IMPRESSIONS FROM THE OLD CITY OF SAFED

Photos by Uri Eshkar

OWLTALK

There are many owls out there nowadays in the creative world - in very different styles and from all kinds of materials - and as I can see they are always pretty and lovely - it must be those big eyes!

I made an owl wall hanging many years ago while living in America.

It was actually a challenge from a quilt store in Mountain View, California, The Quilting Bee, which then belonged to Diane Leone, later her son overtook it. 

She designed the fabrics you had to use in a quilt, otherwise your imagination could run wild. I made first place with my owl quilt and won the prize, a 200$ store bonus - and I stocked up on fabric big time!!!

Many of you living in the United States will recognize some of the sayings here. 
You remember Joan Rivers sweeping on stage, arms out strechted, shouting: Gossip, Gossip, Gossip!? 

Or Jerry Springer, at the end of his talk shows always saying: Take care of yourself, and of each other!? 

An all the talk shows  (yes, this was new to me, and I delighted in talk shows for a while!), about weight loss! Oh Oprah! The guests whining: I lost twenty pounds, but I gained it all back? 

Oh well - I sure had a feast with this quilt, as you can see!

Machine pieced, hand quilted, hand embroidered, machine appliqued, cotton fabric, 137cm x 114cm 
Photos by Ran Erde (except the last two)

GRAVESTONES - STONES ON GRAVES

There is this Jewish tradition to leave a stone on the grave after the burial and whenever visiting the grave. Why is this practiced and where does it come from?
After searching for the reason I came to the conclusion that there is no sophisticated answer to it. It is simply a symbol of remembering the deceased. It is an act of kindness and mitzvah to put a marker on the grave and a pebble is most suitable. It will stay there, no wind will blow it away, it will not wilt like a flower and not go out like a candle. 

The stone says: I was here, I remember you, you are in my heart, I love you! Or it may say: I respect you, I admire you, I appreciate your deeds! It may say: I long for you, I miss you! It may say: I came to cry, to weep, but I am comforted now! It may say: I was here, I don't know you, but I honor your memory!
 

There is not an exact answer to it. In ancient times, before this tradition started, piles of stones would be put on the graves to protect them from the elements and from animals. That was way before inscribed tombstones were erected over the burial plot. Maybe visitors and passersby added a stone to the mount and offered a prayer out of respect for the person buried there. Each stone would maybe leave the message that someone came, stopped, gave thought and went on with his journey.

I like this custom very much. We visited two grave yards this weekend. The ancient cemetery of Safed and the beautiful old cemetery of Kinnereth on the shore of the Lake of Galilee..

The ancient cemetery of Sefad in the Galilee is scattered on a steep slope on the western side of the city, facing mount Meron. It contains graves from biblical to Talmudic periods and many Tzaddikim are buried there, great sages, rabbis and Jewish leaders, and at any given time there are callers at this place, which is holy for many.

The old Kinnereth cemetery was founded by the members of the Kibutz Kinnereth at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is located near the lake of Galilee, looking out over the sea to the Golan Heights, offering a marvelous tranquil view. Pioneer leaders of the early Zionist movement are buried there as well as famous folks, like the lovely poetess Rachel and the beloved song writer Naomi Shemer.

It is peaceful there, the big old beautiful trees providing shade and you can hear Rachel whispering, and Naomi singing...

HA YOREH - THE FIRST RAIN

Finally it poured down! The first rain of the season, so longingly awaited, delighted us this weekend! Because this first rain was and is so important for agriculture and water reserves it has a special name in Hebrew: "HaYoreh", "היורה", which means literally: "The coming down". 

This is always a very joyful event - everyone is grateful for it and very happy!
The rain surprised us on our weekend trip to the Golan while searching for the first flowers of the winter season.

We found Colchicum feinbruniae - Sitvanit haTashbez סיתוונית התשבץ - I am not sure how they are called in English - Meadow Saffron? and in German - maybe Wiesenkrokusse? 

Delicate and fair, and just charming, they peek out between the fallen leaves, embracing the blessing of the rain and following the sun, displaying the wonderful purple color with the checkered pattern.

I guess the cows like them too - zoom in!
And of course you know already who was the photographer! :-)

FERTILITY

Machine pieced, appliqued, quilted and couched  
75cm x 61cm, all cotton fabric  -  Please zoom in!
Photos by Ran Erde