Rottenberg House

Haredi Travel

Each traveler, or group of travelers, must plan their trip. Some people must plan their trip more carefully than others because of varying circumstances. When traveling with children, their needs are foremost. Elderly people and people with physical challenges must insure that their travel plans are consistent with their abilities. People with religious restrictions must plan ahead in order to be assured that their spiritual needs are met.

Within the Jewish world, such planning is taken for granted. Observant Jews must make sure that they will have access to kosher food and regular prayer quorums. For Shabbat, there are many restrictions on activities that mandate that one has access to electrical appliances that don't need to be manually turned on and off, and that meals and synagogues are close by so that travel is not necessary.

Haredi, Ultra-Orthodox Jews are often even more restricted, and for this reason, in Tzfat, many hotels and guest houses are emerging which cater specifically to the Haredi population. Haredim, members of the Haredi community, don't watch TV or listen to the radio, and therefore don't want access to these instruments in their rooms. Their kashruth requirements are even more specific than the general kosher-keeping Jewish public, and they need to insure that their particular foods will be available. Many Haredim shy away from Internet use, and would not appreciate Internet access in their rooms, or even within the general area where they are staying. In general, Haredim feel most comfortable in an environment which not only answers their travel needs, but also meshes with their lifestyle.

A Haredi Guest House in Tzfat

The Rottenberg Guest House is such an accommodation. The Rottenbergs, Hassidim themselves, are very aware of the needs and preferences of Haredi guests. They offer two lovely rooms which are quiet, simple and elegant, located in the Artists Quarter, a five-minute walk from the synagogues and sites of the Old Jewish Quarter.

Each unit has a tastefully-decorated bedroom, a fully-equipped kitchenette (including all Shabbat amenities) and a living room area for relaxing and resting. The units open out onto a large porch area which offers a magnificent view of Tzfat's Old City, the ancient cemetery, the valley below Tzfat, and the mountain ranges surrounding Tzfat. Directly across the valley from the Rottenberg house is Mount Meron, famous as the resting place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai  who is revered as the author of the "Zohar", the basic book of the Kabbalah.

The Rottenberg House is located across the street from the Ma'ayan HaRadum, the "Sleeping Spring" from where the waters of the ARI Mikve are believed to flow. The square is a small park area where people can sit out on Tzfat's cool summer evenings, relaxing and enjoying the Tzfat air. It is situated within a five-minute walk of Tzfat's main street, with its grocery stores, shops, restaurants, and coffee houses, making it a convenient option both for guests with cars (parking is nearby) and without.

The Rottenbergs cater to the Haredi community, and look forward to welcoming new visitors to enjoy the atmosphere of Tzfat in their Tzimmer. When their own guest rooms are full, they are happy to offer assistance to guests looking to find other accommodations in Tzfat, both for couples and larger families.

To contact the Rottenbergs, call (04)6971035 or (052)7631-531