Poland -- Kielce Shabbaton

Michael Traison, who organized the Shabbaton last weekend in the Polish city of Kielce, has passed on some reaction to the event, which brought Jewish religious services to the century-old synagogue in the city for the first time since World War II The synagogue was totally rebuilt after the war and has served as the district archive since 1951. Fotos of the event have been posted of the very comprehensive Shabbaton Web Site.

This is what one participant wrote:

From childhood I used to listen to my parents descriptions of the Kielce synagogue. This synagogue was the symbol and pride of the Jewish community of Kielce. It was like Jerusalem for the Jews in Kielce and their center of life. It appeared on every document, book, letterhead related to Jewish Kielce. It was the community icon. Whenever I told somebody that I visited the synagogue they asked me whether the wonderful ceiling paintings are still there.  

I am not a religious person, I don't know to pray and if I went to synagogue it was mainly during my and my sons bar mitzvah when I also "went up to the Tora" - keeping the Jewish tradition. I never had a dream to pray at any specific place, or at all, neither in the Kielce synagogue but apparently when it happened it became another bar Mitzvah for me.

When I was 13 years old I went up to the Tora in our local synagogue surrounded by all my family members and friends. Being a good musician, I learned to sing the Brachot, Aftara and Maftir as a real Hazan. I remember very well the excitement and how my parents were proud. This was almost 50 years ago.

Last weekend I was standing there in the Kielce synagogue during the praying, once again surrounded with many friends, Jews and non Jews among them the chief Rabbi of Poland. I slowly started to feel excited and realized that I am celebrating a second bar mitzvah but this time without the presence of my family members. Then instead of looking into the Sidur, I started to think of each and every one of my family members who lived in Kielce and prayed in this same place and slowly slowly I started to feel their presence. And when Rabbi Schudrich invited me to the Tora, instead of saying the Brachot I suddenly started to sing them at exactly the same melody which I was singing when I was 13 years old and which I never repeated since then. I felt that I came to Kielce to celebrate my Bar Mitzva once again after 49 years, this time with my grandparents, great grandmother uncles, cousins and other family members that lived in Kielce and could not attend my first 13 years bar mitzvah. I hope that they have been proud of my singing as were my parents when I was 13 years old.

Ukraine -- Big Turnout at Berdichev

The Federation of Jewish Communities in the CIS reports that there was a record turnout this month to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Rabbi Levi Yitzhak, an early Hasidic Master who spent the last 25 years of his life in Berdichev (or Berdychiv, in Ukrainian).

Born around 1740, he was a disciple of the tzaddiks Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg (Mikulov, Czech Republic) and the Maggid of Mezhirech.  Levi Yitzhak was one of several charismatic rabbis who made their home in Berdychev. He believed in the innate goodness of human beings, and his optimism and good cheer imbued his teachings. In particular, he believed that people could serve God in their daily actions as well as through prayer, and even prayed and wrote in Yiddish so that ordinary Jews could understand his words.

Berdichev is legendary in Jewish life and lore. Jews settled here in the early 18th century, and the town developed into an archetypical shtetl, and great Yiddish writers set stories there or used it as models for fictional towns. In 1897, its more than 41,000 Jews made up 80 percent of the town. There were said to be at least 80 synagogues and prayer rooms, but the town was also a hotbed of the Socialist Labor Bund.

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak's tomb in the large Jewish cemetery is a place of pilgrimage. Protected by a newly refurbished ohel as big as a small house, it stands surrounded by thousands of tombstones. The cemetery has undergone clean-up work -- but when I visited in 2006, it was very overgrown.

 Berdichev Jewish cemetery 2006. Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber

Inside, his grave is covered by a simple slab, flanked by racks to hold candles.

Photo (c) Ruth Ellen Gruber, 2006

Here's what the web site of the Federation of Jewish Communities said about the commemorations:

The activities were overseen by Chief Rabbi of Berdichev Moshe Taller, who is also a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary serving in the region. The local Jewish community carried out the necessary preparations thanks to the financial support of Mr. Aaron Meiberg, who made this contribution to honor his parents’ memory.

One of the special projects commemorating the 200-year anniversary was the publishing of a booklet with excerpts from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s teachings as well as a book of Psalms with commentary by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak.

The number of visitors to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak’s gravesite on or around the yartzeit was more numerous than usual. For their convenience, the Jewish Community Center organized a hospitality center at the cemetery, where visitors were able to get kosher food, have use of restrooms and special water containers for the ritual washing of hands after visiting a grave were also made available. Additional lights were also installed at the cemetery for those people coming at night. The police provided for the visitors’ safety, while the city government arranged a pedestrian crossing for the visitors in front of the cemetery.

On Tuesday, 25 Tishrei (October 13 this year) everyone was welcome to participate in a special meal in the central courtyard of the city’s synagogue. Many rabbis and public figures attended the meal, including Mikhail Yudanin, a board member of the World Congress of Russian Jewry, who is a friend of the Jewish community of Berdichev. Mr. Yudanin received an honorary certificate in appreciation for his support of the Jewish community’s growth and development.

Mayor of Berdichev Vasiliy Mazur, who actively contributed to the reception’s organization, greeted the visitors. He noted that Berdichev owes its world-famous name to the Jewish people (in the past, the city was considered the unofficial Jewish capital of the Russian empire), and expressed his hopes that Jewish life in the city will continue to undergo a revival.

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Ukraine - Synagogue in Khmelnitsky restored, reopened

The synagogue in the Ukrainian town of Khmelnitsky has been renovated and reopened for religious use.

The Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS reports that it reopened for the High Holidays and was filled to capacity.

The synagogue is the only one in the city to have survived the Soviet era, through during that time it was neglected and became utterly rundown. While superficial renovations were carried out following the collapse of the USSR, it soon became clear that the entire building needing a complete overhaul.

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Brinchang Town & The Warriors of Cameron Highlands

Brinchang town (N4°29.508' E101°23.324') - located about 5KM up north from Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands. I noticed this small town occupied by many luxury and budget hotels. Beside that, there are also many choices for Steamboat Restaurant...(that's why I said before, you need to travel both town frequently). One of the famous restaurant here is 'OK Tuck Steamboat Restaurant', but we don't have a chance to taste it yet...

It's only has few main roads here (for the moment) and pretty easy for you to move around...
The hotel (Rosa Passadena Hotel) that we stayed is just situated in the middle of the town, it's really convenience for food and daily necessity.

This small town is under heavy construction for hotels and apartments to cater more visitors and tourist during public holiday, I feel this situations might overkill the greenery of the Beauty Nature!
My disappointment is...Cameron Highlands is not as cold as those day since my last visit (year 2003), maybe because of the 'Global Warming'? Maybe....
...hopefully it will be back to what it was...


Another interesting scene is...there are many Land Rover Series 1 & Defender in this Highlands. I called them as "The Warriors of Cameron Highlands". Without them, farming will become big problem! At the moment, I don't think others vehicle can replace it because normal lorry will not complete the task in the plantation...

Let me share some photos of the Warriors...








All the Land Rover here are having different type of Road Tax compare with normal vehicle in Malaysia. Have you notice the words : "CH"? I believe that's their "road tax".
No wonder, my friend always tell me that...Cameron Highlands is the Home Of Land Rover!

Disaster Respond Unit

If you are beer drinker, please visit this minimart below...they are selling the cheapest beer in town! MYR4.80 (SGD2.00) per can for Carlsberg.


Brinchang, I will be back!

My Cameron Highlands Trip - September 2009
* Rosa Passadena Hotel at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* Tanah Rata Town of Cameron Highlands 2009 (D1)
* Dinner at Rosa Passadena Hotel - Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* The Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands (September 2009) , Pahang (D2)
*Mount (Gunung) Brinchang Lookout Tower, Cameron Highlands - Pahang (D2)
* The Sungai Palas BOH Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* The Time Tunnel Musuem of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Lunch at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Mr Nachimuthu's Strawberry Farm at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* Big Red Strawberry Farm of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Bala's Holiday Chalet at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2) - Bad impression
* Traveler Pub and Bistro at Tanah Rata of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* The Morning Fruits & Vegetables Market at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D3)

MY TRIPS - Home

The Morning Fruits & Vegetables Market at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

The market (N4°30.210' E101°24.416') located at the Kea Farm area along the road to Rose Centre. The stretch is about 150 meter from the main road. Shops are selling vegetables, flower, fruits and souvenirs at the both side of the road.

Most of shops are closed during our visit.

The best timing to visit this street will be weekend of public holiday, most of them are close during week day. But I believe they sell the same stuffs...

Strawberry stall along the road

Many tourist also visit this street by their tour agency during the morning session. My wife and daughter having their window shopping and I had a cup of Teh Tarik (Tea) at one of the coffee shop...

Vegetables here are really cheap and fresh! The stall below selling the vege 16 packs for MYR15.00. You can choose any combination you like...All of them are packed.
My wife took the attractive package. At least we bought something...haha!

This is the place (beside the wet market) where you can buy most of the vegetables and others which planted on Cameron Highlands.

Vegetables stall

The flower stall

We didn't buy many stuffs from the here on our second visit, but we loved the fresh air and the feeling of walking under the sun. We stayed around for about 1 hour, then we had a cup of tea again! :)

They sell Cactus too...

My daughter was staring at the tibits which make from fruits

Not crowded during our visit, it was quite a nice walk along the street.

Red Strawberry

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My Cameron Highlands Trip - September 2009
* Rosa Passadena Hotel at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* Tanah Rata Town of Cameron Highlands 2009 (D1)
* Dinner at Rosa Passadena Hotel - Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* The Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands (September 2009) , Pahang (D2)
* Mount (Gunung) Brinchang Lookout Tower, Cameron Highlands - Pahang (D2)
* The Sungai Palas BOH Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* The Time Tunnel Musuem of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Lunch at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Mr Nachimuthu's Strawberry Farm at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* Big Red Strawberry Farm of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Bala's Holiday Chalet at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2) - Bad impression
* Traveler Pub and Bistro at Tanah Rata of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)

MY TRIPS - Home

Traveler Pub and Bistro at Tanah Rata of Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Traveler Pub & Bistro (N4°28.219' E101°22.507) is located at Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands. It's also the Only pub between Tanah Rata and Brinchang. Beside this, there are a few Typical Chinaman pub at Brinchang too...

The environment is cozy and relax...it's an open concept.
I ordered a bottle of Carlsberg cost MYR10.00. The price was reasonable especially around the Tourist area. They serve other imported beer too...

After the whole day walking and visiting around Cameron Highlands, this is the time for me to take a rest! Haha! I love the atmosphere over here where drink the cold beer in the cold temperature, and of course...not in the noisy kind of pub!

Beside the drink, they serve light food too! I saw some of the customers did order some snacks or foods on their table.

I'm just wondering...why there is no other pub and bistro (beside this) in this tourist attraction area?


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My Cameron Highlands Trip - September 2009
* Rosa Passadena Hotel at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* Tanah Rata Town of Cameron Highlands 2009 (D1)
* Dinner at Rosa Passadena Hotel - Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* The Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands (September 2009) , Pahang (D2)
* Mount (Gunung) Brinchang Lookout Tower, Cameron Highlands - Pahang (D2)
* The Sungai Palas BOH Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* The Time Tunnel Musuem of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Lunch at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Mr Nachimuthu's Strawberry Farm at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* Big Red Strawberry Farm of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Bala's Holiday Chalet at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2) - Bad impression

MY TRIPS - Home

Dinner at Rosa Passadena Hotel (Day 2), Cameron Highlands

Dinner on the second night at Cameron Highlands at the same place - Passadena Hotel.
Tonight we had the Steamboat package...The foods serve by the restaurant were in big portion! That would be nice for 3-4 persons.

The soup was good! And the staffs here were really friendly and helpful...the services was very much different compare with Bala's Holiday Chalet!

That was the unforgettable dining experience for us because of the cold temperature outside and we were warm by the cooker on our table! We took more than 2 hours to enjoy the foods here, but...after trying very hard, we still cannot finish the foods served by the restaurant. Apologies from me & my family...

After the dinner, our next...will be Tanah Rata town again!

My Cameron Highlands Trip - September 2009
* Rosa Passadena Hotel at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* Tanah Rata Town of Cameron Highlands 2009 (D1)
* Dinner at Rosa Passadena Hotel - Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D1)
* The Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands (September 2009) , Pahang (D2)
* Mount (Gunung) Brinchang Lookout Tower, Cameron Highlands - Pahang (D2)
* The Sungai Palas BOH Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* The Time Tunnel Musuem of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Lunch at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Mr Nachimuthu's Strawberry Farm at Brinchang, Cameron Highlands (D2)
* Big Red Strawberry Farm of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)
* Bala's Holiday Chalet at Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2) - Bad impression
* Traveler Pub and Bistro at Tanah Rata of Cameron Highlands, Pahang (D2)

MY TRIPS - Home