This time, I want to give some background, if you aren\'t interested, feel free to skip right to the recommendations; I promise I won\'t be offended. Professionally I was a fundraiser for many years. First I raised funds for Israeli soldiers and then for the amazing organization I am still involved with that cares for abused and neglected children in Israel. A year ago, I decided I am totally sick of fundraising and want to do something else but didn\'t know what.

My husband, an American, told me he is not the only coupon lover, but that it is deep in the roots of American culture to love a good discount (in Israel, we just bargain with the store owners directly ). This gave me my idea for the next phase, or current phase of my life. I went to many of the restaurants and businesses that we love, asked them all to donate discount coupons, created a coupon book, and now I sell this coupon book. 100% of all proceeds from sales go directly to the children in the care of Machon Summit, not me and not anyone else earns a penny off of it. So with this introduction, here are some of the great restaurants that I love, and were generous enough to donate these discounts:

Polly\'s Bar/ restaurant:
This dairy kosher Italian restaurant is not far from our house. It is located in the quaint Jerusalem neighborhood of Baka, in an old Arab house. You can either dine on the porch, surrounded by passion-fruit trees, or in an inside room with arched door ways, and warm lighting. I frequently come here with my kids, but have also seen Knesset members hold meetings here. Anything we have ever orders whether salads, pastas, lasagnas, or fish, has always been delicious. The portions are very large as well, so you won\'t leave hungry. I personally recommend the eggplant parmesan. Make sure you leave room for their special desserts.

Buffalo Steak House:
For those of you like my husband, who prefer a good steak over dairy any time, there is Buffalo Steak House. It is located on Emek Refaim St in the German Colony. This is a street with many cafes and shops that make sure you leave yourself time to walk around in, it\'s one of our favorite areas in town. The menu at Buffalo offers not only steaks but also salads, Carpaccio, and much more. Here I recommend you order their home made onion rings, you won\'t be disappointed.

Pizza Sababa:
Though just a pizza shop, it is located on the same street as Buffalo, and has the best onion pizza I have ever tasted in my life, anywhere, hands down. It is a family business, and all the workers have been there for as long as I can remember, so you get that warm homey feeling when you are there.

Olive & Fish Meat Restaurant:
Across from Liberty Bell Park near the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe is Olive & Fish. This is not a place I go to with the kids, though it\'s Israel and almost anything goes, so you can if your children sit nicer than mine do. This restaurant has a romantic retro atmosphere. The food is European style, but with a Mediterranean influence. The service is also great. i suggest a leisurely walk in yemin Moshe before or after your meal to see the windmill and the breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Cafe Inbal:
My favorite time of the week is Friday morning with the feeling of the Sabbath coming near, the hustle and bustle of the preparations, and mostly, after I have done preparing everything, I love sitting in an outdoor cafe for breakfast with my family and the weekend newspaper. Cafe Inbal is locaed in Ein Kerem, one of the oldest and most incredibly beautiful neighborhoods of Jerusalem. Just last week, when taking a walk after breakfast, we mistakenly came upon a church in Ein Kerem that has been there and active for over 400 years. All the small cobble stone side streets make me feel like I have raveled in a time tunnel every time I am there. Cafe Inbal is beautiful, charming, the food is delicious, and if you will be there for breakfast, I especially recommend you get the couple\'s breakfast with the home made spreads, baked goods, and so much more.

I will write about more restaurants in another entry, because if you are like me, you don\'t like reading such long articles  To check out these restaurants and other great discount places that have donated coupons feel free to visit www.israeltravelcoupons.com

until next time,
aynat

My grand-father, or as we all called him in Hebrew Saba, passed away two weeks ago. He was 96 years old, lived a full happy life, and I am blessed to have had him for so long. With that, I am working through the sadness of losing someone that I was so close with, that loved me unconditionally, and gave me so much.

Toward the end of his life, my Saba did a lot of praying. A few times, I asked him what he is saying. Once he told me he was praying for peace in Israel "Shalom Al Yisrael". My Saba loved travelling, and archaeology, and so, as a healing for me I want to put together some of the trips we took together throughout my childhood and adulthood. There are so many, so this time, I'll just focus on The Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem :

Of course how could we not start with the holiest and most beautiful of places? Though I have lived in Jerusalem for many years, I never tire of walking through the ancient side streets of the Old City. Just the thought that for thousands of years, people have been walking these same streets is enough to give some perspective. I love finding new paths, peaking into the court yards of the beautiful stone homes, breathing the smell of freshly baked pitas, and sitting in the sun for a cup of coffee in the Cardo.

Certainly, we would visit the Wailing Wall; this is the outer Western Wall of what was the Second Holy Temple. It is said to be the Holiest site. Though I believe G-d hears us wherever we are, I really think you can feel the spirit of G-d specifically here. I don't know if it is the power of everyone's prayers or the place itself, but on my search for spirituality, it is my favorite.

Saba loved the Wohl Museum. Located in the Jewish Quarter, the Whol Museum is an entire neighborhood, from the time of the Second Temple, or the era of Herod. This Herodian Quarter lies underground and provides a peak into mansions from the period, discovered during archaeological digs. In addition to seeing the actual layout of rooms, which in itself is incredible, on display is glassware, frescoes, mosaics; it is as though you have traveled in time.

Along the Wailing Wall is the Western Wall Tunnels. You must reserve a tour in advance. (It is free, but you need armed security with you. Don't let this frighten you, it is very worth while). On this tour you go to a part of the Wall that is not exposed to the outside, stand just 90 meters from where it is believed was the holiest of holy rooms in the Second Temple, walk along a street dating back to the days of the Temple, and just feel.

On the other side of the Wall is the Davidson Center and Archaeological Park. Here there are incredible excavations, stretched over a very big area, where you can see almost the entire history of the Holy City of Jerusalem, as well as detailed exhibits and maps. There are so many other places I would love to tell you about, but trying not to make this too long. Hope to continue it soon.