I forget what our guide told us was the real name for this residential area in Israel but it’s referred to by locals as “Texas” where all the “cowboys” live. Those cowboys be jews of all manner of faith. How to tell them apart? According to our guide ( who was doing his best impression of Topol in Fiddler on the Roof throughout the tour ) it’s by the hat they wear which is modeled after what their rabbis wore. For example, Russians wear a large hat because that was what their rabbi originally sported – no religious significance – just a preference that has been passed on as…you guessed it – tradition! If it’s a small hat, he’s a german jew; furry- a polish; etc.
