I live with my husband Don in Alfe Menashe, near Kfar Saba, Israel. I'm a rather quiet type, happiest with a book, a glass of wine, and a cat on my lap. A serious connoisseur of sunsets, I believe that life is a great blessing, and is not given lightly. What we do with our lives matters, not only for us, but for all those who's lives we touch. What we own, we owe, and what we become is an expression of gratitude for life.

I'm the author of Returning (Kasva, 2018) and Havruta with a One-Eyed Cat (to be released later this year). You can read more about me on my blog: https://www.yaelshahar.com

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've had some lovely experiences with Couchsurfers and met some wonderful people.

Interests

Learning, especially Talmud (Jewish religious Law and tradition), hiking and jeep trips around Israel. Writing and painting. Horse-training. Gardening.

• cats
• writing
• books
• folklore
• wine
• gardening
• blogging
• painting
• drawing
• hiking
• law

Music, Movies, and Books

I like traditional Ladino, Greek, and Turkish music, classical guitar and various classical composers. My favorite books are too many to mention! But they include science fiction, fantasy, physics, cosmology... And I love studying classical Jewish sources.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of the most amazing things I've done was snappling down a 50 meter hole near the Dead Sea into a cave made entirely of salt. A flashlight turned the whole place into a crystal palace!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm willing to study Talmud with anyone who wants to learn! Other things to share: horse training and hoof care, Mediterranean gardening techniques, oil painting and pen & ink drawing, computer graphics. Things I would like to learn: mosaic tile work, metal work, ferrocement techniques.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Jeep trips and knowledge of historical points along the route. Learning & discussing Jewish sources. Gardening and herbal tips. Great Shabbat dinners cooked by my wonderful husband.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Israel, United States

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