“My first Shabbat in Israel I came to the Great Breslev Synagogue in Tsfat for Kabbalat Shabbat. The air was electric and during the singing, I felt a joy I’ve never experienced before in my life.” ~Visitor from São Paulo, Brazil. In the heart of the Old City, on the same site where the Arizal and his followers lived, the Great Synagogue hosts hundreds of worshippers to usher in the Sabbath at sundown each week. Many innovations in...
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Old City Community Prayer Center “The atmosphere here is sweet beyond words. It is hard for me to believe people actually live this experience on a daily basis—it is a slice of heaven on earth!” ~Visitor from Vancouver The Trisker Maggid Shul in the Old City was named for Rabbi Avraham of Trisk, the 19th century founder of the Trisk chassidic dynasty in the Ukraine. Damaged to the foundation in the War of Independence, Nachal Novea...
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Primary School for Jewish Studies “I’ve taught here for over 30 years and the sound of these children learning and singing birkat hamazon everyday is still like Gan Eden to me.” ~Rebbe Mordechai, Magen Avot Talmud Torah Magen Avot was founded on the vision to restore Jewish children to the alleyways and streets of the Old City of Tsfat, where so many holy tzaddikim left their redemptive imprint. According to the Talmud, the survival...
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“One of the most impressive daycare centers I’ve seen in my 20 years working in the field.” ~Supervisor for the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade & Labor The economic reality in Tsfat often dictates both parents must work full-time to provide minimum sustenance for their families. For single mothers, the situation is more critical. Over two decades ago, Nachal Novea established a full day Nursery and Daycare Center in the Old...
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“Before this center existed, we were forced to send our four-year old outside of the city. Not to mention the financial toll, it was a physical and emotional drain on the entire family. Now that he can remain local, family life has stabilized and our son is flourishing beyond anything we thought possible.” ~Mother of “Eitan” from South Tsfat Until the Tsfat Special Education Center opened its doors, parents of young children with...
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