Scene of the Shrine I was recently shocked upon returning to the Rabbi Uziel Amuka Shrine. When last in Israel, we had stumbled across it touring tombs of the many Rabbis buried in the area. My girlfriend and future wife to be took great joy in “hanging out” for a while at this pretty shrine dedicated to women, partly as we had seen so few tombs, shrines, memorials or commemorative spots of any kind dedicated to the female sex. I say I was thunderstruck upon this return, because it is now a filthy, rubbish strewn pit, suffering from atrocious neglect, worse than anywhere I’ve seen in my recent touring. I can’t imagine a worse scene for one of the few places in this country dedicated solely to women. The word vandalism comes to mind. I’m not sure which group or authority is ultimately responsible for the upkeep of this area, but whoever it is, is obviously not being afforded the resources to do the job adequately. Although, cynically, we noticed the dozens and dozens we’ve seen dedicated to the “glorious” male sex, seem immaculate. Something seems out of whack right there. What is more troubling, is that the majority of visitors, coming to picnic and hang out obviously have no respect for this beautiful and “sacred” shrine at all, leaving garbage strewn everywhere even with numerous rubbish bins provided. It is a disgrace not only to women but in general. Lance Read Canadian Teacher on Sabbatical Kibbutz Ginegar Jerusalem Post November 2005