Michal's Tefillin

Haifa Bay and its surrounding suburbs, the krayot of Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Yam and Kiryat Motzkin, do not exactly have the reputation of being the most beautiful of places. The small towns and suburbs which sprang up to accommodate floods of people leaving shattered lives and concentration camps after WW2, are still areas of new immigrant absorption.

But these towns have one breathtaking thing that makes them special. Their location. While you might think being next to one of the Mediterranean’s busiest shipping lanes is not exactly paradise, the small suburbs that line Haifa Bay have one of the most beautiful views in the world. And miles and miles of white sand on which to sit and stare at the blues and hues of the Med, the ever-changing skies and the magnificent sunsets.

Nadia Kushnir’s incredible photography stirs emotions for she brings power and beauty to a place that many people think lacks both.  These photos prove otherwise.

All photographs were taken by Nadia Kushnir.

Popularity: 21% [?]

There is a place where time stands still, where all you can hear is the gentle air brush your skin, where there is so much peace you can hear the blood fizzing in your ears. You can find this slice of Heaven on Earth at Israel’s Lake Kinneret.

Known to others as the Sea of Galilee (this comes from the area where Kinneret is located, the Galil), the harp-shaped lake is the largest freshwater lake in Israel and also, at 209 meters below sea level, it is the lowest freshwater lake on earth.

Each of us has a “secret beach” – imagined or real, beyond the horizon, or just past the next rocky outcrop. It’s a special place that exists at the edge of our world. A place where there is much longed-for, much-needed serenity, rest, inspiration and rejuvenation.

Cool sand and soft, warm breezes;  breathtaking blues and greens  of the water mirrors the clear, endless sky above it.

Just close your eyes and listen to the gentle rhythm of waves caressing the shore. Their peaceful rustling makes time and space dissolve. This timeless, elemental Sea of Galilee draws us in…

Now let the soothing sounds of Kinneret’s foamy waves take you back to your secret beach. Enjoy!

For more information on secret getaways, family trips, or historical touring, go to: www.ekinneret.co.il  or www. beinharim.co.il

All photos copyright of Sharon Novikov. Additional text by Sharon Novikov.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Kululush Handmade Jewellery by Zohar Mor

We fell for the beautiful romance in Zohar Mor’s vintage jewellery. Pretty, delicate and feminine, Zohar is inspired by her global travels. For more information go to: www.kululush.com

Hair clip by Kululush

Loveable Treasures

Katie Fulford makes Loveable Treasures out of merino wool and 100% love. We just fell head over heels for her tiny little adorable animals.

Katie discovered needle felting about 2 years ago, when she saw some miniature animals online.  She says: “I loved the cuteness of them and was keen to learn how to make some for myself. I bought a simple book about needle felting and taught myself the techniques. I loved it from the very first time I tried. After a few months of making little animals I decided to open my Loveable Treasures Etsy shop to see if anyone else enjoyed my animals.  I now make new ‘babies’ every single day, including the weekends! Talk about addicted!”

Each creation takes between 1 hour up to 3 hours depending on how much detail they include.  Katie loves custom orders and in the past has been asked to make an arctic fox, a wombat and very favourite commission was for a platypus. She says:  ”Each one is made with pure love. Sometimes I am very sad to see them go, but I hope that they all find lovely new homes. I have had the most wonderful feedback from my lovely customers and that brings so much happiness to me. ”

http://www.loveabletreasures.etsy.com

MonstersEtc

The talented and gorgeous Noa Ben Dov Bibi has created a sweet dreams soft as cloud mobile/wall decoration for MonstersEtc – but she can create a custom made one using different dolls and shapes to your specification.

from http://www.etsy.com/listing/45975606/cloud-mobile-wall-decoration

Ooty Sale!

Ceramic 12 karat gold swirl handmade earrings by the glorious Ooty Reut Raz Yaacobi on sale at $14. Each pair is one of a kind!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ooty

Popularity: 25% [?]

When we saw Alejandra Ramos’ brilliant video on how to make a six braid challah, we had to show you.

Ms Ramos is the writer and creator of AlwaysOrderDessert.com, a culinary, lifestyle, and entertaining blog featuring original recipes and ideas for inspired living. Always Order Dessert has been called one of the “Best of the Web” by Saveur Magazine, and  in 2009, the leading New Media website Mashable.com named Alejandra one of the “Top 55 Foodies to Follow on Twitter.”

And while making challah has brought us to Always Order Dessert (chipotle challah, anyone?) there was much more, ohhh much more to keep us there, salivating.

Alejandra’s style is easy-breezy and infectious. You can taste her zest for life just by reading her words. And you’ll wonder why you never tried a six-braid challah before.

The video is here:  Six Braid Challah by Alejandra Ramos

Alejandra’s blogspot is at: http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com

Popularity: 21% [?]

Monique Lester is a one-woman dynamo. Not only is she a tireless cheerleader for Israel, but she is one of the few who actually puts her money where her mouth is by organising awareness campaigns in the hope that one day the truth will out.

Recently, Monique put a lot of time and effort into rallying the world into realising the mind-boggling ridiculousness of the British Advertising Standards refusal to allow Israel to use pictures of its Wailing Wall in Jerusalem as part of a bring tourists to Israel campaign, as according to the ASA, Jerusalem is occupied.

Monique, who at the tender age of 16 tried to make aliyah to Israel behind her parents’ backs, runs her own PR agency, London Digital PR, which excels at social media marketing and online advertising. The effervescent Ms Lester has also been devoting her time to cyber stalking, bullying and other forms of cyber crime.

Monique ‘Wonder Woman’ Lester

Teaming up with respected Norwegian film maker Linda May Kallestein, Monique is contributing to a documentary and an accompanying book about various forms of cyber terror.

Says Monique:  ” Cyber life surpasses our traditional national states, enabling criminal activity to go beyond national borders, yet with little international legislation to govern and protect against it.  Stalkers have thus been given new tools to use in their pursuit to control others, spread fear and even ruin personal and professional lives.

They do so at little risk of legal persecution, even though they can inflict harm which often is far greater than traditional stalkers ever could dream of accomplishing.”

For more information on either cyber terror or the UK ASA campaign, or if you would like to talk to Monique about advertising and marketing, please contact her via www.londondigitalpr.com

Popularity: 31% [?]

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” wrote John Keats. He should have seen Shlomit Ofir’s jewelery. As delicate as breath, as beautiful and as precious as nature, from where she takes her influences, her collections of gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings and hair accessories are objects of pure desire.

Shlomit, a younger designer who works and lives in Tel Aviv, sells her jewelery online through Etsy and through selected stores in Israel. She told us: “I have a degree in Industrial Design, but in the past few years I began designing my own line of jewelry and accessories. I basically started doing it as a hobby, but quickly people were interested in buying and as the demand grew I started making more items, slowly developing my own unique style. Last year I opened my studio and shop in Tel Aviv,  where I display the jewelry designs and where I manufacture the jewelry with the help of 6 wonderful girls who work with me. My line is distributed to shops all over the country and abroad, and to customers through my shop on Etsy.com.”

A quick glance through Shlomit’s catalogue shows her influences. “I find inspiration in almost everything around me, and I try to find beauty in normal everyday things,” she says, “Especially I am inspired by the beauty of nature and by motifs from past decades, trying to give them an updated, modern twist”.

She is about to launch a new line of clothing, featuring dreamy, fun summery dresses, complementing the delicate jewelery. The new range, Details, will also be available on Etsy. Shlomit says: “Designing clothes is something which I wanted to do for years. It’s just a coincidence I started designing jewelry and not something else, as I am drawn to many fields of design. This year, after my jewelry business become bigger and more successful, I found the courage to try and expand in more fields. My line of dresses also reflects my aesthetic point of view, and the name “DETAILS” was chosen since I put extra thought to the small details that make the difference, whether it’s and addition of lace, or buttons or unique trimmings.

“I believe that if you are a designer at heart, there is no field of design you can’t touch. I always try to make the world around me pretty for me and for others, and I am happy to make jewelry that is unique and stylish yet affordable.”

All of Shlomit’s jewelery is very reasonably priced, but if you want to try your luck on Facebook, Shlomit Ofir Designs gives away a piece of jewelery to a very lucky person every week.

www.shlomitofir.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shlomitofir

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shlomitofirdetails

Popularity: 43% [?]

“…And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land… a land flowing with milk and honey” – and chocolate….

Holy Cacao Chocolate is G-DASH-D’s gift to chocoholics. Literally. Not only is this Hevron-based company devoted to finding the best plantations with the best farmers who grow the best cocoa beans in the world, they also have it blessed. This chocolate comes with bracha.

Started by Jo Zander and Zev Stender, their ethos is to keep the cacao in its purest form and their entire process is that of bean to bar, which, is what qualifies it for rabbinical blessing as this process is the only one that keeps the cacao in its pure state. As far as they know, they are Israel’s only artisan chocolatiers who do this.

For serious choco-lovers, here comes the science bit: high quality cocoa used in the chocolate includes Organic Hispaniola 70%, San Martin Peru 72% Dark Chocolate and Gianduja, which is a blend of the 70% Organic Hispaniola and hazelnuts, making it a creamy delicious treat. All of Holy Cacao’s cocoa is roasted gently and at a low temperature to preserve the natural flavors and intrinsic fruit notes.

Currently, Holy Cacao is only available to buy at selected stores and wineries in the Jerusalem area (including Chocolatino, Emek Refaim 52, Tel: 02-563-10-8), although they are looking at ways to ship the product outside Israel, so if you have to have it, contact them!

For more information and contact details go to:

www.holycacaochocolate.com

Popularity: 42% [?]

Objects of desire – this month’s selection of creative art:

Sari Glassman’s Hamsa Ring

Protect yourself and look super-stylish with Sari Glassman’s adorably funky Hamsa Ring. This cute ring is handmade from lampwork eye bead in turquoise and orange glass connected to a 14k gold-filled ring and decorated with a 14k gold-filled hamsa. We’re already huge fans of Sari’s immaculate, modern jewelery pieces that are definite investments. Check out her Gaialai shop on Etsy at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gaialai

MonstersEtc

In the first issue of Michal’s Tefillin, we dipped into the world of Noa Ben Dov Bibi’s sock dolls in The Socks Life Of Noa, and now she has joined up with co-conspirator, Ruti Dan, to lead us into the unsuspecting world of MonstersEtc. Just too cute to be true, these hand-stitched art dolls are available on Etsy and custom orders are available. We are featuring Lydia, the gentle purple mammoth; Digby the Sleepy Sock Kitten, Meg the Lilac Monster and Nell the Tripod Monster. All four need and deserve loving homes. Remember, a Monster is not just for the holidays, it’s for life…

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonstersEtc

Cheli Chelouche: Spring Romanov Necklace

Canadian designer Cheli Chelouche has made this spring’s must-have necklace – a stunning Swarovski and Murano glass object of desire. The necklace features four handwoven Romanov Byzantine flowers embedded with Swarovski crystals and agate and coral beads to match the gorgeous Murano heart pendant. Cheli also makes chainmaille Judaica jewelery and cool  jewelery for men. This is one-of-a-kind, investment jewelery for those who want something totally original and modern.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cheli387

Popularity: 38% [?]

It was always the goal of Michal’s Tefillin to seek out and promote vibrant, creative talent amongst Jewish women. When our first issue was launched last year, we had no idea just how deep that well spring of immeasurable talent was. Every issue brings forward yet more dazzling talent, bright hopes and beautiful souls. So, we decided to choose our Women of the Year, women who have stunned us with their generosity of spirit, their enthusiasm, their creativity and their unbridled chutzpah. I thank all the people who have so far joined Michal’s Tefillin on its journey and I hope that this is just the beginning of an incredible ride! So, without further ado, here are our glorious, beautiful, amazing Women of the Year:

Sharon Novikov, you may remember, is the icon of Michal’s Tefillin. Her lust for life is enviable and inexhaustible and the word chutzpah was surely coined just for her.

A beauty with brains (she is a science undergraduate at Haifa University), Sharon is beginning to cement her presence in Israeli film, after starring in the indie hit Kalispera, she also has a part in Avi Nesher’s Love Lessons. Sharon has also dipped her toe into the worlds of photography, modelling and recently wrote her first article for Michal’s Tefillin. We can only say thank you Sharon, because without you, Michal’s Tefillin wouldn’t have its amazing icon.

Jennie Rivlin Roberts is the dynamic founder of ModernTribe, the coolest online Judaica store on the planet, which was featured in our Hanukkah issue. Jennie’s amazing sense of humor and her will to succeed make her a natural born winner and ModernTribe has become the byword in everything that is fresh, classy and sharp about modern Judaica. Jennie is also on the editorial committee of the new US magazine Jewish Woman and she has also launched a new website, a sort of ModernTribe’s cheeky kid sister, Popjudaica.

Vanessa Hidary, aka The Hebrew Mamita, half Syrian, half Ashkenazi equals 100% ass kicking hot. This native New Yorker has been making us laugh, cry and be introspective with her chutzpah driven stand up def jam poetry for several years now and she goes from strength to strength. Spared the flat-ass syndrome (the benefit of the Sefardi gene), Vanessa is busy touring, writing a book and generally being a cool Jew. Make 2010 the year you see Vanessa doing her thing, live.

Ooty Reut Raz Yaacobi ahhh Ooty! When we said women who have stunned us with their generosity, we meant Ooty Reut Raz Yaacobi. Not only is Ooty an incredible artist and designer, whose work we have featured in both previous issues and plan to do so again in the future (we’re in love with her sushi plates almost as much as we’re in love with Ooty), but she consistently goes out of her way to make people happy. Ooty, we love you!

Maytal Sheinbaum is an Israeli graphic designer. Based in Kfar Saba, Maytal is involved in web design and wedding photography – she helps brides obtain the most stunning results for their wedding photo albums. One of the world’s rarest beauties, that is to say, beautiful inside and out, Maytal’s gentle soul, her unfailing generosity and spirit makes her a natural for our women of the year awards. If we had to rename her, we’d call her Love.

Popularity: 60% [?]

Fryszer & Danon are in the business of making your dreams come true. If you have always imagined your wedding to be something magical and dazzling, with a chuppah that looks as if it fell from Heaven, then there is no one else on the planet who can make that happen for you like they can.

Based in Tel Aviv, Yanai Fryszer and Maya Danon are dedicated to transforming the dreams you have always clung to into a breathtaking reality. And while your wedding might look as if it’s been sent from heaven, it won’t cost you the earth.

Maya Danon, who produces the events that the company organises, is dedicated to making people happy. She told us: “This is absolutely what I have wanted to do my whole life, taking people’s dreams and making them a reality. This is the most important day of their lives, it has to be perfect.”

The company guides a new client the whole way through the process. Says Maya: “Every event is a unique and exciting challenge for us. When a client first approaches us, we arrange a meeting to gauge what the client envisages. We get to know the person and build on their dream concept. We are not one of those companies that likes to put their own stamp on things – we work with the client and what the client wants, it’s very personal, from the initial concept right through to the actual event.”

Maya Danon

The key to Fryszer & Danon’s skill at keeping costs as low as possible is their impressive contacts list. “We know where to get the best of everything,” says Maya, “from flowers to catering, lighting, locations and DJs. We have a variety of suppliers for every area. If people want organic food, we know who can supply that. We also take care of wedding day transport, cars, buses for guests and hotels. It’s a complete service.”

Maya’s partner (the company started two years ago), Yanai Fryszer, is the company’s interior designer and the person responsible for the creating the dazzling arrangements. Creativity is only limited by one’s imagination, and there are no limits to Fryszer’s artistry and vision. Whether it’s a small scale intimate party or a wedding for a thousand people, whether it’s corporate or a bat mitzvah, Fryszer’s meticulous eye for detail and style ensures the event is unbelievable and unforgettable.

Fryszer & Danon are planning to take on a large project in the United States within the next few months and their dream, says Maya, is to expand globally. If you have a dream, get ready to see it come true.

Contact Fryszer & Danon at www.fryszerdanon.com

or email: maya@fryszerdanon.com

Popularity: 100% [?]

Gil Shacham – Fashion Designer

Twenty-six year old Gil Shacham, owner of one of Israel’s most chic boutiques, Chief Boutique, is a name to watch out for. Her elegant, yet sporty designs in rich cottons, shimmering silks, delicate chiffons and supersoft shearling with hand embellishments are a favourite with Israel’s fashionistas. Based in Ramat Poleg, south of Netanya, Gil designs everything in her store, including her own jewellery.  She also imports beautiful bags and belts from the States.

Gil’s future plans include designing wedding dresses and elegant evening wear. Catch her now before she spirals away into superstardom. Contact her via email at: chief.gils@gmail.com or call her on: 054-662-0660

Kira Bell, Writer

Kira Bell is one of America’s brightest young literary hopefuls.  An English major at Northwestern, Kira is a hugely talented writer and is working on an extremely anticipated debut novel about a very hot subject. She says: “Agents consistently encourage people to write what they love. Not what’s “hot.”  Of course you should write what you love and what I love corresponds directly to what’s hot. Werewolves. Vampires.  I think my plot is original, that my voice differentiates me from the crowds of ambling prospective authors, but there is a small person inside of me that screams, “you couldn’t think of anything better to write about!?”

“But when I stop thinking about market saturation, pressure of originality, and my own dark fears of failure, I feel better. When I peel the layers away, it just comes down to the fact that I deeply and truly love the story I’ve written down. My heart and soul went into it, not to mention blood, sweat, tears, and years of writing.”

Kira, your future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades.

Read all about Kira at http://kirabell89.livejournal.com

Popularity: 72% [?]

Charitable acts are at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts lately, with the horrors in Haiti dominating the media worldwide. Giving money these days is not always easy, given that so many people have less and less to give. And when huge, all-encompassing tragedies like earthquakes strike, it is easy for people to forget about those in their midst who desperately need help and support. And as charity begins at home, Israeli musician Amiram Eini and his group Amiram Inc, are donating all the profits from their new single, I Guess I Must Be Wrong, to helping African refugees in Israel.

Says Eini:  “In 2007 a phenomenon previously not known to Israel happened. Refugees from African countries like Sudan and Eritrea walked across the Sinai desert, escaping from genocide, ethnic cleansing and famine in their home countries. They walked through the Egyptian deserts, where many were victims to abuse, torture, rape, starvation and they basically went through a living hell to get to Israel.
“Those who made it to Israel were not officially received as refugees, as Sudan is officially an enemy country to Israel, but were allowed to stay in a sort of a legal no man’s land. Sometimes incarcerated in prisons for care or left to fend for themselves without any legal status, work papers or medical insurance.

“A TV programme showed the lives of these refugees, living in abandoned bomb shelters in south Tel Aviv, sometimes 90 people in one room. In winter these shelters were flooded, and summer was unbearably hot. I was deeply moved by the plight of these people and wanted to do something. Being a musician, I decided that we would use the media attention we usually get when releasing a song  and focus it towards this subject.”

Eini managed to involve studios, photographers, celebrities (including Guy Pines and Amir Faye Guttman), and cell phone companies in order to record the song and film the video. All of those who collaborated on the project or who appeared in the music video did so  (and some are still doing) on a totally voluntary basis. Eini adds: “Our concept was to use well-known faces to replace the faceless people we don’t see in our day to day lives. The participants in the video (besides our band) are either refugees or celebrities.
All revenues from the song, downloads, sales or royalties will go to humanitarian organizations that help these refugees.

Amiram Eini

“One group we especially wanted to focus on were the pregnant women and their babies, and so we are donating the money to Brit Olam’s project “Hagar and Miriam”.

The single itself, I Guess I Must Be Wrong, is a guitar-driven melodic piece of poetry infused with celtic-inspired fiddle and Eini’s emotive, pleading voice. One of Israel’s most important rock bands, Amiram Inc are working on a new album (their debut, Little Defects, was released two years ago to critical acclaim) and hopefully I Guess I Must Be Wrong will be included on it. It would be a shame if only those in Israel have the chance to own a piece of this amazing piece of love and support.

To find out more about how to help African refugees in Israel go to: www.britolam.org or www.assaf.org.il

Amiram Inc are at www.amiraminc.com

To see the video on Youtube:  I Guess I Must Be Wrong

Popularity: 44% [?]

In November 2008, terrorists stole the lives of over 170 people in the Indian city of Mumbai. Among those who died were Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his pregnant wife Rivka, tortured and executed with four others at the Chabad Mumbai House.

Cut to a few years previously, when two French students were travelling in India. One of them kept kosher and hadn’t eaten meat for four weeks during their travels so when they arrived in Mumbai, the first thing he did was do a Google search for ‘kosher Mumbai’ and was stunned when a Jewish centre popped up with Rabbi Holtzberg’s phone number. The rabbi invited them to shabbat dinner and the following day, in the synagogue, they were shocked and surprised to see the building full of Indian Jews.

On returning back to film school in New York, Jonas Pariente, the co-director and co-producer of Next Year In Bombay,  realised that no in-depth documentary had ever been made about this far-away Jewish community and he and documentary maker Mathias Mangin packed their bags and returned to India.

The Jewish community, known collectively as ‘Bene Israel’ settled in India 2000 years ago. Although they never faced anti-semitism, most of them moved to Israel in the 1950’s and today they are 4000 in Bombay and its region.

The film focuses on the last two educators of the community, Sharon and Sharona Galsulkar, who were trained in a yeshiva in Jerusalem and who have been relentlessly working towards a better Indian Jewish life. As their daughters are growing older, they have to decide whether they will stay with their shrinking community or if they will fly to Israel in order to provide their children a more Jewish life. The Bene Israel story, with its wonders and sorrows, may come to an end. “Today,” says Pariente, “because the majority of the Bene Israelis have moved to Israel, the Indian Jewish culture could evaporate within one generation. Many of the 4000 people left in and around Bombay are afraid they will have to choose between India and being Jewish. This is also the story of how the creation of Israel, in an odd trick of history, actually threatens a unique Jewish culture.”

In Alibag, an hour from the city, only five Jewish families remain, “a striking number,” says Pariente, “where one area is still named Israel Lane” and where a number of businesses and houses are decorated with the Magen David. There is still an active synagogue, but only on high holy days, and everyday the 74-year-old chazan prays alone amongst the Torah scrolls.

This is a visually stunning documentary film, bursting with Indians’ natural joie de vivre and sense of calm; it is fragrant with the smells of this bustling, over-populated yet beautiful city and while it celebrates the Bene Israel’s incredible 2,000 year history, it is tinged with a certain sadness.

To see the official Next Year In Bombay trailer go to: Next Year In Bombay

To read more about Jonas Pariente’s film making journey go to: http://nextyearinmumbai.blogspot.com/

Popularity: 41% [?]

With Fryszer & Danon creating the perfect wedding experiences, we thought you might like to have a look at some wedding accessories. These are not from bridal stores or from upmarket jewellers, but are often one-off or specially custom made and will show your style to be not one of the crowd.

Galit Barak’s handcrafted gold filled Princess Bangle, $68, from http://www.etsy.com/shop/galit

MyMom’s delicate white lace and silver Princely Earrings, $16, from http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36553548

Pearl Cluster earrings on sterling silver chains by Linda Blatchford, $20, from http://www.etsy.com/shop/lindab142

Handmade wedding cards by Lisa Isaacs Papercut Art of handmadeinisrael, from $12, at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadeinisrael

Beautiful hand made ketubah by the incredibly talented and inspiring Shira Gabriela – contact her at www.shiragabriela.com

A Kaleidoscope of Love Modern Ketubah by www.ketubah.com

The Creative Jewish Wedding Book from www.popjudaica.com helps you to reclaim your wedding day from the whirlwind of details in a new and innovative way that is true to you

and finally, if it’s still all too much for you, sign up for ModernTribe’s Wedding Registry where you can find wedding gifts that suit your style. Your personal shopper will help you with everything and the registry promises everything from traditional to modern and whimsical. Find out more at: http://www.moderntribe.com/judaica/jewish_weddings/jewish_wedding_registry

Popularity: 31% [?]