Photo prints, cards, and such are available of Tsfat

Visit this Cafepress store for Pictures of Tsfat/Safed/Tzfat.

Looking South over Lake Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee

On beautiful days, the haze clears and the Sea of Galilee is visible looking south of Tsfat. To the right in this picture is the Ziv Medical Center. The construction is the new radiation medicine wing.

Klezmer Festival 2013

The main stage outside the Ottoman period fort, Saraya, got off to a late start last night. This was the first night of the  2013 Klezmer Festival in Tsfat. A beautiful night breeze (cold for those not from the cooler upper altitudes), lots of people in the streets, it's a party!

The light show on the Sarya fort. They sky was lit up with search lights, too.

The main stage at Saraya outside. There is also a stage inside the Saraya.

Every year as I round the bend going down Alozorov street to the Kikar Sade area, a smile comes to face. My little town filled with revelers for three nights a year.

Shadow kids! The kids found that one of the light sources gave them a perfect spot so make shadow shows on a nearby apartment building.

Lights are all lit up for the party.

I think I will have to shlep my tripod the next two nights for pictures. This is a night view from the area near Bagdad Café looking down into the Galilee hills at night.
 

 

Beyn Hazmanim in Tsfat -- More guests than locals

A few street scenes of an evening during the summer yeshiva world recess. Couldn't capture the amazing clear skies with full moon and stars, or the cool breeze. And it's still quiet, even with all the guests.

Looking down the big stairs that divide the Old City from the Artist's Quarter.

Looking up the Medrechov, the main street. It's not even Klezmer festival yet, and folks are in the streets.

Looking down the main street. It's not blocked off from cars, just a quiet evening with most everyone out on foot.

In the Old City, everything is antique.

Buggy parking in the Gan Hakasum, the mystical park.

Street lights coming on. G'night!

 

Summer plants again!

I sure do love the sound of the birds and the smell of the plants.
Summer is here!


Baby Grapes on the vine.

Lots of lemons on the tree.

Really looking forward to olives in the fall.

Roses, of course.

 

Spring Flowers, of course

Various flowering things in Tsfat.



In my garden.



Pomegranite tree in full bloom.

Baby grapes

Lemon blossoms.

Olive blossom buds

Olive tree in bloom.

Loving the beginning of summer!

Tiberius, less than an hour away

The bus is quick and easy. Enjoy a trip to the Sea of Galilee. The Kinneret awaits.


Looking north, you can see Mt. Hermon over the waters of the Kinneret.

Decks restaurant, with the city behind it.

Looking east to the Golan Heights.

Can't say I'm sad that the Galilee Experience is closed down. The Galilee is defined by oh so much more than one person.
 

The Lido boat launching, with Mt Hermon in the background.

Sunset. Mt. Hermon in the background

Birds enjoying the fishing action and leftovers near shore.

It's small, but it's mighty. The Sea of Galilee.

 

Summer 2012 winding down

Some images of late summer in Tsfat.

The pomegranites are ripening.

The grape leaves are turning color.

Evenings are cool, with occasional clouds in the West.

As evening comes in on the Metsuda.

 

Klezmer Festival is already past, but here are some memories.

The night streets in the Old City of Tsfat.

Snacks Middle Eastern style.

Fireworks!

Blurry street scene.



New Yard -- fruit trees

I moved, and am delighted to have a yard that is not the dumping ground for a 13 story building.

Pomegranites growing.Alsothe lemon tree next to it.

Grape vines!

Another perspecitve, with the lemon tree on the right, grape vines on the left.

Peering through the lemon tree to the porch.

Funny little tyos in the ivy.

Spring 2012/5772

Took a walk on Sunday afternoon Chol Hamoed. Spring is lovely after a good winter of rain.

Great colors in the Old City with flowers in bloom and blue pain renewed for Pesach.

The quiet of Tsfat may seem boring to some. I find it peaceful and restful and beautiful.

Leading to the Mayan Haradum square.

Flowers and the colors of the Artists's Quarter

Antiquities built into the rebuilt walls.

Even the mail boxes are artistic.

New figs are still small and unripe. I love the smell of the fig trees.

Old city wall with rose bush in bloom.

It's also bird migration season. Caught this glimpse from between the walls of an Old City alley.

Some trees in waiting for their spring green.

Leading down to the famous cemetary, all is green.

We notice the years as yellow, or red, or occasionally blue. Sometimes it goes straight to brown, if there haven't been enough rains. This year is a "yellow year".

The yellow carpet of the cemetary. Behind the tree in the center and covered with an overhead shelter is the Ari's gravesite.