Nostalgia Sunday – Take a Hike, Alte Zachen!

November 8, 2009 - 4:09 PM by Rachel Neiman

It’s the end of an era. Ynet News reported today that following six-year struggle, Tel Aviv has become the first city in Israel to prohibit the entry of horse-drawn carriages into its territory.” That phrase, “horse-drawn carriages” is a pretty euphemism for the age-old Jewish profession of dealing in rags, bones and bottles. In other words, alte zachen. (The phrase is used universally even though for most Israelis in the trade it is about the only Yiddish word they will ever know).

Maybe - Alte Zachen in Tel Aviv

According to Ynet, “The Tel Aviv Municipality and the Ministry of Transportation recently completed the posting of 23 road signs across the city’s southern entry routes which ban the entry of horses. The step completes a six-year long struggle to remove metal traders and junk peddlers from the city, who do their business using horse-drawn carriages.” So, no more surrealistic traffic jams like this:

Yoav Lerman - Alte Zachen in Tel Aviv

“Attorney Reuven Ladiansky, who was elected as a Tel Aviv Municipality representative a year ago together with his Latet Lihyot (Let Live) movement, led the campaign against horse labor in the city. He was joined by Councilman Dr. Moshe Tiomkin, who acts as head of the municipality’s Transport & Parking Authority.”

Kindness to animals is a value in which I believe – and trust me, legislation of this sort was necessary as the horses working in the service of the local rag n’ bone men never seemed to be the happiest of creatures. Nonetheless, part of me will miss the clash of images that was so emblematic of this country: modern 20th and 21st century electronics being transported by ancient means.

Shira'le - Alte Zachen in Tel Aviv

It’s also unclear how the Tel Aviv ban can possibly affect animal-drawn carriage use everywhere else in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, where beasts of burden have traditionally been, well… just that. It looks like organizations like Latet Lihyot, Hakol Chai and Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holyland will still have plenty of work to do.

Tags: , , , , , , , • Category: A New Reality, General, History and Culture, Israeliness, Life, Nostalgia Sunday, Pop Culture 

Comments

5 Comments on Nostalgia Sunday – Take a Hike, Alte Zachen!

  1. Mary Alice Pollard, Cornwalls Voice for Animals on Fri, Nov 13th 2009 12:02 PM

    2. On behalf of the horses – thank you ! I hope that many other cities, everywhere will follow your good example. This hasn’t come too soon either especially when I see the condition of some of these horses and their workloads – and what they have to work in, meaning the polution and noise. I have many friends who live and visit this city and they will be so thankful to hear this news !

  2. Rich Russom on Fri, Nov 13th 2009 3:33 PM

    3. Congratulations are in order for all that worked so hard to make this happen! We thank you, and the Horses thank you:)

    Rich Russom

  3. Marc on Mon, Nov 16th 2009 5:32 PM

    4. Thank you very much for ending the cruelty!

  4. Eureka Morrison on Thu, Nov 19th 2009 8:43 AM

    5. Thank you for this act of kindness and common sense. I salute you!

  5. Rachel Neiman on Sun, Nov 29th 2009 6:36 PM

    6. The official announcement: 10 Year Campaign Saves Tel Aviv’s Horses
    http://www.silobreaker.com/10-year-campaign-saves-tel-avivs-horses-5_2262734087456292896

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