Gush Etzion

Rosh Hodesh Marheshvan 5768

Thank you to a contributor from Northern Judea, often called (Gush Etzion or the Etzion Block), provides additions to our constantly growing list of avodah ivrit businesses:

Restaurants:
Gavna - Massuot Yitzchak, Gush Etzion

Builders:
Baruch Brenner - Binyan Olam

Mechanics:
Kfar Etzion Auto Shop

Also, Bat Ayin must added to our list of avodah ivrit towns in Judea, which includes the previously mentioned Sde Boaz and Ma'aleh Rechavam.

Kalba Savu'a Update

Sukkot 5768

כלבא שבוע

Kalba Savu'a, the mehadrin, meat restaurant, we reported on in the fall, 2005, moved about year and half ago.

It was embroiled in a challenge to its right to free speech, something which really does not exist in Israel anyway.

It used to be located on Yaffo Street, at the corner of Moriah Street, a half of a block up from Jerusalem's Central Bus Station.

It can now be found on Aggrippas Street 34, still serving its famous, reasonably-priced shawarmah. But they have added much to their menu, including traditional Bukhari Jewish dishes.


(Bet Yosef Mehadrin Kashrut Certification)

Fallafel Ma'oz

24 Tevet 5766

Fallafel Ma'oz is a family-owned and operated business in Jerusalem, founded in 1965.

Conveniently located on King George Street, across from the Bank Leumi and Mashbir department store, Fallafel Ma'oz is a great place to grab a quit bite, or have a full meal while enjoying the hustle and bustle of the diner-like atmosphere inside, or the more relaxed sidewalk tables, or you can take your order to one of the nearby parks.

The fallafel is good, but the shwarmah is excellent. And, of course, it is an avodah ivrit business. When one of the employees was asked if this was on purpose, he made a face as if to say "What are you talking about? Of course." He then confirmed this verbally....

Half orders are available and the all-you-can-eat salads and sauces include shug (Middle-Eastern, very spicy salsa), tehinah (crushed seseme seeds, oil, parsley, & lemon), hilbeh (crushed fenigreek seeds), ambah, onions, cucumbers, and several different kinds of peppers.

Open later than most of the neighboring restaurants, until 11:00pm, Fallafel Ma'oz is certified Kosher l'Mehadrin by the Bet Din Tzedeq (BeDa"Tz) Mahziqei Dat (Belz).

Kalba Savu'a

Hanukkah 5766

Well, the first business using only Jewish labor to be presented here was determined by the Israeli police.

Here is the original news item. My comments follow.

Jerusalem Store Owner Detained by Police for Kach Tee-Shirt Sunday

December 25, 2005 / 24 Kislev 5766

(IsraelNN.com) Jerusalem police on Sunday detained the owner of a restaurant for wearing a tee-shirt with the name and symbol of the outlawed Kach Party.

The store owner was questioned for supporting a terror organization, as well as exhibiting the sign of the outlawed party. He told police he was unaware Kach is viewed to be a terror party.

He was released on his own recognizance. Police are recommending that a criminal indictment be handed down against him for wearing the tee-shirt.

*******************************************

First -- a few clarifications: This was Ya'akov from Kalba Savu'a, a meat restaurant up the street from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station.

It is unclear whether he was actually wearing the shirt or if it was hanging up on the wall, as if that matters...to the police or to me. Needless to say, this is yet another example of the suppression of freedom of speech in Israel.

It is perfect timing that this should happen, just as I begin this new blog, supporting Jewish labor.

In addition, all of Kalba Savu'a's current employees are immigrants to Israel [from Iran, Byelarus, & the US].

The owners of Kalba Savu'a themselves are immigrants, from Turkmenistan.

These are reasons enough to support their business.

And what exactly is the Ka"Kh symbol? (shown here for illustration purposes only)


This symbol originated in the Warsaw Ghetto. Is the Israeli Police, at the direction of the Israeli Government, oppressing the recall, praise, and mourning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising?

This is abominable!

Let us not forget Rav Kahane's leadership in forcing the US, the former USSR, and comfortably numb, American Jews to recognize the need to get our brothers and sisters out from under the oppression of the anti-Jewish Soviet regime.

These two brothers, natives of Turkmenistan, not only a former Soviet republic, but a Muslim one at that, have every reason to praise and show thanks to Rav Kahane ZTz"L HY"D (shown left) and his efforts which directly affected the lives of their families.

Now, I'll get down off the soapbox, and provide with some icy on the cake, as it were, why I encourage you to patronize Kalba Savu'a.

The shwarmah is good, but I prefer the pargiyoth. Everyone says the shnitzel is excellent. Kalba Savu'a also serves a Bucharan version of Greek perogi or Argentine empanadas, filled with meat. I have been encouraging them to serve more Bucharan food. Avraham keeps saying, "Soon, soon...."


It is certified Mehadrin Kosher by Bet-Yosef.

Those of us from the US, and other countries, know that not only can withholding business can work to put pressure on people, but spending money at a business can also send a message, if to no one else, then to the business itself.

Let's see if this works in Israel, too.

It's prices are quite reasonable.

Please mention to Avraham and Ya'akov, especially if you are a first-time customer, that you are there to show your support.

Did you ever have a chance to fill out one of those feedback cards at a store, and wanted to show your appreciation, but just didn't have the time?

Now is your chance!

Not in Israel? Send a note or card to:

Kalba Savu'a Restaurant
Yaffo St. & Moriah St.
Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Hanukkah Same'ah