"Night Shift"

Alfredo Restaurant - Petah Tiqva - Israel - April 2007
@ ISO 3200, f/4

This evening I joined my good friend, Anat, for a dinner at a local restaurant not far from my home. She chose "Alfredo" restaurant out of a long list of restaurants in the area, and after 20 minutes we were already sitting and checking out the menu. Luckily, I had my camera with me when I saw through the window the briefing of the night's shift waiters. Quickly, I took my camera and got out to the porch, the evening cool and the breeze light, asking if I can take a photo. The "Master" waiter, dressed in white, happily agreed and joined the line of waiters, all dressed with their Black-Red uniform - this is the result.

The dinner was superb, by the way!

P.S. - A tip for the waiters (double the meaning... ;) ) - you can email me here and I will send you the original file so you can print out a copy for your own use...

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"Down the Alley"

The Market place - Nazareth - Israel - April 2007

@ ISO 400, f/10

We visited Nazareth at the early hours of a Saturday afternoon, thus, many shop were already closed and the streets semi empty and calm...

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"Noon Chat"

Tiberius - Israel - 2007

@ ISO 800, f/4

Last Saturday I have met with Jerzy Bucki, a TE member that came for a short visit in Israel, and together we visited Tiberius and Nazareth at the north of the country. The tour together was great and we talked about so many subjects - I wish could visit Poland and have a glimpse of his country from up close... )
Before we came to Tiberius, we wanted to visit the crusader's old Belvoir fort (in Hebrew known as Kohav Hayarden) however our approach from west was rough and passed through fields of wheat. After half an hour of drive on rough dirt roads we decided it's better we return to civilization before the private car get stuck...

Upon coming to Tiberius, we went to the shore-line promenade and near the southern wall of the old city I found these kids having a small chat after a quick swim. Seeing them relaxing in the sunlight, talking and chit chatting, it reminded me of my youth...

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"Walking along the Sea"

Old Jaffa - Israel - 2007

@ ISO 100, f/9

Friday evening at Jaffa, very tranquil, you can feel the Shabat entering the souls of people, and the relaxed atmosphere...

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"Bird's perspective"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006
@ ISO 100, f/4

Last post from Masada, for now...On our way down on the Cable car, we all watched down to the little humans that struggle upward, toward the top of the Massada...Been a great trip!

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"Going Down I"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/11

On our way back, we decided to take the motorized option and while waiting for our turn, I got this view of the cable car and the panorama.

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"Southern scouting point"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/11

Getting back to the intense daylight that awaited us outside, we continued south on the Mountain's plateau till we reached the southern point, the South fort, which controlled the passage from the south side cliff of the mountain (an approach which today is impassable). The fort's location was wisely chosen, controlling and scouting over Masada stream, the Dead sea, the dike and the surrounding Roman camps which siege the mountain.

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"The Southern Pit"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 400, f/4

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"Down to the Pit"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/8

Sixthy four carved steps lead to the southern water pit, one of the biggest in the Masada's compound. As Masada is situated in the desert, a water system was imperative - Hordus built an extensive system that utilized dams that diverted the waters to water channels which eventually lead the water to water pits carved into the mountain sides, containing a total of 40,000 cubic water. Water was then transfered to the top of the mountain with beasts of burden, entering the compound through the water gate and the Snake path, filling the water pits in the compound (such as this one above).

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"Transit Camps"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/10

I am returning to my trip to Masada mountain...

On the eastern side of the inner wall are a collective of structures that served at the days of the rebellion as the residence of the rebels. Many specimens were found in this part while excavating: Jewelry, coins, weaving tools etc. In the background you can see the dead sea in the distance...

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"Family Joy"

Moshav Avihail - Netanya - Israel - April 2007

@ ISO 800, f/4

"Leil Haseder" (Seder night) was held today evening and I decided to bring you one instance of the happenings of the ceremony.The Seder night is a Jewish custom held mostly by families but also within groups assemblies, with the purpose of telling by heart the exodus of the Israelis from Egypt - the story telling is child oriented as it is a commandment to pass the story of the exodus to the next generation. The "Hagada" is the written description of the commandments as well as how to manage and tell the stories of the exodus, which elaborate the drinking of 4 glasses of wine as well as eating several food products that symbolizes the exodus from Egypt to Israel (bitter herb, haroset, Mazza etc.) A feast is also being held at approximately the middle of the Hagada story telling and the overall Seder is accompanied by singing, which many times brings out humorous situations, especially if the ceremony is held in a family, where there is Homerus traditions...The above note will explain you this laughter burst of the mother (left) and her daughter when one of diners sang out loud, getting quite dramatic at one of the Hagada's parts...I felt that this shot describes the Seder spirit held in most places in Israel, with joy and laughter, singing and eating, a pleasant evening with the family...
Hag Sameah!

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"Untitled"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/5.6

As I mentioned before, baths were part of the Roman culture, and even at this arid place one could find many baths, some are even wide enough to accommodate many people. In this picture you can see the personal bath and ,the water hole.

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"East of the Sun, West of the Moon"

Masada National Park - Judean Desert - Israel - November 2006

@ ISO 100, f/13

At that era of time, the telegraph was yet to be invented, not to think about Sat phones or any cellular antenna to be erected...Pigeons, that was the name of the game at those days, and those mastered birds were trained to fly and deliver deciphered messages from isolated posts.

This is a remnant of a columbarium, the chamber that used the Romans to keep the birds together and also used it as a watch post until the outer wall was erected.

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