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Israeli street food – the magnificent and humble boureka

The square shape of the bourekas tells us that they are filled with a potato filling One does not have to spend a long time in Israel to get your first introduction to a boureka. These savory stuffed pastries are everywhere You'll find them for breakfast in hotel dining halls, in countless bakeries and coffee shops, on picnics and even at restaurants that only serve bourekas. They are often eaten in Israeli homes as part of a 'light' or diary meal in the evenings. (Most households in Israel usually serve the large cooked meal at lunchtime.) More often than not, bourekas are also an integral part of the wonderful Friday or Shabbat brunch table. To be really honest however, you basically eat a boureka whenever you encounter one. They are that irresistible. If you stop to grab a quick coffee at a coffee shop, the comforting smell of the bourekas will convince you to upgrade to a 'café ve'ma afe' (coffee + pastry). Wandering through street markets, the sight of fres
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In and Around Bat Galim

Bat Galim's architectural landmark - white arches. And yes, of course kids and grown-ups climb on top of them.


















A few weeks ago, the municipality of Bat Galim, a neighborhood in Haifa, Israel held an "Open house" for artists. Some of the art was amazing, others less so. Quite less...

But the neighborhood of Bat Galim totally charmed me. "Bat Galim" means 'daughter of the waves" and yes, it is right next to the sea.



A lot Russian immigrants live there, so they add a bit of a 'Brighton beach-feeling'. Mixed that with the  70's architecture, some amazing ancient buildings staring at the sea and the smell of the salt air and I think I have found the place where I would like retire one day!

But have a look for yourself. I think I got some really nice photos that manage to capture the place's charm.

Old, rusty and run-down, but so full of atmosphere! Bat Galim is full of these old two-story apartment blocks.

A seascape in the artist Alex's studio. If he looks out of his window, he will see the Mediterranean sea. Cool place for a person who likes to paint seascapes!
An Eritrean wedding party found a pretty spot in Bat Galim for their wedding photos.

A window that is a mirror to the sea and a wall covered with shells,

The local ice-cream place, note the rounded corners of the building.

A patriotic succa - a little hut that is made during the Jewish Succot holiday.

Some of the more odd art that I came across on the "Open house for Artists".

The view across the bay.

A fisheman's bicycle.

A couple who found a quiet spot on the beach - note the sand that has been raked. Israeli beaches are raked every morning for explosives and other nasty things.

Scandinavian house - architecture from the turn of the century. This old house is a meeting place for travelers from Scandinavian countries.

Some more beautiful art. Each 'shell' costs about a thousand shekels, so my kids could not go near, though they really wanted to touch the shells!


One last look - good bye Bat Galim - thanks for the lovely time!

Comments

  1. RickismomDecember 9, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    This was interesting for me, as I was in Bat Galim in '73, in ulpan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marina ShemeshJanuary 21, 2013 at 1:14 PM

      Has it changed much? From what you can see in the photos?

      Delete
    2. VictorAugust 8, 2014 at 9:30 AM

      I was in Ulpan Bat Galim from May 1971 - Sept. It was a former barrack from the British. Met many great people there making aliya. Email me if you were there.

      Delete
    3. SueJanuary 21, 2018 at 1:39 PM

      Me too! I was there March 1971 for five months. Had a great time and met some great people but decided Israel was not for me. I was only 19 and was terribly homesick

      Delete
    4. VictorJune 14, 2020 at 8:56 AM

      I started in May 1971 to polish up my Hebrew for my year ay the Technion. We overlapped!

      Delete
  2. UnknownJanuary 7, 2021 at 1:33 PM

    I was in Ulpan Bat Galim in NOvember 1971

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousAugust 6, 2022 at 3:19 AM

      I was in the group before you. My teacher was Chana if I remember right.

      Delete
    2. VictorSeptember 24, 2022 at 3:22 AM

      Chana was my teacher as well. I met my future wife in the ulpan.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 16, 2022 at 12:32 PM

    Bat Galim is a hidden treasure... My husband was born there in 1950, grew up there till age 10. We now live in NYC, he is an independent filmmaker, and we are looking forward to returning, to stay awhile, and he will finally create ' his' good story, a the lovely ( non-political ). Michaels parents escaped Germany in 1939.

    ReplyDelete

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