Old Jaffa is a tourist attraction and generally an interest point worth visiting, ancient history, narrow alleys and an assortment of art galleries. It’s proximity to the beach and to the city of Tel-Aviv (they actually belong to the same municipality) ads to it some coffee shops and restaurants to rest at, when you’re just about tired of exploring.

My exploration of the old city and its sights was interrupted- for the better- when I stumbled upon an alley full of cats, patiently waiting for their daily meal.

Street and stray cats are a very common sight in the cities of Israel. This lady has made herself a habit of feeding the street cats of the old city of Jaffa on a daily basis for the past 15 years, no less. “Some need much more love and attention than food“, but there is definitely no need to spare in that department as well.

Each cat has its own name and is invited to its plate by that name, except for the ones very recent to this culinary arrangement. With 30 cats or so, one cannot but appreciate the attention. A line of clean plates is placed against a wall, and then a two course meal is served while the cats wait patiently to their turn. Those don’t get an assertive comment from the chef, as there is “more then plenty for everyone“.

Society in a way got us used to consider people feeding cats obsessively as being odd and lonely, but if you ever walk around the alleys of old Jaffa in a late afternoon, look for the woman feeding the street cats there. You just might be charmed enough to confuse strange and odd with compassionate and rare.

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