Saraya Safed
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− | + | ('''Hebrew''': סעריה / '''Translation''': Saraya Center /'''Other Names''': Saraya Community Center, Saraya Building, Wolfson Community Center, / '''Definition''': Tzfat Community Center / '''Description''': Central Community Center, under the auspices of the Association of Tzfat Community Centers) | |
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− | The | + | The Saraya is a landmark in Tzfat. The large two-story building whose clock chimes every hour is an familiar site on the outskirts of the Artists Quarter. It is, for many visitors, the first view of Old Tzfat that they see as they drive into the city. |
== History == | == History == | ||
− | “Saraya” -- "palace” in Turkish was built in the 1700s during the rule of Dahar El Omar, an [ | + | “Saraya” -- "palace” in Turkish was built in the 1700s during the rule of Dahar El Omar, an Ottoman [http://www.zissil.com/topics/Ottoman-Rule-of-Safed-1760-to-1918] ruler, who commissioned the construction of the building as a government administration building. After the British defeated the Turks during WWI and undertook the administration of the British Mandate on Palestine [http://www.zissil.com/topics/British-Rule-of-Safed-1918-to-1948], they began to use it as their own headquarters. |
=== Shelter === | === Shelter === | ||
− | [ | + | During the Arab riots of 1929 [http://www.zissil.com/topics/Tarpat-1929-Arab-Riots-in-Safed], Jews who escaped from the Jewish Quarter took refuge in the Saraya but the British did not adequately protect them. Even in the midst of the British army, the Arabs managed to climb onto the Saraya roof and shoot into the crowd of Jews who were huddled in the Saraya courtyard. |
=== War of Independence === | === War of Independence === | ||
− | When the [ | + | When the British evacuated Tzfat [http://www.zissil.com/topics/Safed-War-of-Independence] they turned the Saraya over to the Arab forces which, at that time, included Syrian and Iraqi soldiers. The pre-State underground, Lehi, managed to blow up part of the building, demoralizing the Arabs. |
== Post-Independence == | == Post-Independence == | ||
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==== Noam Synagogoue ==== | ==== Noam Synagogoue ==== | ||
− | The [ | + | The Noam synagogue [http://www.zissil.com/topics/Noam-Synagogue-Safed] operates morning “minyans” -- prayer quorums -- as well as Sabbath and holiday services, classes and different types of activities to meet the needs of the religious community in Tzfat. |
==== Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry ==== | ==== Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry ==== | ||
− | The | + | The Memorial Museum of Hungarian Speaking Jewry operates in a small building in the Saraya courtyard. It is open from 9:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and provides information and exhibits that offer a glimpse of the pre-Holocaust and Holocaust-era Hungarian-speaking Jewish world. |
==== Dance Studio ==== | ==== Dance Studio ==== | ||
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==== Music School ==== | ==== Music School ==== | ||
The Community Center music school offers classes to Tzfat schoolchildren in a side tower of the Saraya. Children can learn whichever instrument they choose and the older children often perform at municipal and other cultural events in bands and youth symphonies. | The Community Center music school offers classes to Tzfat schoolchildren in a side tower of the Saraya. Children can learn whichever instrument they choose and the older children often perform at municipal and other cultural events in bands and youth symphonies. | ||
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[[Category:Safed]] | [[Category:Safed]] | ||
[[Category:Jewish History]] | [[Category:Jewish History]] | ||
[[Category:Israel Landmarks]] | [[Category:Israel Landmarks]] |