CAARI visited Sarona where we met Eran
Shadar, a noted Israeli actor, that made us laugh and smile while explaining the
roots of a unique group of people from Germany. They called themselves Templers
and established 7 colonies in the Holy
Land in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They brought
with them modern technology that did not exist in this part of the world, such
as windmills, metal weather vanes and stream engine olive press, all of which
are present at Sarona. Sarona was one of those seven colonies that today has 37
restored buildings from this period.
The Sarona market place of today is one of
the magnets of Tel Aviv offering a world wide variety of food for rising chefs.
CAARI walked through the underground 19th
century wine barrel tunnels which were used by the Templers who were major wine
producers. During the War of
Independence large aircraft parts were hidden in these tunnels.
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| CAARI assembles at the wind mill of Sarona |
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| Eraan Shadar out tour guide in Sarona shows up and starts to explain |
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| Eran Shadar captivates CAARI participants attention with his imitations of figures from Ottoman Turkish times |
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| Eraan Shadfar in a Fez explains to the CAARI group about the bowling alley at Sarona |
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| The restored Bowling Alley at Sarona |
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| One of the original trees planted over 140 years ago by the Templers at Sarona |
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Eran Shadar imitates Ben Gurion at Sarona
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That evening we heard from Colette Avital, (below) former Knesset member and Israel’s Counsel General to UN in the late 1990’s, who has led the fight for compensation for Holocaust survivors in Israel and around the world.
BEIT Halochem, what an impressive facility that is
tailored to the needs of of those in the IDF who have valiantly served Israel
and who were devastatingly wounded. Walking through the lovely grounds on a
sunny day, was only superseded by the magnificent rehabilitation centre. Every
detail has been considered and implemented for the well-being of the men and
women and their families that benefit from the hard work and dedication of the
professional staff. We had the honour of meeting Amnon Sharon and hearing his
story of capture and torture, for 7 months, by the Syrians. What a dreadful
experience and what a man of courage and will to survive the ordeal as a result
of the Yom Kippur War.
