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  • David Amiel: Tour Guide/Historian of Tzfat

    A Heritage in Tzfat

    For many years, Tzfat was the most hospitable city in Israel for Jews to live.

    David Amiel, Tzfat's Tour Guide

    Beginning with the Jews who returned to Israel after the Spanish and Portuguese Expulsions in the late 1400s, Jews who chose to come to Israel had few choices. Economic opportunities for Jews were limited in Jerusalem and by the 18th century, the ruling Turks would not allow Ashkanazi Jews to live in Jerusalem at all because of a collective community debt. Hebron was even more desolate, and the Jews there were prone to frequent attacks by the surrounding Arab population.

    So most Jews chose to come to either Tzfat or Tiberias, in the north of the land. Such was the case with the Amiel family, who came to Tzfat from Portugal in 1606. For eleven generations, this family lived in Tzfat, through the best of times, as well as through earthquakes, pogroms and famine.

    Today, David Amiel, scion of this family, guides tour groups through the lanes of Tzfat’s Old City and Artists Quarter. He sees his work as an important part of his heritage, and isn’t content to simply relay the history of the city and its sites…..he imbues his clients with information about the city, its customs, traditions, background, and spirituality. He walks the streets of the city while leading these visitors in song, and always has many stories and legends to tell about Tzfat.

    A Unique Knowledge

    David’s background gives him a unique background and ability to give visitors a full tour. His family history gave him a particular interest in Tzfat’s history, and his academic credentials include a M.A. in History and Philosophy, with his Master’s thesis on “The Influences of Kabbalah on the Shabtai Tzvi Movement”. (Shabtai Tzvi was a false messiah of the 17th century who misled a huge segment of the Jewish World, including many great Rabbis, of the day. When he was denounced, and subsequently converted to Islam, it was akin to a spiritual catastrophe for the Jews of the day, who had been misled by Tzvi, as well as their own leadership).

    Because Tzfat was such a huge center of the Jewish community of Israel throughout the 15th – 19th centuries, their descendents can today be found scattered throughout the world, and it is not uncommon for people from lands as far-flung as Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and everywhere in-between to arrive in Tzfat asking if “anyone knows where my great-great-great-grandmother Zissel Goldenfarb’s house is” and “does anyone know if there are any descendents left in Tzfat?”

    If You’re Looking For Some Answers

    The person who is best equipped to answer those questions is, of course, David, who doesn’t bother with the records and archives that could be researched. His own studies have given him an almost-encyclopedic knowledge of where the Goldfarb house was, as well as which Goldfarbs married whom, who moved where, and where family connections might be found. Numerous times, with no request for compensation, David has made himself available to visitors to help them research their family histories in Tzfat. He has never been known to make a mistake.

    David is as enthusiastic in his work today as he was when he started seventeen years ago “Today” he says “tourists aren’t content with just hearing about the history of Tzfat. They want to feel the city, to know about Kabbalah and mysticism, to learn about the art of Tzfat, and to understand the religious community here. That’s what I’m here for, and it’s my pleasure to be a part of their visit here”.

    To contact David: (054)319-8923 or amiel64@walla.com. David guides in English, Hebrew and French.

  • Shem-en-Tov

    Nestled into a little corner of the Artists Quarter, the Shem-en Tov Natural Health Clinic has, for twelve years, been working to promote natural healing through essential oils, good nutrition, and natural products.

    Gila and Shimon Halag work together in the clinic, which has a treatment room, workshop room, and shop. It is here that they slowly introduce people to the idea that good health care can come from sources other than one’s local health fund.

    Sources of Health Problems

    “We look at where a problem may be coming from” Gila explains. “Skin problems, especially, are often manifestations of other types of issues that the body is fighting, such as stress and emotional pressures, as well as medical problems. We try to go to the source of the problem, rather than treating what is on the surface”.

    Gila’s husband, Shimon, has an extensive background in medicine, both conventional (as a paramedic) and alternative. He brings many different disciplines to their work, including aromatherapy, holistic massage and reflexology, bio-energy healing, crystals, and knowledge of herbal therapies.

    The Halags use some products of large companies, but they make the majority of the products themselves, with natural ingredients. “We were the first in Israel to make our own compounds” Gila says. “Shimon is the pharmacist. Other companies followed our lead, and have become much bigger and more successful than we, but we feel honored that we have been able, in our own small way, to make such an impact on the lives of so many people.”

    Natural Pharmaceuticals

    Some of the conditions that the Halag’s products are particularly successful in alleviating are symptoms for breathing problems and menopause. “Doctors are only now beginning to realize that hormone-replacement therapy is not the answer to helping women going through menopause, but we’ve been doing that for years. In addition, hemorrhoids, a condition that conventional medicine can only successfully treat through surgery, can be successfully treated with our creams. And aromatherapy scents are much sought after for helping women during pregnancy and during labor to promote an easy delivery”

    The Halog’s are particularly concerned by the increased usage of Ritalin in schools, for younger and younger children. “I’ve seen classes where 40% of the children are on Ritalin” Shimon says. “For the 4 hours that the Ritalin works, they sit like zombies, and to make things even worse, the Ritalin suppresses their appetites. When the Ritalin wears off, they’re starving, so they eat, and the sudden influx of sugar into their system makes them even more hyperactive! Gila is the partner who works intensively on proper nutrition, especially with hyperactive children, and together with other therapies, the Halags have had quite a bit of success in treating children who have been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD.

    Shem-en Tov has a weekly column in the Magid MeSharim newsletter, which comes out of Jerusalem on Fridays, and is distributed in synagogues throughout the country. Many of their clients have come to them through this venue, but word of mouth has also brought clients from all over the world.

    “We believe that we have been given a special opportunity” Gila and Shimon say at the end of the interview, “to help people stay healthy in a natural manner. It is our income, but it’s more than that…..we have been given gifts that allow us to help others, and that’s worth more than any income”.

    Shem-en Tov can be contacted at shementov@012.net.il or 972-4-6820074/ 972-502-332-446

  • B’Derech HaMelech

    A Search for a Solution

    Edyl Reznik, a Tzfat mother of seven, had grown concerned after hearing friends repeatedly express their worries about their children’s’ difficulties in school, and in life. “It was everywhere you looked” Mrs. Reznik exclaimed “and the only solution that most parents were finding was to medicate their children.”

    B'Derech HaMelech

     

    As Mrs. Reznik researched the issue of options for dealing with children who had been diagnosed with ADD and ADHD, she became convinced that there were other, and better choices than the over-prescribed Ritalin. It was often the first choice of the doctors, the educators, and finally, the parents who had reached the end of their ropes, she realized, when too often other methods and techniques hadn’t even been tried.

    Developing a Holistic Program

    So Mrs. Reznik began a comprehensive program of behavior modification, B’Derech HaMelech. The modification, however, isn’t as much to modify the children’s behavior as it is to work on that of the parents’. The goal of the program is to provide parents’, whose children exhibit various behavior problems, with the proper medical and diagnostic information, to avoid the abuse of Ritalin (“we’re not anti-Ritalin”, Mrs. Reznik emphasizes, “but we try to find strategies so that it doesn’t become the only tool available to deal with difficult children) and train the parents in a variety of techniques that will allow them to successfully deal with their child, both at home and in school. The program concentrates on children who are believed to be ADD, ADHD, gifted, or dyslexic.

    Diagnosing the Problem

    Each new case begins with a phone call – to help insure families’ privacy and confidentiality, most of the consultations and assistance takes place over the phone. The B’Derech HaMelech staff, which consists of educational and psychological professionals, complete an intake questionnaire, which is designed to look at the child’s present situation regarding education, nutrition, eye-hand coordination, and social skills, among other issues. As the counseling progresses, the staff works with the parents on an individual basis to strengthen their parenting skills while insuring that all other possible causes of the child’s difficult behavior are checked. “We find that many children are suffering from any of 35 undiagnosed medical issues” Mrs. Reznick explains, “including vision problems, sleep disorders, blood sugar issues and auditory problems, and often, they manifest as behavioral problems”.

    The staff of B’Derech HaMelech works out of the Reznik home in the Old City of Tzfat. In addition to the individual counsel

    ing, they create materials and run seminars for parents who want some general assistance in raising their families. They work in conjunction with a board that consists of medical doctors and Rabbis, and because of the emphasis on Jewish Law, the vast majority of their clientel

    e are religious Jews. “We have people calling us from all over the world” Mrs. Reznik says “because there really is nothing else like this program that combines up-to-date medical and psychological data with a sensitivity to these peoples’ religious needs.

    “Doctors are sometimes obsessed with ‘disease’” Mrs. Reznik sighs “but when you work with a model that integrates knowledge from a variety of disciplines, you can make a much stronger impact”. One suspects that this is true on a much wider scale than that which B’Derech HaMelech works with, and can only hope that professionals throughout the world will take note.

    B’Derech HaMelech may be contacted at bderech.hamelech@gmail.com or by phone, 972-4-6925251.

  • Tzfat’s English Library

    The “Anglos’ ” Library

    You can hear a lot of English on the ancient streets of Safed and considering its small size, cultural makeup (largely Sephardi) and distance from the main population centers of Israel, Tzfat has a surprisingly large number of Anglo immigrants and native En

    Tzfat's English Library

    glish speakers.

    Visitors often comment on this language phenomenon while in Safed. Even in the short time they are in Tzfat, they hear New York, Midwest and other identifiably American English. (With all due respect to the Brits, Aussies and South Africans in the city, most speakers of English are from North America).

    There are many reasons why English speakers are drawn to Tzfat, among them the sense of community, the religious life and the clean air. But for many ex-Anglos, the deciding factor for settling in Tzfat is The Library.

    Beginnings

    Established in the 1970s by Edyth Geiger, a dynamic dame from Miami, the Tzfat English Library is a haven for speakers of English who crave a bit of their home country. “I would never start my Shabbat preparations on Friday mornings without a qui

    ck stop in the library to get some Shabbos reading,” one sheitel-wearing* member of a Hassidic sect in Tzfat says. “It keeps me going throughout the week,” another reader confides, his ponytail bobbing behind him.

    The library began in Edyth’s tiny apartment after she arrived in Tzfat. A voracious reader, Edyth soon realized that if she wanted books, she would have to take action. She started to borrow friends’ books, and when that well ran dry, she asked friends and well-wishers to send volumes from the States. Word got around that Edyth was willing to lend her books, and slowly her borrow-and-lend system evolved into today’s library.

    Thousands of books on every subject imaginable are catalogued, categorized, shelved and tracked as hundreds of people visit weekly, checking out and returning her books. For decades, volunteers would keep the library orderly and functioning, but Edyth managed the whole operation.

    Edyth

    Edyth Geiger passed away at the age of 94 in June, 2013. She is dearly missed. Not only did Edyth coordinate volunteer activity and undertake all necessary fund raising (thousands of dollars yearly), she oversaw all new arrivals to the library- both from donations and from her own purchases at used book stores throughout the country. Edyth staffed the returns desk every Friday morning, eagle-eyeing tardy borrowers, as well as making sure that the library didn’t lose its personal flavor. “I’ve kept this book aside for you all week,” she could often be heard telling a visitor, “because I know you like this author.”

    There’s other sharing that goes on in the library. People of different backgrounds and beliefs come together to talk, swap stories and opinions and just mingle. It’s not at all unusual to find a group of fervently Orthodox and secular readers clustered in a corner of the library, animatedly discussing a book or exchanging ideas.

    Well into her nineties, Edyth ensured that the library stayed as technologically advanced as the budget will al

    low and she was

    overseeing the digital cataloging of the inventory.

    The library has a children’s section, audiotapes for the visually impaired, videotapes and DVDs, magazines on every conceivable subject, jigsaw puzzles and a wide variety of reading material that any large city library would be proud to have. It’s no wonder that so many Anglos, when asked to explain why they ended up in Tzfat, start out “Well, there’s this library, you see…..”

    For more on the library, click here.

    wig=sheitel*

  • Resources And Services

    Here in our section devoted to the resources and services available in Safed, you can find all of the information you need for a one day trip to the city or for a lifetime of living in Safed.

    Resources And Services

     

    Basic Info

    Here you will find information about the city’s tourist information center, Safed’s banks and post offices, the city’s

    English language library, Information sharing in the city among the Anglo population, a network for prayers, and the Rebecca Sieff Hospital.

    Things To Do

    Check out Safed’s class on Parent Training or find out more about heathly living and natural medicine.  Maybe laugh yoga can help you get through the day ot day grind.  Find out more.

    Also take a look at our article on the Yigal Allon Cultural Center and learn how you can get information on upcoming performances.

    If you are looking for a guide in Safed then look no further.  Enjoy our articles on Safed’s tour guide and a Kabbalah.

    Get all of the information you need for an enjoyable and fun time in Safed.

     

  • Carrying On The Carlebach Legacy

    Common Element

    The Jewish coming of age ceremony known as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah is celebrated when a boy reaches the age of 13 or a girl becomes 12. Among the various customs connected to the rite is a party for all the youngster’s peers. In Israel, like everywhere else, the details of the party may differ according to the individual tastes and status of the parents. There may be 500 guests or

    Carrying On The Carlebach Legacyfewer than 100, steak instead of pasta, or a 5 piece band instead of a DJ.  However, one element is common to every Bar or Bat Mitzvah party and that wo

    uld be a special song: Chaim David’s “Yamama.”

    The popular musician’s signature tune has caught on like wildfire among every sector of the Israeli population. The song creates a delicious tension; the music starts tremulous and slow, and then builds with fervor to a powerful crescendo. The ardent appreciation of this tune has grown to such a peak that the song is no longer enough. Yamama just makes you want to move and so Israeli kids invented a dance to go with the song.

    Infectious Joy

    Guests know Yamama is about to be played when the youngsters go into a huddle on the dance floor. With the opening strains of the song, the kids pat the floor with rapid movements, mimicking a drum beat. As the tempo increases, the children rise as one unit with an almost balletic grace and then abandon themselves in song and dance to the infectious joy of the moment.

    Chaim David has a surname, Saracik, but no one ever calls him anything but Chaim David. The informality of no last name is fitting to the laidback songster’s intimate style, characterized by his acoustic guitar, an anomaly on a music scene wh

    ere every element is powered by electricity. Yamama generates its own kind of electricity, making it the most ecological song around.

    Chaim David is a gentle soul with a raspy voice. He looks a bit frail and small, but don’t let that fool you—there is power in the man. It comes from his soul, lit up some twenty years earlier by the legendary singing rabbi Shlomo Carlebach.

    Great Master

    There was something about Reb Shlomo.  “He was a master of communication,” explains Chaim David, “A great master, you know? He knew how to get into people’s hearts and give them a little bit of love and care–most of the time when they most needed it. He was a master of that.”

    The late rabbi understood that Chaim David was on a musical and spiritual journey and urged him to continue his sojourn in Israel, the Jewish homeland. Chaim David came and stayed, exploding on the music scene with his sweet acoustic guitar. Eleven albums later, Chaim David is still spreading Carlebach’s message of love and acceptance to receptive audiences in Israel and all over.

    The singer songwriter and his band, Chaim David and the Mevasser Tov, have just finished recording a CD by the same name. This creative collection of old and new songs, never before recorded, is sure to please old fans and new devotees.

  • Dor Deah

    Generation of Knowledge

    The Children of Israel who left Egypt with Moses are known as the Dor Deah, the Generation of Knowledge. This generation, which witnessed the miracles of the Ten Plagues, the Exodus from slavery to freedom, and the Giving of the Ten Commandments at M

    Dor Deaht. Sinai, were given this name by Rashi, a great 11th century Jewish commentator who wrote that the generation of Dor Deah was on such a

    high spiritual plane that no other generation would reach that level until the generation of the Mashiach, the Messiah, when redemption would occur.

    The band members of Dor Deah feel that they are privileged to live in a generation which, while perhaps not on the level of the Dor Deah of the Bible, is close. Alon Rom, acoustic guitarist for Dor Deah (in addition to playing the electric guitars, oud, and percussion), explains that today, Jews are exploring and questioning their heritage and roots as never before, and his band wanted to pay tribute to this revival. Together with his fellow band members, Alon Melamed: who plays the electric guitar and flute (!), Naftul on the drums, Yermiyahu on the keyboards and saxophone, Chanan on the trumpet and Yishai Yifati on percussion, they decided to name their Tzfat-based band Dor Deah.

    Dor Deah plays an unusual variety of music, ranging from Rock and reggae to alternative, Chassidic and even Arabic music. Each player brings his own special flavor to the band, as they fuse together sounds from all over the world. Their unusual blend of instruments allows them to blend sounds to create an amazing expression of joy, dance, and celebration.

    Like any other band, Dor Deah plays the “simcha” (life-cycle celebration) circuit. They also play in bars an

    d clubs, at colleges campuses and out on the street corners. They enjoy playing anywhere and everywhere that people get together and to celebrate and express joy.

    Music of the Cosmos

    When asked how the group got together to form their band, Alon explains: “You could say that the cosmos mystically brought us all together. Each one was a musician in his own place, but was looking for an outlet that fused the ancient spiritual musical tradition with modern grooves and vibe.” The group is based in Tzfat, a city that seems to thrive on mystical cosmos, so the match seems perfect. “Tzfat has always had a history of spirituality and mysticism” Alon adds. “It was only natural that our band would develop here… we’re all full time musicians. We’ve been blessed with being able to use our gifts on a full time basis.”

    Dor Deah travels throughout Israel, towards their goal of bringing joy and light to the world.”To have everyone join together in celebrating life, creation, humanity” Alon summarizes. “We hope to use music as a means to elevate the world to the highest levels of happiness.”

    Dor Deah’s music can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/462432208. They can be also be contacted through Alon at 050-303-3569.

  • Eran Madom

    Eran Madom is a native-born Israeli. His father arrived in the country from Yemen and his mother from Morocco, both settling in the northern town of Maalot, nearby Safed, where Eran still lives.

    Eran Madom plays and teaches classical and flamenco guitar as well as composing his own music. At least o

    Eran Madomnce a week Eran journeys to Safed to work with Anat Edry on their joint musical projects.

    Early Years

    Although Eran doesn’t come from a musical family, he has absorbed the Yemenite rhythms of his childhood and this influence is evident when he plays. His father bought him his first guitar after his bar mitzvah when he was thirteen years old and he began his musical career learning to play rock music. While he was in the army he became inspired by the music of jazz guitarists John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain– a master of the tabla. Eran then sold his electric guitar and bought a classical guitar. He found the technique needed for this instrument very different from the electric guitar, but with perseverance, he taught himself to play, even teaching himself to play flamenco guitar from video cassettes.

    Bands

    After the army Eran felt his destiny lay in music and he began to play seriously. Although his mother was skeptical about his ability to earn a living from music, he started to jam with a variety of musicians. Forming his first band, a trio- Tiltan -the name comes from the club design in cards – he played concerts and festivals all over the Galilee. However, this wasn’t enough to live on and so he also worked in a music shop.

    Shimuna

    Eran feels that music is very spiritual, coming from God, and that it allows people to connect to God in a different way. He searched for musicians who felt the same and his next band was called Shimuna. This name, which comes from the Hebrew word for the number 8, was inspired by the idea that there will be a new note when the Messiah comes. The band played and recorded together while striving to look for this new note.

    Hallelu-ja Ensemble

     

    Eran then joined the Hallelu-ja Ensemble working and playing with them for two years. The band plays ethnic music using traditional instruments such as the oud and the baglama, as well as guitar and flute. This enables them to put their own unique take on traditional tunes as well as writing their own music, composed by Eran and others. Although Eran is still recording with the band, playing both guitar and the baglama, he is now also working on his own projects as well as playing with Anat Edry’s band Jacob’s Knights.

    Current Projects

    He feels the inspiration he gets from being in Safed, and from working with Anat and her amazing voice, comes out in all his music. His new project, Magical Journey is a group of musicians who play a variety of ethnic instruments as well as violin, flute and flamenco guitar. The aim of the Magical Journey project is to explore the journey of life and the tribulations of the world.

    As well as playing and teaching music, Eran works as a session musician and plays Moroccan style music in the Andalusian band of Maalot. He will be playing with Anat Edry at the Safed Klezmer festival.

    CD’s

    Shimuna: B’Yom Haoo – This Day (i.e. the day when the Messiah will come)

    Awakening: a CD of meditation music

    At present he is recording with Hallelu-ja, Jacob’s Knights, as well as Magical Journey.

    Contact

    For more information about when and where he is playing, his CD’s or his teaching, contact Eran at 054 745 7999 or email eranguitar@walla.com.

  • The Youth Scene

    With no discos, clubs or pubs available in Safed there is not a lot for young people to do in the city, unless they make their own entertainment. This is partly because of religious sensibilities and partly due to the economic situation in Safed. With the nearest bowling alley in Carmiel and a mainstream cinema far away in Nahariya, young people looking for a night out have to l

    eave Safed. Once they start to do this on a regular basis they begin to realize that there are also

    The Youth Scene greater work opportunities elsewhere, and then they tend to leave Safed permanently. This becomes a vicious circle as more and more young people follow their friends and leave for t

    he bright lights of other cities.

    Motti Maimon

    One young man who is determined to make a difference and change the youth emigration from Safed is Motti Maimon. Motti’s family is very well known in Safed, and own many successful businesses. As well as running his own restaurant, Chima, in Har Canaan, Motti is also a well established DJ.

    DJM

     

    Starting out as a DJ at the tender age of sixteen, Motti, calling himself DJM, began working in clubs all over the north. His circuit now extends as far as Tel Aviv and Herzliya in the center of the country and Kiriyat Shmona on Israel’s northern border.

    Clubs

    Motti offers clubs a full range of music from electro-house through to hip hop via minimal and r & b. He tends not to talk too much between songs, feeling that his audience just wants music, music music, together with a good light show so they can just da

    nce, dance, dance. His club work usually begins around 11pm and can go on late into the night until 4 in the morning. Despite having to keep such late hours as well as running his restaurant, Motti obviously enjoys his work and club goers are equally appreciative.

    Events

    Motti has a separate show for events like Bar Mitzvahs and weddings where he works with percussionist and singer Ben Tznol. They offer a full wedding entertainment service and play a more eclectic mix of Jewish music, mainstream current hits as well as Israeli and American music from the 80’s and 90’s. He also puts on public parties and shows in Safed during the Chanukah and Purim holidays in venues such as the Red Khan.

    Looking Forward

    In the future Motti hopes to help to the city to grow economically making it a more attractive place for tourists and young people alike. That way he believes more young people will be encouraged to live and work in Safed

    To book Motti or for further information about his DJ service telephone 052 284 3643.

    Beni Levi

    One of the people that might help to encourage people to stay in Safed is Motti’s friend Beni Levi. Beni works as a promoter-producer promoting various popular acts around the country. Once a month, on a Saturday night, he brings one of his touring shows to the Yigal Allon Center. As the center can hold over 700 people, Beni Levi believes that by bringing his productions to Safed it encourages people from the city to stay in Safed for a night out instead of having to go elsewhere. Beni brings popular stand-up acts, comedy shows such as Prozac and other performers that appeal to young people and he is slowly building up an audience. He hopes to bring shows to Safed more frequently as the demand increases.

    To contact Beni about his current acts and latest shows telephone 052 350 5590

  • Diana Marcovitz

    Diana Marcovitz was born and raised near Montreal, Canada. Born three minutes after her identical twin,

    Diana Marcovitz

    Diana has, as a result, spent her whole life struggling to express her own voice.

    Early Years

    As a young girl Diana studied piano and when she reached her teens she began playing the guitar. Very soon she was

     entertaining the guests in her father’s hotel by playing the guitar and singing. She basked in the adulation and at age eighteen, with the hotel experience behind her, she had the confidence to play her guitar and sing in the open- mike coffee houses in Montreal. Coming across The McGarrigle Sisters singing, she realized that her style, like theirs, was better suited to the piano. She then honed her act, transferring all her material from the guitar to the piano and very soon she was ready for a bigger stage.

    America

    At twenty-one she crossed the border and went south to New York. Singing her own material and maintaining a quirky style of humor, Diana soon attracted attention. She began to make a name for herself and within two years she was ‘discovered’ by John Hammond of Columbia Records and offered a recording contract. She then began to tour the country coast to coast together with artists like Billy Joel, Sha Na Na, and Al Stewart. They played a variety of venues in a circuit from Chicago to Los Angeles, and back to New York, a month at a time.

    Israel

    After becoming more attached to her Jewish roots, she decided in 1989 to move to Israel, where she married, settling first in Emmanuel and then in Safed. With few serious musical outlets available, Diana turned her wry humor and political awareness to drama. As a writer, performer and director of a series of Purim plays, she encouraged others to shine and have fun while at the same time putting over a serious political message.

    Currently

    Having brought up her family, she now lives with her cat and two dogs, writing and performing. As well as playing small clubs in Rosh Pina and Carmiel, she also performs in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. She still has a cult following in America and the younger generation here in Israel enjoys her zany take on life. In Safed she sings for visiting groups, private parties and in local venues. Her main aim these days is make people laugh and with songs like “The Fat Ladies Gym” about a woman is working out in a gym to lose weigh

    t so that her man will still want her. As she says herself “Once a Stah, darling, always a Stah”

    Recordings

    Her first album “Horse of a Different Feather” was released in 1973 and is now a collector’s item. Her second album “Joie de Vivre” came out in 1976.

    After coming to Israel she released a CD “Still Swinging” and more recently she recorded “Songs for Unconditional Love” which was made in a local studio.

    She is now getting to grips with the digital age and is currently working on new material which will be released in mp3 format on the internet.

    Contact:

    To book Diana for group events, private parties or for further information: phone her on 04 692 1457 or email her goodtimes@bezeqint.net