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.

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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.

Photo history of snow in Jerusalem

   Jerusalem on average gets heavy snowfalls every 7 years. It is one of the most beautiful sites to see. The city stretches out, covered briefly with a thin layer of white. The streets are quiet, except for the laughter of children who are experiencing snow-- many for the first time.

Snow by the Dome of the Rock 2003



   The largest snow storm in Jerusalem in the century prior to the founding of the State of Israel was in 1920, according to the British Handbook of Palestine. It states that snow was not uncommon during the winters, though that is not the case today.

Children play in the snow in Jerusalem 1921.

   In 1967, a late snowfall covered the city, keeping all but 500 of the thousands of Christian pilgrims away from services at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Easter weekend. The full news story can be read here.

   The last snowfall in Jerusalem occurred in 2008. So far, no snow has fallen year.

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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.

Tu B’Shvat- Digging through ancient dirt to plant new roots at the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation

  

   When I was studying my first year in Israel, before I made aliya, we were required to volunteer once a week somewhere in Israel. I and a group of my friends chose to volunteer at the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation that sorted through the soil that had been removed from the Temple Mount during the excavations for Solomon's Stables.

   There was a lot of controversy over the method of dirt disposal and the process of the excavation as discussed in this article, http://www.echad.info/sifting/media/jpost14-4-05.html and a group got together and started sifting through the ruins to recover some of the artifacts that had been thrown out, including ancient coins, pieces of jewelry and many other items dating back thousands of years.

   On Tu B’Shvat, 2005 I had my most meaningful Israel Tu B’Shvat experience while volunteering.

   On the hill, over looking the Old City from just under the Hebrew University campus, where the dig was taking place at Emek Tzurim National Park, a man was planting olive trees. One of the dig volunteers went over and asked him if we could help.

   We spent that afternoon digging through dirt as we normally did, but this time it was not just to recover old artifacts. It was to plant new roots.

   While Tu B’Shvat celebrates the birthday of the trees that are planted throughout the entire year, there is something truly meaningful about being able to plant on Tu B’Shvat, looking over the city of Jerusalem, settling new roots into the ancient soil.

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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.

The Organic Botanical Gardens of Eilat

The Organic Botanical Gardens is a new, peaceful way to spend the morning of your Eilat vacation. Shmuel and I were down there last month and were thrilled to be able to walk through a lush green chemical-free rainforest in the middle of the desert.

The gardens just opened this past June, after 12 years of hard work.
We walked in through the main gates and the sand. A twisted tree greeted us and the guide informed us that this tree was one of only 3 trees there that predated the Organic Botanical Gardens.

Walking along the path, there was a cool breeze, and the trees whispered. I did not feel like I was in the middle of a desert, but instead, in the middle of a rainforest. The plants were labeled with hand made boards.
This site was an observation point for the Israeli Army during the 1973 war with Egypt. The plants surround the remains of the guard post.

In the rainforest we got a cooling mist as the sprinklers went on-- not enough to get us very wet, but enough to bring relief from the heat. We ended our visit in the cactus garden, before making our way down the steps and back to the main gate.

All furniture, gates and hand rails on the stairs were recycled from plants in the garden. We stopped and looked at the nursery before leaving, wishing we had room in our car for a plant to take home. This self sustaining, organic, desert botanical garden is truly an oasis of beauty in the middle of a sandy desert.

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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 www.israelexperts.com or contact us for more information.

See it in Israel

Now you can find out more about places in Israel through our interactive IsraelExperts Map.


View See it in Israel in a larger map

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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 www.israelexperts.com or contact us for more information.

Where was ancient Modiin, the home of the Macabees? A look at Midya and the Macabee graves

The tombs of the ancient Macabees are still a mystery today. The writings of Josephus describe them as pyramids from which the sea can be viewed, but the memorial site that is marked  in Modiin is questioned. Many historians believe instead that the ruins in the forest close by that have not been excavated may be the actual burial place. Hirbat Sher is another suspected place, where Hasmonean tombs have been discovered—some with ornate inscriptions.  This location was discovered in 1907 by a group of Jewish school children who were directed there by an Arab sheepherder who described the area as the tomb of the Jews. 

The Arab town of al Midya is also a possible location for the tombs. Excavations at er-Ras, a nearby hill, revealed a tomb with a view of the sea. This location was proposed as the original location of Modiin in 1866 by Father Emmanuel Forner, a French Franciscan monk,  for a few reasons. 

Firstly, the tomb found there matched the description of the tomb of the Macabees, as found in the writings of Josephus. The 19^th century excavation revealed seven triangular tombs with a view of the sea.

Secondly, some believe its location corresponds with the location of the ancient city of Modiin according to descriptions in the Mishnah. 

Since 1948, candles have been lit on Chanukah to commemorate this as a place connected to the great battle.

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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 www.israelexperts.com or contact us at education@israelexperts.com for more information.

Where was ancient Modiin, the home of the Macabees? A look at Titura Hill

Last time we looked at Um El Umdan; another possible location of the ancient Modiin is Titura Hill, an archeological site in the middle of modern Modiin. 

Remains have been found dating back to the 8^th century BCE, distinguishing this as a thriving city, not just a village like Um El Umdan (link to the Um El Umdan blog) is thought to be. The size of the city throughout history, along with the continuing habitation of the location, are some arguments presented by historians to establish this as the remains of ancient Modiin.

The story of the Macabees states that the tomb of the Macabees is built with a view of the sea.  Titura Hill also fulfills this requirement, as the sea can be seen from it on clear days.

The Hasmonean city was dismantled and the stones were used to build the crusader fortress, and other buildings which are there today.  Ruins can be visited from the Hasmonean period, through the Roman and Byzantine and Crusader periods and include wine presses and olive presses, water cisterns and caves used for hiding during the Bar Kokhba revolt. 

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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 www.israelexperts.com or contact us at education@israelexperts.com for more information.

Where was ancient Modiin, the home of the Macabees? A look at Um El Umdan

Where are the ruins of ancient Modiin? Historians have argued about it for years. Um El Umdan is one possibility. 

The ruins of what is assumed by many to be the home of the Macabees in ancient Modiin can still be seen peeking out of the south edge of modern Modiin, on the road from Latrun to Modiin. Shmuel and I made a special trip this week in honor of Chanukah.

The ruins of Um El Umdan date back to the Hasmonean period;  according to some sources Um El Umdan was the home of the Macabees, the leaders of the struggle against the Greeks and Greek culture in Eretz Israel, and the heroes of our Chanukah story.  

A few things to check out:

The ancient synagogue located there is actually the origin of the Arabic name for the ruins: Um El Umdan means “mother of the pillars,” which were the central focus of the beautiful structure. Although the pillars were looted, their placement is still apparent when pointed out. 

The foundations of the town also included a row of houses, a marketplace and a ritual bath. These have recently been covered up to protect them.

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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 www.israelexperts.com or contact us at education@israelexperts.com for more information.

Hiking the Burma Road and looking at the connections between the Diaspora, Israel and all of her people.

When Shmuel and I decided to do the Burma Road hike which is a 30 minute drive from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, we realized we had three choices – hike, jeep trek, or even a bus tour.  We decided to go on foot for part of it with a group, and tagged along quietly to see what there was to be seen.

We started at the Harel Outpost, the building that served as HQ for Palmach and Machal command for part of the war of Independence. The guide explained the message from David Ben Gurion, known as the "order of the day", given on the eve of the breaking of the siege of Jerusalem. The message: "Jerusalem at any Cost". Ben Gurion went on to order the troops to break through to Jerusalem with the understanding that it was inconceivable that the new State of Israel would be left without Jerusalem as its capital city.

Just north of the building, we walked over to a topographic model of Burma Road, overlooking the Latrun Tank Museum, the Latrun Monastery and the village of Neve Shalom. We could see the models of the young soldiers on the hill in the distance, marching through the wheat fields.  We took a closer look at the mosaic and dynamic of life, living and community in Israel. The Monastery, the army base and the Jewish / Muslim village of Neve Shalom, all situated on the same hillside area.

As we walked down the path on the Burma Road, we stopped to view the pictures of Machal volunteers and Palmach soldiers along the route and took a look at the faces of the young soldiers, many of whom were teens, just having arrived as survivors of the destruction of European Jewry, now taking on the role of defenders of Jerusalem. Young men and women in the pictures along the route, some of whom looked just like we in our group did.

We saw the orchards along the route. Olive groves, planted pine trees, apricots, etc. Suddenly, at the bottom of the hill as we continued east on the road, we came upon taller palm trees, with a dried up brook (nahal) in the middle. It was the site of the abandoned Arab village of Ein Sussin, one of hundreds of villages abandoned during the War of Independence (termed "Nakba" or catastrophe by Palestinians), where we discussed the issue of who these people were, what happened to their village, and the roots of the Palestinian refugee issue.

We finished with coffee on the fire and marshmallows while listening to Palmach stories. Our guide pulled out her guitar and we sang folk songs of early Israel. The theme was "Jerusalem at any Cost" and the centrality of Jerusalem (City of Peace) to the Jewish experience and the Jewish People. We discussed the issue of volunteers from abroad (Machal Unit in the IDF) who came to take part in the battle for sovereignty and independence in the Land of Israel.  The relationship between Jewish People in the Diaspora and Jews in Israel is one that is all about Jewish Peoplehood,  our national identity(s). This partnership between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora has been in place since the very beginning. 

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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 www.israelexperts.com or email us at info@israelexperts.com for more information.

Avdat: The desert sun with a Nabatean history

When I got out of the car at Avdat after driving through the desert region of Israel, I looked out and could only see the tan of the desert, and the sun beating off of it. The peacefulness which filled the air was relaxing, and I was thankful for the water bottle at my side as I stood under the hot sun.

The ruined town, which was destroyed in the 7th century by an earthquake, still can be seen when you first pass the guard tower, on your way to the main fortress. The ancient Nabatean fortress stands strong;  one might think the town would still be standing today if it weren't for the shifting land plates.

The cutout  camels and animals which mark the spice route can be seen throughout the desert as you follow the ancient path, but in Avdat, they are placed to welcome the visitor, to show where the animals drank, where the traders traded, and where the wine was stored in the cool homes, built into the hill to shelter the traveler, with its own ancient form of air conditioning.

On top of the hill, 100 square meters of the Roman Fortress can be seen, and the pottery house still has bits of ancient pottery scattered within the ruined walls.

While the colors are the same no matter where you look, the wall which surrounds the fortress and town helps someone find their way. The buildings situated outside of the town, however, are harder to find if you don't know where to look. The smell of the desert welcomes you.

Inside the main fortress, one can find many different buildings and wells. Don't forget to take in the view from the lookout, and see the buildings used for religious purposes, which have housed many different groups, including Christians and Muslims, and which still have alters and baptism pools in place.

My favorite part of the site was following the ancient water troughs through the ruined city, trying to find where they originated and ended. The precious resource was cherished, that much is clear from the setup, and the sun makes it clear how much it is still important today. 

When you travel, don't forget sunscreen, a hat and sun glasses- and most of all, water.

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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 www.israelexperts.com or email us at info@israelexperts.com for more information.