More Avodah Aravrit

24 Tammuz 5768

It is no coincidence that last week's bulldozer terrorist attack (link includes photos) took place a block from the Israel Center, the Orthodox Union of Hebrew Congregations [OU] headquarters in Israel.

No, the Arabs did not plan this around the OU.

However, the Vice-President of the OU David Luchins, Ph.D. was visiting from the U. S.

A group from the National Council of Synagogue Youth [NCSY], the OU's youth branch, was also in Jerusalem at the time, as part of its summer educational tour of Israel.

It is not a coincidence that all of these people, places, and events came together.

These visitors now have an opportunity to serve as shlichim, as messengers to the Jews in the U. S.

But, what message will they bear?

Will they spin the terrorist attack into the "copycat" attack of another crazy person, as the Israeli government has?

Will they downplay it, or even ignore it?

Will parents of NCSY members tell the kids that they "don't understand such complicated matters," and shouldn't get involved?

Or will OU officials, members, and youth recognize this profound occurrence, step up to the plate, and share the horror of the experience of being in Jerusalem while a terrorist attack was in progress?

Will they avoid the mincing of words, and political-correctness, and put two and two together to come up with four?

Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, on the same day of the second bulldozer attack by an "Israeli Arab" in two weeks, a rather telling article by Nathan J. Diament, the OU's Director of Public Policy was published on the website Real Clear Politics. (thanks to the Torat Yisrael Blog for the reference).

In this article, focusing on Sen. Barak Obama's (D-IL) visit to Israel, Diament praises two U. S. presidents, one whom supported the transfer of 95 percent of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza to Arabs, and the other, a vocal supporter of the formation of yet another Arab terrorist state.

We look forward to the OU's message(s) it conveys to our fellow Jews in the U. S. After having read Diament's article, we are not optimistic.

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See more first hand information on the attack and on another recent incident of "avodah aravit" posted at Tomer Devorah.

The Orthodox Union did not authorize the use of its logo. It is placed here, only as the highly recognizable symbol of kosher food, to assist our readers in identifying the OU organization.

Avodah Aravit

3 Tammuz 5768

This headline from "b'Sheva," the Hebrew weekly published by Arutz Sheva, sums up last Wednesday's terrorist attack in Jerusalem perfectly.

"Avodah Aravit"
(Arab Labor)

We wonder what Rabbi Yuval Cherlow says Avodah Ivrit now. Last year it was reported that he compared it to Nazism.

We at the Avodah Ivrit Blog mourn the lost of those murdered last week:

Lili Goren-Friedman
Bat-Sheva Unterman
Jean Relevy

May their families and loved ones be comforted with all the mourners in Zion and Jerusalem.

Burger Deli

7 Marheshvan 5768

Burger Deli (Mehadrin, Glatt/Halaq) serves up a great burger, and is located at...

Shamgar Street 16, Shamgar/Romemah, Jerusalem


Opening Hours: Sun - Wed 11:00 to 12 mid, Thurs 11:00 to 1:00 am

Delivery: 02-5003070

The owner recognizes that his customers prefer avodah ivrit, so that is what he provides. Unfortunately, he has come under criticism for his decision. We will refer you to those who morst qualified to present news and commentary on such issues, and simply encourage our readers to show their support for Burger Deli by patronizing their business, and letting them know they have your vote of confidence.

For a summary and commentary on Burger Deli in the news, please visit Ezra HaLevi's report, linked here on the Kumah.org Blog

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)

To Your Health!

12 Tishrei 5768

To get our new year off to a good start physically, we bring you two health oriented stores. Both are found on the highly under-rated Aggrippas Street Shopping Area, adjacent to the Mahane Yehudah Open Market. We hope to be able to provide you with more information about this very reasonably priced shopping district as it becomes available.

The first is a health food store called Olam Hatevah, "The World Of Nature."

All different kinds of hard to find products with strict standards of Kashrut, can be found here on Aggrippas Street 65.

Spelt flour, rye flour, soy flour, linseed oil, and various gluten-free items are only some of the products you will find at Olam Hatevah, with mehadrin heksherim (Kashrut cerification) by Rav Landa, Eidah Hareidis, Belz, and Hatam Sofer - Petah Tikvah, among others.





Other health food stores along Aggippras Street were surveyed, yet did not meet out stringent standards of avodah ivrit. Please let us know if things have change and/or if we missed anyone.

On the other side of Mahaneh Yehdudah, toward the Central Bus Station, we come to Habichirah Hativit Bakery (Natural Choice). Here you will find only organic, whole wheat and non-wheat breads and baked goods, including spelt, rye, 1/2 spelt-1/2 rye, and oat, with or without yeast. Some sprouted grain products are available, as well as items without any processed sugar. Hallah, pita, cookies, cakes, crackers, and mini-pizzas are some of the items you will find at Natural Choice Bakery. They are open Sunday through Thursday until 8:00 PM, and on Fridays and before Holidays until a couple of hours before candle-lighting, and are under the supervision of Mehzikei Dat (Belz) kashrut.




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Note: Neither of these businesses asked to be included in this blog.

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.

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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