EL AL | Atmosphere

Lifestyle I Local Initiative

Beit Elfarasha (Butterfly House in Arabic) was founded by women for women. Both boutique hotel and social hub, the fascinating cooking workshops organized here bring people together and create bridges between cultures and communities / By Ariel Kars The butterfly effect

Photos by Cathy Raff

For the love of Akko, food, and community At the origin of the Beit Elfarasha initiative is Cathy Raff, an American who fell in love with the city of Akko and has been part of the city’s social and cultural life since 2009. The first thing you see when you arrive at Beit Elfarasha are beautiful black and white photographs of locals, outside the building along the alleyway. The photos were taken by Raff herself, a former photographer. As you step inside, you are immediately struck by the attention to detail and the modern aesthetics of the interior design that blend in beautifully with the ancient Ottoman edifice. The ground floor is where workshops and events take place, including Tibetan bowl meditation

Nowhere is Israel’s “Mediterranean spirit” more palpable than in the Old City of Akko. It is a whirlwind of history, coastline views, ancient ruins, and modern architecture. Centuries of Ottoman, Arab, Bahá ʼ í, Christian, and Jewish presence interconnect here, creating a unique atmosphere. In 2001, the Old City of Akko was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and people from all over the world come year-round to explore it and enjoy its wonderful food scene. Beit Elfarasha (“butterfly house” in Arabic) is a unique initiative. A small boutique hotel as well as a social and cultural center, it is situated right by the Old City walls in a beautiful Ottoman building recently restored.

30 ATMOSPHERE OCTOBER 2023