Tzuba, the Crusader Fortress

   Tzuba Fortress, also known as Belmont, was built in 1170 as a Crusader stronghold overlooking the road to Jerusalem. The fortress was occupied throughout history, and has not been restored, which is part of what makes this particular guard post unique.

   When you look around the fortress you can see the different time periods if you know what to look for. A guide can point out the different stone types and the thickness and the types of mortar; each one distinguishes the period of construction. 

To read more about Tzuba, check out the IsraelExperts official blog. 

~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line athttp://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.

People-watching at Mahane Yehuda

   The open-air market, Mahane Yehuda, is the best place to go on Friday afternoon to see all the faces of Jerusalem in one place. My husband and I go to buy our Shabbat vegetables, eat a shwarma, and watch the city move around us.

To read more about people-watching at Machane Yehuda, check out the IsraelExperts blog.

~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line athttp://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.

Israel on Valentine’s Day

   My husband and I celebrate the Israeli version of Valentine’s Day by going to the beach, having picnics and doing other “summer” activities. This is because the equivalent of Valentine’s Day in Israel falls on Tu’B’Av- usually around the middle of August.

   February 14^th is just like any other day of the year in Israel. There are not a lot of flowers bought. Red and white chocolate hearts do not show up in many stores. It leaves those of us who want a romantic Valentine’s Day looking for something special to do.

   This year Shmuel surprised me on Shabbat. When we first started dating, we used to take my laptop and sit 
down on the Tayelet and watch movies together, with Jerusalem in the background. 


To read more about the Tayelet, check out the IsraelExperts blog.


~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line athttp://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.

Skiing in the Hermon

  The cold wind blew across my face as I glanced over my shoulder to find Shmuel somewhere on the hill, cautiously coming down behind me. The snow slipped past as I skied in and out between the other skiers at top speed- a race to get to the bottom first.
   I am not in Aspen or Steamboat Springs Colorado. I am not in Vermont. I am skiing on Mount Hermon, the tallest peak in Israel, in the north of the country.

To read more about skiing in the Hermon, check out the IsraelExperts blog.

~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line at http://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.

Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph: Transforming a holy place

   During the month of Adar Aleph, the Torah portions discuss the creation of what will be the Temple through the spiritual items that are housed in it.

   We have not had the Temple for 2000 years now, and Jews have found other ways to transform the world of prayer into a celebration of a holy entity, through creative means of joyous commemoration in Israel and around the world. 

For a list of places to celebrate creatively in Israel, Check out the IsraelExperts Blog.

Asking questions at Masada: Does it symbolize Jewish heroism or cowardliness?

   Almost every Jewish tour group goes to Masada. Many get up at 4 am to trek up the snake path and see the sun rising over the Dead Sea at dawn. It used to be the site of the ceremony at which newly inducted Israeli soldiers swore allegiance to the State of Israel. Schoolchildren learn about it in class, and then travel to the site to see where history happened.

    Masada was not always known as the location of a heroic act.

To read more, check out the rest of the blog at blog.Israelexperts.com!

~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line at http://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.

Trekking through Israel: Motza Ilit

   Motza Ilit sits in the shadows of the Jerusalem hills and is home to the Beit Havraah Arza, the vacation retreat for some of the greatest figures of modern Israeli history. The "Camp David of Israel" gave leaders and their families - as well as many simpler workers - a chance to relax, breathe and organize their thoughts in this socialist-style simple hotel, then run as a rest home for the Histadrut labor union's members.

   Such men as David Ben Gurion and Moshe Dayan walked the paths of Arza and planted trees on the grounds.

To read more about Motza Ilit, check out the IsraelExperts Blog.

~~~~~~~~~~

IsraelExperts is a fully-licensed Israel tour operator; our head office is in Israel. Comprised of experienced Israel destination professionals, logistics experts, informal educators and accredited tour guides, IsraelExperts works with major organizations around the world in the field of Israel-Diaspora relations and Israel education, and offers you its ability to provide quality innovative programs. You can find us on line at http://www.israelexperts.com/ or contact us for more information.