The fulfilment of a dream

1800 feet above the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret), overlooking fantastically beautiful scenery in three directions, stands Mitzpe t tayamim, a monument to the tenacity of one remarkable Israeli doctor, E. J. Jarus, now in his energetic 80s, outstanding in his capacity both as a man and as a compassionate homceo- pathic physician, temperamentally reminding me in many ways of the image of Dr. Albert Schweitzer.

Here, in the pure clean air, within easy reach of historic ttatzor, site of no less than 21 superimposed cities, of beautiful artistic Safed above, and pictur- esque Tiberias below, with Vered Hagalil, that unbelievably lovely riding guest farm between them, here Dr. Jarus and his small team of dedicated helpers, his delightful wife, his devoted secretary Ruth, his nurse Nina and an expert kitchen staff look after no more than 40 patients from many countries along naturopathic lacto-vegetarian lines, enhanced by homceopathic, acupuncture and radiaesthetic procedures familiar to those which have helped similar sufferers in Haturopathic clinics such as Tyringham, Enton Hall, Forest Mere, Grayshot and others in this country, in Humlegaarden in Denmark and in High l~ustenberg, Stellenbosch in South Africa.

The doctor, whose life ambition has been finally fulfilled in the establishment of this remarkable venture, supervises and controls everything and is personally familiar with each patient, and his word is law. He is a great believer in the management of the whole personality, and of the value of quietude and tran- quillity in the surroundings while under his regime. Consequently, there is an almost monastic sense of order and hush under his roof; a welcome contrast to the rush and bustle often associated with health establishments elsewhere, in which a large part of the patient's time and energy is dissipated and many frustrations can arise from the need to keep appointments in the ancillary fields of massage, hydrotherapy, manipulations, etc., all to the accompaniment of loud and often unintelligible tannoy messages.

Thus well-meant efforts to provide a large number of opportunities for main- raining patients' at tention often far outweigh their usefulness; whereas the therapeutic advantages of quietude and even boredom are overlooked in these places.

In the evenings the doctor may play gramophone records of classical music, but insists on bed and lights out at 9.30 p.m.!

Although television is available he does not encourage much viewing, and he forbids smoking or drinking alcohol anywhere on the premises.

Mitzpe Hayamim is run on an exceedingly punctual meal-time routine, and a delicious lacto-vegetarian diet is provided. The fruits and vegetables are very fresh and full of the sunsoaked Israeli taste.

Every patient's diet is considered and arranged individually according to his or her therapeutic needs. Some of the dairy products such as Rivion (a form of but ter milk) and the aubergine (egg plant) recipes are most taste-tickling.

Facilities are available for saunas in a capacious gymnasium and the grounds provide delightful opportunities for walking and climbing on the free-growing estate of bushes and freshly planted trees.

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The doctor has mapped out short staged walks for those patients he feels should have limited exercise.

On the flat roof one can sunbathe under strictly controlled conditions while enjoying unsurpassed views over the Jordanian hills.

The bedrooms are comfortable and clean with magnificent views and they all have pr iva te baths. The service is willing, personal and unobtrusive and the establishment is officially classed as a three-star hotel, though the inclusive price for accommodation and basic t rea tment is, not unnaturally, approximately double of an equivalent three-star ordinary hotel or kibbutz guest house.

All specific individual extra t reatments such as acupuncture and massage are charged additionally.

Some patients stay for many weeks, some for a fortnight, and there are arrangements for certain German patients who require this form of attention to be paid for by the German Government. In addition, Dr. Jarus welcomes the ordinary passer-by, be he tourist or Sabra, who may wish to spend a week-end or sample a meal of the delicious food and experience the peaceful atmosphere.

We met a number of very pleasant and interesting people from many lands, most of whom knew Dr. Jarus well and return repeatedly for more of his brand of healthy living and education. An interesting number of Israelis go to recuperate from their tensions at home.

The doctor himself has had a very varied and very tragic life, but displays a fantastic courage and will to survive all disasters, whether personal or otherwise, and his charming and vivacious wife is in no way behind him in these qualities. They provide a stimulating and humbling example and challenge to those who are sorry for themselves.

The doctor is a very active man despite his years, and drives himself the hundred miles to Tel Aviv weekly to see his many city patients. He also spends many hours in his garden planting and tending his beloved trees. He tells visitors exactly who planted which tree and we are proud and privileged to have helped him plant a Cupressus on this visit to Mitzpe Hayamim.

Dr. Jarus has done much by his persistence to put the naturopathie and homceopathie ways.of life on the map in Israel, and there are now two excellent homceopathic pharmacies in Tel Aviv who supply him with the necessary medicines which he used to have to prepare himself.

This change in public opinion towards wholeness in the diet and t reatment of the whole human being has developed rapidly over the last few years since our first visit to Israel in 1971, when Naturopa thy and Homceopathy were either unknown or dir ty words among my colleagues. Now they pay a considerablo degree of respect when these subjects are mentioned.

Dr. Jarus should, I feel, be given credit for this gratifying change of mood among a people living in a hot country whose existing life style (particularly the fantastic dairy breakfast) lends itself well to a move in this right direction for promoting and maintaining health.

D. 1~. LIVlXOSTOI~I