moved to Israel in 1979, it was a lifelong dream fulfilled. They chose Tzfat, a holy city filled with art, music, history and holiness. He became a tour guide, teacher and continued his life long passion for chesed, forgiving loans, welcoming new Ethiopian immigrants, and learning every day.

He taught me to ride a bicycle, bait a hook and clean a fish. We shared a love for Rome, spicy food, Yiddish stage plays, and Alan Sherman.

He treated his children like jewels and my mother like a queen.

I could talk to him about everything- religion, politics, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Sholom Asch.

He was a man of faith- faith in Gd, faith in the human spirit, and faith in me.

He is still with me. When I am lost or confused, I cry and say, "Daddy what should I do?"

I miss him. His example continues to guide me, and my love for him is stronger now than ever. He shares my joy, and comforts me when I am sad.

This picture was taken somewhere in North Africa in 1944. It says so much about him.

My parents' love for Tzfat was deep and lives in my heart and the souls of his grandson and great grandchildren following them in this holy city.

May their memories always be a blessing.

02/12/2022

Nestled in the corner of Rechov Yet Vav, the newly renovated Merzer Gallery boosts the Artists Colony revival movement underway since last summer.

The Artists Quarter Minyan and Yonit Tayar's popular Todayah Gallery head the street, and there are at least 8 working artists up to Maayan HaRadum. The neighborhood is taking on new life and Yonatan Darmon's Etz Ha Toot Cafe next to Masha's Gallery has opened opposite Magamat Music Center now offers a food option for the neighborhood.

While the future is bright for the neighborhood, there are challenges. To date, no garbage receptacles, no traffic and parking rules, and enforcement, and the big lock on Gan Ziffer signal have long been neglected by the municipality.

Not to be discouraged, artists and community members are enthusiastic and devoted to restoring the historic past for new times.

22/11/2022

With national elections over, the locals are lining up in anticipation of next year’s municipal elections in Tzfat. The quality of our day-to-day lives depends largely on how local government operates.

So how do you think we’re doing?

We have a right to expect a lot better. Most of us are not dazzled by kikarot or signs professing love for our great city. The cultural divide between local Israelis and Anglo olim are most evident surrounding politics.

Americans are used to transparency. City council and other legislative bodies are required to announce all public meetings and encourage citizens to participate. Major issues, like budgets, building and social service issues receive regular interaction with residents. Public information officers are readily available to disseminate information, and officials are well known and accessible to citizens. Building permits must be posted and supervised, and there are community representatives eager to get public input. Political influence and gifts are carefully monitored, and nepotism closely scrutinized. Conflicts of interest are examined and city staff prioritizes citizen inquiries.

Not so here.

There is no public posting of moatza (city council) meetings, and the public is discouraged from attending- as evidenced by the tiny room where they are held. While the current mayor is not one to miss a photo opp, he does not conduct open meetings, and appointments are difficult to get. It has been over two years since the public information officer left, and the only source of news is the mayor’s social media posts.

While we are one of the poorest cities in the country, it took over two years for a replacement to be named to the social service department- leaving the position open during the height of Covid. Tourism is our # 1 industry, yet we have no tourist officer or information center. Parking and traffic is a nightmare, and our distressed Midrachov with dirty, inaccessible facilities and the filthy street has made the lack of economic development even more apparent. The replacement of a dozen badly needed parking spaces next to city hall with another kikar that has limited seating and no garbage cans is yet another indication of what matters to the powers that be.

The “Olim move to Tzfat” talking points provide no back up. The city has a deputy mayor in charge of immigration with a staff dedicated to bringing the Russian community enormous resources including community centers, tutoring programs, chess clubs, social events and a library. Anglo olim receive none of these benefits or considerations. There have been three city liaisons to the Anglo community in the last four years who worked tirelessly with just lip service in return. The position has been vacant for many months, and hopeful olim who come with the dream of buying property here are thwarted when trying to get proper permits, while friends of the city build illegally as the city turns a blind eye.

Ziffer Garden remains closed and a disabled woman has been restricted access to her home for years because the city won’t enforce a judgement.

Our city is filthy. Yes, residents and tourists have a lot to do with it, but the city needs to take a leadership role. More bins and garbage cans throughout the city, with regular and thorough pickups. Signage and fines for dumping and littering. Clean up all public restrooms and power wash Jerusalem Street more than just at festival time.

The city cannot promote itself as a center of art and music if they do not promote, support and encourage music and art. Holy sites must be maintained. The divide between religious factions must be tightened.

Nepotism and cronyism need to stop. Corruption and collusion need to be challenged. The mayor’s son should not be drawing a salary from the city basketball team and his lovely but inexperienced wife is not a qualified Knesset candidate. Showy doesn’t mean substantive, and don’t say you care when we know you care more about power than you care about doing the right thing for our holy city.

The candidates now lining up are familiar faces with the same message.. We are a year away from elections and already social media posts are filled with anger, attacks and personal vendettas.
Our beloved city deserves to be led by men and women with vision, commitment and a desire to maximize our great potential. We deserve to choose from the best of the best, not from the best of the worst.

Will moral, creative and independent, owe-nothing-to-anybody citizens like be motivated to come forward? Will other potential leaders be inspired to step up, challenge the status quo and help us achieve our great potential?

It’s time for new leadership.

By
Susan Cohen

With national elections over, the locals are lining up in anticipation of next year’s municipal elections in Tzfat.

The quality of our day-to-day living depends largely on how local government operates. So how do you think we’re doing?

We have a right to expect a lot better. Most of us are not dazzled by kikarot or signs professing love for our great city.

The cultural differences between the local Israelis and Anglo olim are most evident surrounding politics. Americans are used to transparency. City council and other legislative bodies are required to announce all public meetings and encourage citizens to participate. Major issues, like budgets, building and social services receive regular interaction with residents. Public information officers are readily available to disseminate information, and officials are well known and accessible to citizens. Building permits must be posted and supervised, and there are community representatives eager to get public input. Political influence and gifts are carefully monitored, and nepotism closely scrutinized. Conflicts of interest are examined and city staff prioritizes citizen inquiries.

Not so here.

There is no public posting of moatza (city council) meetings, and the public is discouraged from attending- as evidenced by the tiny room where they are held. While the current mayor is not one to miss a photo opp, he does not conduct open meetings, and appointments are difficult to get. It has been over two years since the public information officer left, and the only source of news is the mayor’s social media posts. While we are one of the poorest cities in the country, it took over two years for a replacement to be named to the social service department- leaving the position open during the height of Covid. Tourism is our # 1 industry, yet we have no tourist officer or information center.

Parking and traffic is a nightmare, and our distressed Midrachov with dirty, inaccessible facilities and the filthy street has made the lack of economic development even more apparent. The replacement of a dozen badly needed parking spaces next to city hall with another kikar that has limited seating and no garbage cans is yet another indication of what matters to the powers that be.

The “Olim move to Tzfat” talking points provide no back up. The city has a deputy mayor in charge of immigration with a staff dedicated to bringing the Russian community enormous resources including community centers, tutoring programs, chess clubs, social events and a library. Anglo olim receive none of these benefits or considerations. There have been three city liaisons to the Anglo community in the last four years who worked tirelessly with just lip service in return. The position has been vacant for many months, and hopeful olim who come with the dream of buying property here are thwarted when trying to get proper permits, while friends of the city build illegally as the city turns a blind eye. Ziffer Garden remains closed and a disabled woman has been restricted access to her home for years because the city won’t enforce a judgement. Kids are roaming the streets and runaways are living in abandoned buildings because there are almost no extracurricular, enrichment or mental health resources available.

Our city is filthy. Yes, the residents have a lot to do with it, but the city needs to take a leadership role. More bins and garbage cans throughout the city, with regular and thorough pickups. Signage and fines for dumping and littering. Clean up all public restrooms and power wash Jerusalem Street more than just at festival time.
The city cannot promote itself as a center of art and music if they do not promote, support and encourage music and art. Holy sites must be maintained. The divide between religious factions must be tightened.

Nepotism and cronyism need to stop. Corruption and collusion need to be challenged. The mayor’s son should not be drawing a salary from the city basketball team and his lovely but inexperienced wife is not a qualified Knesset candidate. Showy doesn’t mean substantive, and don’t say you care when we know you care more about power than you care about doing the right thing for our holy city.

The candidates now lining up are familiar faces- no women. We are a year away from elections and already social media posts are filled with anger, attacks and personal vendettas.

Our beloved city deserves to be led by men and women with vision, commitment and a desire to maximize our great potential. We deserve to choose from the best of the best, not from the best of the worst.

Will moral, creative and independent, owe-nothing-to-anybody citizens like Aron Kita or Yona Cohen be motivated to come forward? Will other potential leaders be inspired to step up, challenge the status quo and help us achieve our great potential?

It’s time for new leadership.,,,