tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81205730191242372622024-03-14T06:46:42.427-07:00Mark and Marilyn Licensed Israeli Tour GuidesThis Blog is intended as a resource for those seeking an outstanding tour experience in Israel led by Mark Zober and his wife Marilyn Farber both licensed Israeli tour guides.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-61458948380304481772012-02-28T19:42:00.003-08:002012-02-28T19:42:37.639-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">MARILYN'S CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY </span></b></div>
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<b><u>DAY ONE Friday NOVEMBER 5 </u>– Arrival- <st1:city w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on">Cana</st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Pick up Group at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Sheikh</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Hussein</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Lunch – <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Naim</st1:placename></st1:place> @Sahara
Restaurant – Voucher </div>
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Foot of Givat Moreh - Miracle:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 7:11-17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>- Jesus brings back to life Widow’s son</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place> of the
Annunciation</div>
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Luke 1:26-38<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Matthew,
1:18-21, Luke 4:15-13 (<st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Precious</st1:placename>, just outside <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:place></st1:city>) –walk UP the path for best view. <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Mt
Precipice is reached by car following the signs of "Mt Precipice" on
the highway that bypasses <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:place></st1:city>
towards Jewish Nazereth Illit.</span></span></div>
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Cana Church MASS and Wedding Vows – fixed time</div>
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John 2:1-11 (First Miracle – water to wine),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 4:46 (Second Miracle – Cure of the
Nobleman’s son)</div>
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Overnight – <st1:placename w:st="on">Tiberias</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Royal</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype>
- <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">One
of the four Jewish holy cities (along with <st1:city w:st="on">Hebron</st1:city>,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city></st1:place> and
Safed – established in 19 CE).</span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u>DAY TWO Saturday November 6 </u>Sea of Galilee and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Tabor</st1:placename></st1:place><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Wake up calls/breakfast – Remind all of modest dress<u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Mount of Beatitudes</div>
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Matthew 5: 1-13 – can read all the way through chapter 7.</div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city>-Home Town of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jesus Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place> - from
Hebrew:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kefar (village) + Nachum (a name
of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prophet from the old testament). Josephus,
War<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3.519, Matt 4:12-17 (Jesus leaves
Nazareth and settles in Capernaum), Mark 1:29-31 (Cure of Simon’s mother-in-law)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 9:1-8 (Cure of the Paralyzed man),
Luke 4:31, Luke 4:23, Mark 2:1 (Matt 9:1), Mark 9:33, Matt 8:5, Luke 5: 12-16
(Cure of the Leper) Luke 7:1-10 (Cure of the centurion’s servant), John 4:46,
Matt 11:23, Luke 10:15, John 2:12, John 6: 17, 24, 59.</div>
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Tabgha-<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Matthew 14:13-21</span></span></div>
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Primacy of Peter- Jo<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">hn 2:1.</span></span></div>
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Boat Ride of <st1:place w:st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place>
– Daniel Carmel Boats </div>
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Matthew 8:23-27 (Calming of the Sea), Matthew 14:22-23
(Jesus walks on water)</div>
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Lunch - @Ein Gev </div>
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Yardenit – Optional Baptism $10 to rent robe and towel and
use changing room – NO Lockers…need to safe guard valuables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Matthew 3: 11-16</div>
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Mount Tabor – Church of the Transfiguration </div>
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Judges 4: 5-16 (Victory of Barak under order of Judge
Deborah, Mark 9:2-8 (Jesus transfiguration) , Luke 9:37-43 (Jesus cures
epileptic boy at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Daburiyah</st1:placename></st1:place> – large Arab
village south of Tabor)</div>
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Overnight Tiberias –Royal Plaza Hotel</div>
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<b><u>DAY THREE Sunday November 7 -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u></b><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city>
and <st1:place w:st="on">Dead Sea</st1:place></div>
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Wake up calls/breakfast – have guests prepare for swimming
at <st1:place w:st="on">Dead Sea</st1:place> – swim suits/towels/sun screen</div>
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Check out Tiberias – Royal Plaza Hotel</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city></st1:place>
– need to connect with Palestinian Guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Book of Joshua 6: 1-27 (<st1:city w:st="on">Battle</st1:city> of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jericho</st1:place></st1:city>)<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Luke 19:81-10,
story of Zacchaeus (name means pure) the short tax collector climbing the sycamore
tree to see Jesus pass.</span></span></div>
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Lunch – <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jericho</st1:place></st1:city>
@ Templation </div>
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Qumran – National Park pass, wonderful shopping,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>get voucher for swimming at Kalya (usually
only available if you have lunch at <st1:place w:st="on">Qumran</st1:place>.)</div>
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Kalya- Swimming in <st1:place w:st="on">Dead Sea</st1:place>
– Kalya? Need Voucher or agreement from <st1:place w:st="on">Qumran</st1:place>
– if not eating lunch at Kalya – check with Eli Shalom or Yinon Ben Hod.</div>
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Overnight <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>
– Dan Panorama</div>
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<b><u>DAY FOUR<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday
November 8 – <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><u>Wake Up Calls/Breakfast – Remind Guests of modest
clothes and good walking shoes with rubber grip soles- </u></b><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">skirt and a shawl for women</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">, no shorts for men.</span></span><b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><u>Drive up via <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Scopus</st1:placename></st1:place>
to….<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on">Mount of Olives</st1:place>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acts 1: 9-12, </div>
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Ascension Chapel – Mosque and Church – Ring doorbell,
entrance fee.</div>
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Luke 24:50-51 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pater Noster:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke 11:1-4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>named for the “Our Father” prayer taught to Jesus to his Disciples <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opening hours:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Monday-Saturday 8:30-11:45, 3-5; closed Sunday</div>
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Use observation point<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>just south of the stairs down to Dominus Flavit</div>
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Walk down Palm Sunday Road (<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Luke 19:37-40<span style="color: #4e4e4e;">)</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The road is very steep and narrow, so wear good walking shoes
with a good rubber grip.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">)</span></span></div>
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Dominus Flavit Luke 19:37-42, Chapel (Roman
Catholic/Franciscan) “The Lord Wept”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Architect of the <st1:place w:st="on">Holy Land</st1:place> Franciscan
Monk Antonio Barluzzi (1954)</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Garden</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Gethsemane</st1:placename></st1:place> <span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Matthew 26:36-46, Mark
14:32, </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Luke" title="Gospel of Luke"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Luke</span></a></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://bibref.hebtools.com/?book=%20Luke&verse=22:43%E2%80%9344&src=KJV"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">22:39-46</span></a>,
John 18:1-2</span></span></div>
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Church of all Nations<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Matthew 14:32-42</div>
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Lunch - Nafoura (Christian Quarter – go inside <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jaffa</st1:place></st1:city> Gate- take first
Left)</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> Peter In Gallicantu –
Voucher- Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:30 [<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Gallus cantat, meaning “at
the cock’s crow.”] </span></span></div>
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Room of the Last Supper:[Upper Room, <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Coenaculum</span></span>
or Coenacle]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark 14:15, Luke 22:12,
Acts 1:14 (Holy Spirit appears on Pentacost)</div>
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King David’s Tomb</div>
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Dormition Abbey</div>
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Communion at Garden Tomb (0<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";">2) 627-2745<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time must be booked and confirmed.
Hours:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to
noon and 14:00 to 17:30.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> </span></span></div>
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Overnight – Dan Panorama Hotel</div>
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<b><u>DAY FIVE Tuesday November 9 – <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b><u>Wake up Calls/Breakfast<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Start at Lion’s Gate:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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Walk Via Dolorosa</div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">St. Anne</st1:placename></st1:place> and Bethesda
Pool (<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">John 5:2-18- healing the paralyzed man)</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">)</span></span>: Hours:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mon-Sat
8am-noon and 2-5pm (until 6pm in summer); closed Sunday</div>
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End up at Holy Sepulchre </div>
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Meet bus at Mamila </div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bethlehem</st1:place></st1:city>
(Nisan Shop) Need to make connection</div>
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Lunch at Nisan in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bethlehem</st1:city></st1:place>
– MASS at Chapel of St. Jerome’s Cave (fixed time)</div>
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<b><u>Ein Kerem</u></b> -Church of St. John the Baptist (<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif";">Matthew 3:13-17; Mark
1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22 and Josephus -</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Herod has John imprisoned
for denouncing his marriage, and he is later executed</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 6.5pt;">.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit","serif";">) </span>and Church of the Visitation (Magnificat Luke 1: 46-55
– song sang by Mary when congratulated by <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Elizabeth</st1:city></st1:place>,
mother of John)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Overnight Dan Panorama</div>
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<b><u>DAY SIX Wednesday November 10<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Departure<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Check out Dan Panorama</div>
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Drive to Airport<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Appendix<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><u>Sheikh</u></b></st1:placename><b><u> <st1:placename w:st="on">Hussein</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></u></b></st1:place>
(Irbid-Beit Shean) -<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Hours of Operation of the Passenger Terminal:</span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Sunday
to Thursday: 06:30 – 21:00 Friday and Saturday: 08:00 – 20:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passengers come out from building on left of
parking lot – sliding door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bathrooms,
small snack bar and money charging service (reputedly bad rate of exchange.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #333333;">Church of the Annunciation</span></u></b><span style="color: #333333;">: The current church is a two-story building constructed
in 1969 over the site of an earlier Byzantine-era and then Crusader-era church.
Inside, the lower level contains the Grotto of the Annunciation, believed by
many Christians to be the remains of the original childhood home of Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first shrine was probably built sometime
in the middle of the 4th century, comprising an altar in the cave in which Mary
had lived. A larger structure was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I, who
had directed his mother, <st1:place w:st="on">Saint Helena</st1:place>, to found
churches commemorating important events in Jesus Christ's life. The Church of
the Annunciation was founded around the same time as the Church of the Nativity
(the birthplace) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the tomb). Some version
of it was known to have still been in existence around 570 AD, but it was
destroyed in the 7th century after the Muslim conquest of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Palestine</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><b><u>Capernaum</u></b></st1:city>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mathew 4:13, 18:22; Mark 1:21; - <st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city> was the center of Jesus activities in the <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place> and his town during that time. Jesus taught in
the local synagogue. It was also the home town of the apostles Peter, James,
Andrew and John, and the tax collector Matthew.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The town of <st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city>
stretched for two-thirds of a mile along the north shore of the <st1:place w:st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place>. Its harbor for fishing boats extended for
over half a mile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>
existed for more than a thousand years, from the second century B.C. until the
eleventh century A.D.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fishing was the town’s major industry. Many residents were
also engaged in such supporting enterprises as tying fishing nets and repairing
boats. In addition to fishing, agriculture thrived in the fertile basaltic soil
of the region.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city> was the major
center of trade and commerce in <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>. The
international trade route from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region>
through <st1:city w:st="on">Palestine</st1:city> to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region>
and Mesopotamia, passed near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>.
Located only three miles west of the eastern border ofGalilee at the <st1:place w:st="on">Jordan River</st1:place>, the town became a port of entry and customs
checkpoint. A collector of customs frompassing caravans, Matthew would also
collect fees for fish caught in the lake, levied by Herod Antipas who, in
effect, owned the lake.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roman military personnel were stationed at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place> under the command of a centurion.
Recent excavations indicate that a military garrison was quartered east of the
town. These mercenary troops enjoyed a complete bath installation and other
excellent facilities. This would have been the residence of the centurion who
built the synagogue in which Jesus taught (Matt 8:1-13; Luke 7:1-10). This
garrison served Harod Antipas, the governor of <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>,
under Roman authority.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historical and Biblical Significance</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being rejected in His hometown of <st1:city w:st="on">Nazareth</st1:city>,
Jesus moved with his mother and brothers to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>, making it the base of His ministry
(Matt 4:12-16).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A fourth century synagogue of white limestone stands in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>. The foundation
of this synagogue is constructed of black basaltic stone, probably dating to
the first century synagogue built by the Roman centurion who was stationed in
Capernaum (Luke 7:5). At the request of this centurion, and encouraged by the
synagogue elders, Jesus healed the centurion’s servant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Peter was born in <st1:city w:st="on">Bethsaida</st1:city>
(John 1:44), he lived in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>.
Apparently his move there was related to his marrying a woman of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place> (Mark 1:29-30).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city> forms the
southwestern corner of the "evangelical triangle" on the north side
of the <st1:place w:st="on">Sea of Galilee</st1:place>. It was in this region,
in <st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city>, Chorazin, and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Bethsaida</st1:city></st1:place>, that Jesus performed most of His
Galilean miracles. In spite of the miracles Jesus had performed there, Jesus
rebuked <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>
for its lack of repentance (Matt 11:23-24).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>,
Jesus healed the paralytic who had been lowered through the roof of the house
in which Jesus had been teaching (Mark 2:1-12).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Capernaum</st1:city></st1:place>
that the "Beelzebub confrontation" occurred, an event that changed
the focus of Jesus’ subsequent ministry.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Tabgha-</u></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Seven Springs”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- It is the
traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes
(Mark 6:30-46) and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24)
in Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Monk Bargil Pixner
of the Dormition Abbey helped build the current Church.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Primacy of Peter</u></b> – (Drive out of Tabgha, turn
right, park, go down steps on right)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, north of the Church of the Multiplication.
was built on rocks at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, traditionally considered
to be the place where Jesus appeared the fourth time after his resurrection
(John 21:1-24), during which, according to Catholic beliefs, Jesus again
conferred primacy to Simon Peter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Jericho </u></b>- Jericho is one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlement dating
back to 9000 BC – meaning of the name – RAECH (Fragrance- was major exporter of
BALSAM- noted among ancient writers—Theophrastus, Strabo, Pliny—for its
medicinal and highly agreeable aromatic qualities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
or YARECH (Lunar).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:city w:st="on">Jericho</st1:city> is located 258 metres (846 ft) below sea level in
an oasis in Wadi Qelt in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jordan</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nearby spring of Ein es-Sultan produces
1,000 gallons of water per minute (3.8 m3/min), irrigating some 2,500 acres (10
km2) through multiple channels and feeding into the Jordan River, 6 miles (10
km) away. Annual rainfall is 6.4 inches (160 mm), mostly concentrated between
November and February.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Olives</st1:placename></st1:place>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acts 1, 9-12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This passage identifies the Mt of Olives as the site of ascension:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"And when he had spoken these things, while they
beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while
they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by
them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of <st1:place w:st="on">Galilee</st1:place>,
why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you
into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Then returned they unto <st1:city w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:city> from the mount
called Olivet, which is from <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city>
a sabbath day's journey".</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-line-height-alt: 10.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><u>Chapel of the
Ascension</u></b>, The ruins of the chapel is located in the suburb of A-Tur,
on the east side of the main road of the top of <st1:place w:st="on">Mount of
Olives</st1:place>, at 830M above sea level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is easily accessible, and you can park close to its entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near the Ascension chapel is the Russian
Orthodox Church of the Ascension, which is another traditional site of the
ascension. It is located near a tall tower inside the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">A-Tur.The</st1:placename></st1:place>
building blends the architectural features of the Crusader style with traits
belonging to the Muslim tradition. The chapel rises on the site of an ancient
paleo-Christian sanctuary, near the top of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.atlastours.net/holyland/mount_of_olives_and_church_of_the_tomb_of_the_virgin.html"><span style="color: windowtext;">Mount of Olives</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The original building was surrounded by a
double portico forming a circle. Destroyed by the Persians in the 614, it was
rebuilt by the Crusaders in the form of a small, octagonal temple (twelfth
century).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having come under the control
of Muslims, to whom it has belonged since the thirteenth century, the building
was converted into a mosque and completely transformed by walling in the arches
and roofing over the octagon with a little dome of evident Islamic character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">On a rock inside
can be seen a footprint which is identified according to Christian tradition as
the print that Jesus (pbuh) left as he ascended to Heaven: "And he led
them out as far as to</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.atlastours.net/holyland/bethany.html"><span style="color: windowtext;">Bethany</span></a>, and he lifted up his hands, and
blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from
them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke, 24: 50-51).</span><span style="color: #000035;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-75066028581700668822011-10-22T05:29:00.001-07:002011-10-22T05:33:20.794-07:00Walls great and small: A Walk in East Jerusalem<br />
By AVIVA BAR-AM<br />
<br />
10/21/2011 17:40<br />
<br />
This week’s walk features an elegant 19th-century villa, a striking cathedral, three monuments, a world-renowned pottery workshop and a famous tomb.<br />
<br />
During King Herod’s reign (37 BCE to 4 CE) and for decades afterwards, Jerusalem expanded greatly to the north. This left the new neighborhoods unprotected, and in 41 CE, soon after becoming king, Herod’s grandson Agrippa began building a wall that would incorporate them into the city. The design called for such a massive structure that after examining the foundations, Agrippa began to worry. What if Roman Emperor Claudius got a look at the wall and thought Agrippa was planning a revolt? Construction on the wall came to a screeching halt just about the time that Agrippa experienced a sudden demise.<br />
<br />
If Agrippa had completed the wall, could it really have held off the Romans? Decide for yourself on this week’s Street Stroll, which also features an elegant 19th-century villa, a striking cathedral, three monuments, a world-renowned pottery workshop and a famous tomb. If you like, you can end your jaunt at my favorite humous joint in Sheikh Jarrah.<br />
<br />
Begin next to the Sa’id and Sa’ad Mosque at the corner of Naomi Kis Street and Nablus Road and cross Naomi Kis over to the yellow (not the green-and-white!) gas station. What remains of Agrippa’s wall is found in front of the station, shaded by olive trees. Josephus called this the Third Wall, and that is how it is known today. Two other walls surrounded other parts of the city at the time – the Old Wall and the Middle Wall.<br />
<br />
During the Great Revolt (66-70 CE), Jewish defenders of Jerusalem did their best to finish the wall. Unfortunately, it was not sturdy enough to hold off Roman battering rams.<br />
<br />
As you cross the narrow adjacent street to Nablus Road on the other side, you pass a plaza hugging the guard booth of the nowdefunct American consulate. The plaza has a monument to the 25 paratroopers of the 28th Battalion who were killed in action along Nablus Road during the Six Day War.<br />
<br />
A second memorial wall stands on the opposite side of the plaza. Who would have thought, in those heady days when this monument was erected, that there would be the need for a second, newer wall inscribed with the names of soldiers from the battalion who have fallen in Israel’s wars since 1967? Now head for No. 14 Nablus Road, across from the empty consulate, and ring the bell outside the Palestinian Pottery. This amazing enterprise belongs to the Balians, descendants of master potter Neshan Balian. The Balian and Karkashian families were brought to Jerusalem in 1917 from Kutahya, Turkey, to renovate the ceramic tiles at the Dome of the Rock. Five years later they established the first Armenian Pottery in Jerusalem. The two families parted ways some decades later, with the Balians remaining on Nablus Road.<br />
<br />
You won’t find the Balians’ fabulous designs and handiwork in the Old City marketplace; their creations are sold only at this shop (and on their website, http://armenianceramics.com).<br />
<br />
Sitting at the table in the store is Marie Balian, a renowned ceramic tile artist whose works have been exhibited all over the world – from the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. She is currently preparing an exhibit for an institute in Paris.<br />
<br />
WHEN YOU leave, turn right to continue north on Nablus Road.<br />
<br />
On your left, the east Jerusalem YMCA now includes the elegant Legacy Hotel. Past the British Council and the Nazarene Church, you come to a villa at No. 35. A prayer center is housed in this historic building, constructed in 1890 in what was an early Arab neighborhood outside the walls of the Old City.<br />
<br />
The house was sold to a couple from the American Colony in 1904. In 1930, when Swedish consul Lewis Larsson moved in with his family, it became the Swedish Consulate. In May 1947, UNSCOP (United Nations Special Commission on Palestine) came to Jerusalem, and since Sweden was one of the countries on the commission, several meetings were held at this villa.<br />
<br />
In In 1969 the Baptist Convention in Israel purchased the building and operated it as a center for Christian students. On the top floor, scholars translated the New Testament from Greek into modern Hebrew. The old building was renovated in 2008, and the second story now features an unusual, interactive prayer room.<br />
<br />
Cross the street and walk a few dozen meters to one of Jerusalem’s most distinctive landmarks: St. George’s Cathedral, dating back to 1898. The center for the Anglican Church in the Middle East, this classic neo-Gothic edifice and the extraordinarily impressive buildings in the cathedral enclosure would fit easily into a traditional English countryside.<br />
<br />
A lone Byzantine pillar stands in the center of a courtyard dominated by vaulted arcades. The column is capped with a cannonball and surmounted by a cross, representing the victory of Christianity over war. Positioned around the courtyard are the bishop’s residence, a delightful guest house, the cathedral and a splendid tower that was completed in 1910. The latter was named for King Edward VII, a genial patron of the arts who died that same year.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, the 33-meter-high square tower with its four pointed turrets was purposely not attached to the church. It was planned that way by the architect, who feared the consequences of interdependence should there be an earthquake. The tower’s three bells are sounded for the daily Angelus (a historic call to prayer), as well as on solemn occasions.<br />
<br />
A combination of massive stone walls, arches and the warm, dark woodwork in the ceiling and the pulpit contribute to the cathedral’s uplifting ambience. An Austrian organ is housed in a beautifully carved wooden structure at the rear of the church. Anglican congregations from Iraq and the Gulf states contributed a new pulpit to replace the original Irish stand destroyed by a mortar shell during Israel’s War of Independence.<br />
<br />
One wall of the church holds the British royal coat of arms which, until 1948, hung in the seat of the British high commissioner at Government House.<br />
<br />
When the British Mandate ended in 1948, the coat of arms was deposited here, in the last bastion of English domination over mandatory Palestine.<br />
<br />
When you leave, turn right. Cross at the corner and continue left on Nablus Road to the American Colony Hotel. You are about to explore one of the first houses outside the Old City walls, dating back to the mid-1860s.<br />
<br />
The rich effendi who built this palatial residence fitted it with beautifully decorated chambers for himself and for each of his four wives. At first completely isolated in the wastelands, the dwelling was eventually incorporated into the aristocratic neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah that grew up around it. A splendid inner courtyard – today an exclusive restaurant – provided privacy for the villa’s inhabitants and a measure of protection from outside attack.<br />
<br />
When the effendi died, he left no male heir to take over the historic villa. It stood empty for decades, until it was rented to a communal group of Protestants originally from Chicago. Commonly known as the American Colony, the group was led by Anna and Horatio Spafford, a couple that had experienced great personal tragedy.<br />
<br />
Before they came to Jerusalem, the Spaffords lived in a beautiful home in Chicago. In 1873 Anna and the four Spafford daughters left on a trip to Europe, but their ship collided with another vessel. The four girls perished, but Anna was saved. More children were born to the Spaffords after this catastrophe, but one of them died of disease. The family moved to the Holy City hoping to find respite from their sorrows.<br />
<br />
The pioneer group reached the Holy Land in 1881 and moved into lodgings within the Old City walls.<br />
<br />
But when dozens of Swedes joined the colony in 1896, the living quarters became far too crowded for comfort. That’s when the American Colony relocated to the late effendi’s splendid villa outside the walls.<br />
<br />
At first it had been quite a struggle to find financing for the colony’s modest daily requirements, as well as for the help the group proffered to needy Jerusalemites. Once joined by Swedish farmers, blacksmiths and expert craftsmen, however, the colony became solvent and even began to prosper. With a new bakery, blacksmith shop, dairy and a photography business, it was almost completely self-sufficient.<br />
<br />
And eventually new vistas opened up.<br />
<br />
The colony began taking in paying guests at the beginning of the 20th century, doubling up to make room for out-of-town visitors. Little by little, the American Colony Hotel became famous for its combination of European and Middle Eastern hospitality and ambience.<br />
<br />
Note the beautiful original stone floors as you enjoy unique and touching exhibits. Then take stairs to a second story that features an open sitting room from which you can gaze up at the exquisite painted wooden ceiling.<br />
<br />
BACK ON the road, turn right and continue down the street. There is a gas station on your left and construction on your right. Stop across from the Al-Kana’a Grocery, just before the turn for the Tomb of Shimon Hatzadik, and climb a few steps to a second monument from the Six Day War. This one is dedicated to 11 soldiers from the 71st Battalion who fought and died in Sheikh Jarrah and on the ridges of Mount Scopus in the battle for Jerusalem. In 1985, a new wall was added, inscribed with the names of soldiers from the battalion who fell in later years.<br />
<br />
During King Herod’s reign (37 BCE to 4 CE) and for decades afterwards, Jerusalem expanded greatly to the north. This left the new neighborhoods unprotected, and in 41 CE, soon after becoming king, Herod’s grandson Agrippa began building a wall that would incorporate them into the city. The design called for such a massive structure that after examining the foundations, Agrippa began to worry. What if Roman Emperor Claudius got a look at the wall and thought Agrippa was planning a revolt? Construction on the wall came to a screeching halt just about the time that Agrippa experienced a sudden demise.<br />
<br />
If Agrippa had completed the wall, could it really have held off the Romans? Decide for yourself on this week’s Street Stroll, which also features an elegant 19th-century villa, a striking cathedral, three monuments, a world-renowned pottery workshop and a famous tomb. If you like, you can end your jaunt at my favorite humous joint in Sheikh Jarrah.<br />
<br />
Begin next to the Sa’id and Sa’ad Mosque at the corner of Naomi Kis Street and Nablus Road and cross Naomi Kis over to the yellow (not the green-and-white!) gas station. What remains of Agrippa’s wall is found in front of the station, shaded by olive trees. Josephus called this the Third Wall, and that is how it is known today. Two other walls surrounded other parts of the city at the time – the Old Wall and the Middle Wall.<br />
<br />
During the Great Revolt (66-70 CE), Jewish defenders of Jerusalem did their best to finish the wall. Unfortunately, it was not sturdy enough to hold off Roman battering rams.<br />
<br />
As you cross the narrow adjacent street to Nablus Road on the other side, you pass a plaza hugging the guard booth of the nowdefunct American consulate. The plaza has a monument to the 25 paratroopers of the 28th Battalion who were killed in action along Nablus Road during the Six Day War.<br />
<br />
A second memorial wall stands on the opposite side of the plaza. Who would have thought, in those heady days when this monument was erected, that there would be the need for a second, newer wall inscribed with the names of soldiers from the battalion who have fallen in Israel’s wars since 1967? Now head for No. 14 Nablus Road, across from the empty consulate, and ring the bell outside the Palestinian Pottery. This amazing enterprise belongs to the Balians, descendants of master potter Neshan Balian. The Balian and Karkashian families were brought to Jerusalem in 1917 from Kutahya, Turkey, to renovate the ceramic tiles at the Dome of the Rock. Five years later they established the first Armenian Pottery in Jerusalem. The two families parted ways some decades later, with the Balians remaining on Nablus Road.<br />
<br />
You won’t find the Balians’ fabulous designs and handiwork in the Old City marketplace; their creations are sold only at this shop (and on their website, http://armenianceramics.com).<br />
<br />
Sitting at the table in the store is Marie Balian, a renowned ceramic tile artist whose works have been exhibited all over the world – from the Eretz Israel Museum in Tel Aviv to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. She is currently preparing an exhibit for an institute in Paris.<br />
<br />
WHEN YOU leave, turn right to continue north on Nablus Road.<br />
<br />
On your left, the east Jerusalem YMCA now includes the elegant Legacy Hotel. Past the British Council and the Nazarene Church, you come to a villa at No. 35. A prayer center is housed in this historic building, constructed in 1890 in what was an early Arab neighborhood outside the walls of the Old City.<br />
<br />
The house was sold to a couple from the American Colony in 1904. In 1930, when Swedish consul Lewis Larsson moved in with his family, it became the Swedish Consulate. In May 1947, UNSCOP (United Nations Special Commission on Palestine) came to Jerusalem, and since Sweden was one of the countries on the commission, several meetings were held at this villa.<br />
<br />
In 1969 the Baptist Convention in Israel purchased the building and operated it as a center for Christian students. On the top floor, scholars translated the New Testament from Greek into modern Hebrew. The old building was renovated in 2008, and the second story now features an unusual, interactive prayer room.<br />
<br />
Cross the street and walk a few dozen meters to one of Jerusalem’s most distinctive landmarks: St. George’s Cathedral, dating back to 1898. The center for the Anglican Church in the Middle East, this classic neo-Gothic edifice and the extraordinarily impressive buildings in the cathedral enclosure would fit easily into a traditional English countryside.<br />
<br />
A lone Byzantine pillar stands in the center of a courtyard dominated by vaulted arcades. The column is capped with a cannonball and surmounted by a cross, representing the victory of Christianity over war. Positioned around the courtyard are the bishop’s residence, a delightful guest house, the cathedral and a splendid tower that was completed in 1910. The latter was named for King Edward VII, a genial patron of the arts who died that same year.<br />
<br />
Interestingly, the 33-meter-high square tower with its four pointed turrets was purposely not attached to the church. It was planned that way by the architect, who feared the consequences of interdependence should there be an earthquake. The tower’s three bells are sounded for the daily Angelus (a historic call to prayer), as well as on solemn occasions.<br />
<br />
A combination of massive stone walls, arches and the warm, dark woodwork in the ceiling and the pulpit contribute to the cathedral’s uplifting ambience. An Austrian organ is housed in a beautifully carved wooden structure at the rear of the church. Anglican congregations from Iraq and the Gulf states contributed a new pulpit to replace the original Irish stand destroyed by a mortar shell during Israel’s War of Independence.<br />
<br />
One wall of the church holds the British royal coat of arms which, until 1948, hung in the seat of the British high commissioner at Government House.<br />
<br />
When the British Mandate ended in 1948, the coat of arms was deposited here, in the last bastion of English domination over mandatory Palestine.<br />
<br />
When you leave, turn right. Cross at the corner and continue left on Nablus Road to the American Colony Hotel. You are about to explore one of the first houses outside the Old City walls, dating back to the mid-1860s.<br />
<br />
The rich effendi who built this palatial residence fitted it with beautifully decorated chambers for himself and for each of his four wives. At first completely isolated in the wastelands, the dwelling was eventually incorporated into the aristocratic neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah that grew up around it. A splendid inner courtyard – today an exclusive restaurant – provided privacy for the villa’s inhabitants and a measure of protection from outside attack.<br />
<br />
When the effendi died, he left no male heir to take over the historic villa. It stood empty for decades, until it was rented to a communal group of Protestants originally from Chicago. Commonly known as the American Colony, the group was led by Anna and Horatio Spafford, a couple that had experienced great personal tragedy.<br />
<br />
Before they came to Jerusalem, the Spaffords lived in a beautiful home in Chicago. In 1873 Anna and the four Spafford daughters left on a trip to Europe, but their ship collided with another vessel. The four girls perished, but Anna was saved. More children were born to the Spaffords after this catastrophe, but one of them died of disease. The family moved to the Holy City hoping to find respite from their sorrows.<br />
<br />
The pioneer group reached the Holy Land in 1881 and moved into lodgings within the Old City walls.<br />
<br />
But when dozens of Swedes joined the colony in 1896, the living quarters became far too crowded for comfort. That’s when the American Colony relocated to the late effendi’s splendid villa outside the walls.<br />
<br />
At first it had been quite a struggle to find financing for the colony’s modest daily requirements, as well as for the help the group proffered to needy Jerusalemites. Once joined by Swedish farmers, blacksmiths and expert craftsmen, however, the colony became solvent and even began to prosper. With a new bakery, blacksmith shop, dairy and a photography business, it was almost completely self-sufficient.<br />
<br />
And eventually new vistas opened up.<br />
<br />
The colony began taking in paying guests at the beginning of the 20th century, doubling up to make room for out-of-town visitors. Little by little, the American Colony Hotel became famous for its combination of European and Middle Eastern hospitality and ambience.<br />
<br />
Note the beautiful original stone floors as you enjoy unique and touching exhibits. Then take stairs to a second story that features an open sitting room from which you can gaze up at the exquisite painted wooden ceiling.<br />
<br />
BACK ON the road, turn right and continue down the street. There is a gas station on your left and construction on your right. Stop across from the Al-Kana’a Grocery, just before the turn for the Tomb of Shimon Hatzadik, and climb a few steps to a second monument from the Six Day War. This one is dedicated to 11 soldiers from the 71st Battalion who fought and died in Sheikh Jarrah and on the ridges of Mount Scopus in the battle for Jerusalem. In 1985, a new wall was added, inscribed with the names of soldiers from the battalion who fell in later years.<br />
<br />
<br />
Your last point of interest is the traditional burial site of Shimon Hatzadik, a Jewish high priest during the time of the Second Temple. Many are the stories and legends around Shimon Hatzadik, but he is most famous for his maxim that the world stands on three things: Torah, divine worship and acts of loving kindness (Pirkei Avot 1:2).<br />
<br />
To visit this unprepossessing tomb, turn at the sign, take the left fork and turn left into the parking lot.<br />
<br />
End your tour, if you like, with humous, pita and chopped salad. Return to Nablus Road, turn right, cross the intersection and continue straight ahead up a short hill next to the Automatic Grocery. Stop at the tiny eatery on your right.<br />
<br />
Then begin the long trek back to where you started.<br />Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-36941621735456749212011-10-20T02:54:00.000-07:002011-10-20T15:48:17.286-07:00Azamara Quest and Prinsendam passengers: Special Offer - Tour of Dead Sea and Jerusalem************************************* LAND EXCURSION SPECIAL OCTOBER 30 AND 31 AZAMARA QUEST AND PRINSENDAM ************************************************<br />
<br />
Dear Passengers on the Azamara Quest and Prinsendam mooring in Ashdod on Sunday October 30, Marilyn and I are pleased and honored to offer a private tour for two to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem for only $450 USD. You will be picked up at the Ashdod Port at @8:15 AM and we will drive you directly to Masada along the Dead Sea coast. After touring Masada we will customize the rest of your journey based on your particular interests. We suggest a dip in the Dead Sea on the way back to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, you will have a customized tour of the Old City based on your wishes. We do recommend starting with at the Mt. of Olives, then walk down the Pilgrimage Path into the Old City via one of the 7 functioning ages. We recommend you sleep overnight in Jerusalem- yes we will show you the sights at night as well. We can get you special rates. Then the next day we can either return you to the port at Ashdod or go up to Haifa port with a tour of northern Israel along the way. A sample testimonial: Ashdod; the gateway for visiting Jerusalem, what more can be said. Wanting to see the Holy City and simultaneously do some other unique activities I opted for a private excursion with Mark Zober (markztours@gmail.com). I will highly recommend this option as there is so little time and so much to see to include making your way through the thousands of tourists and crowded streets. It is the only way to see Jerusalem unless you have at least a week to spare. I highly recommend Mark to anyone wanting to see Jerusalem - he is very well educated, very reasonable, and is flexible and organized. Mark will customize any excursion to your needs. Besides the four main Jerusalem quarters, I asked Mark to have us do the City of David to include all the three underground tunnels. These tunnels were just recently discovered it was a great experience but be ready for some heavy duty walking. I limited my group to a total of only 10 people; maneuver the throngs of tourists staying small is wise. Jerusalem is an amazing city filled with so much history that one day is not enough; however Mark packed in as much as humanly possible for one day. Come join Marilyn and I on a thrilling tour. First come first serve. Cordially, Mark Mark Alan Zober, Ph.D. Licensed Israel Tour Guide Past President, Jerusalem Rotary Club (District 2490) 465/5 Eliezer Kashani Street East Talpiot Jerusalem ISRAEL 972-2-673-3882 972-54-590-0223 Home/Office Jerusalem 972-8-684-3401 Home/Office Ashkelon BLOG http://tourguides0607.blogspot.com/ SKYPEID mzoberRotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-62954803198659313232011-10-17T12:07:00.000-07:002011-10-17T12:07:24.524-07:00Crusader who signed Magna Carta Buried at Entrance to Holy SepulchreJerusalem Curiosities
Abraham Ezra Millgram 1990
The Burial Place of one of the signers of the Magna Carta
One of the surprising curiosities of Jerusalem is the tombstone at the entrance to the Holy Sepulchre which marks the burial place of Sir Philip D’Aubigny, one of the signers of the Magna Carta. He came to the Holy Land as a crusaderin 1222 and died in 1236.
There is no record of the 14 years of his residence in Jerusalem except the slab between the entrances to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Reverend J. E. Hanauer researched this historic monument and describes it in his book Walks in and Around Jerusalem:
Stretched in from of the clusters of columns, between the two great portals of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is a marble slab, bearing the epitaph of Philip D’Aubeny, and a Norman shield with his amorial bearings. In 1887, by reference to several ancient records, Tutor Henry III of Winchester, who, crowned when only a child of 8 years of age, was entrusted to his care during the protectorship of the able Earl of Pembroke. Before the accession of Henry III, however, and during the reign of King John, we find the name Sir Philip D’Aubeny amongst the barons who signed the Magna Carta. Sir Philip left England for the holy wars in Palestine in 1222. He resided in the country for 14 years and died in 1236.
The identity of the personage buried here has been uncontestably proved by the amorial bearings, as well as by historical records, with the family D’Aubeny, still existing in England, the chief seat of which appears to have been the manor of South Petherton, Somersetshire.
Philip I requested to be buried inside the Holy Sepulchre but his wish was not granted. He was fortunate. While Kings of the Kingdom of Jerusalem Geoffrey and Baldwin I were buried inside, their tomb raided and remains removed.
In November 22 1977 an article in the Jerusalem Post by Judy Siegel “Family Reunion in Jerusalem After 770 Years.”
An Englishwomen was reunited over the weekend with her 13th century Crusader forebearer at the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, through the assistance of Mayor Teddy Kollek.
Alisa Rushbrook had written to the mayor that one of her ancestors was Philip D’Aubigny, who took part in the Crusaders’ exploits in the Holy Land some 700 years ago. This fact, she wrote, was authenticated in 1925 by Sir Reginald Storrs, the military governor of Jerusalem, in an article he wrote for “The Times” of London. Archaeological excavations at the time uncovered Philip’s bones and tablets describing the family tree in the church, where, according to most Christian traditions, Jesus was buried.
The Englishwoman had been to Jerusalem several times before an attempt to uncover the tablets in the grave and take photographs, but she had never been successful. Clergy of three of the sects in charge of the Church- Greek Orthodox, Catholic and Armenian- had been involved in a disagreement and would not grant to approval to uncover the rubble.
The mayor, who has an excellent relationship with the leaders of the various churches, proceeded to mediate among the clergymen, and Mrs. Rushbrook was invited to the church. Arriving with her husband, she found the tablets and took pictures to record the Latin script.
The tomb of Sir Philip in front of the double entrance to the Holy Sepulchre is now covered with well worn planks to protect it from vandalism and from further deterioration due to the incessant footsteps of throngs of visitors to the church.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-90006427586988158882011-10-15T21:52:00.001-07:002011-10-15T21:54:20.861-07:00Dining in Jerusalem: Recommendations by Restaurateurs from BarcelonaThese two restaurants are highly recommended for serious diners in Jerusalem. We learned of these from one of our guests "Amy Artal Patnaik" <amy@gladman.com>, who is a restaurateur in Barcelona
Chakra
41 King George St. 02-6252733
Recently relocated and redesigned, this place is both a popular restaurant and one of the busiest night spots in Jerusalem.
MahaneYuda
Beit Ya'akov 10, Mahane Yehuda Market 02-5333442 The décor and the food is funky, idiosyncratic but soulful, though sometimes the three chef owners sharing the open kitchen get a little carried away by their own coolness. Still overall experience is fabulous. Currently the hottest restaurant in Jerusalem, so book well ahead.
#####################################
Now for our Barcelona recommendation:
Cinc Sentiits
Recommended for:Foodies, Special occasions
Best for Gourmets -Expert review of Cinc Sentits
Last updated 31 January 2011
Elegant Michelin-starred restaurant with a deep respect for the ways of the Catalan kitchen.
Brother and sister Jordi (chef) and Amy Artal (maître d’) run this small, well-respected shrine to modern Catalan cuisine, which finally earned a much-deserved Michelin star in 2009.
Food and drink:
There is no a la carte, just two tasting menus – the six-course Essència or the eight-course Sensacions. To start they will bring you the house ‘chupito’ – a shot glass layered with rock salt, maple syrup (a nod to their Canadian roots), cream and cava sabayon, and then a parade of creative dishes that might include crisp coca bread with caramelised leeks and foie gras; red mullet with basil risotto, or suckling pig with ‘two textures’ of apple.
Ambience:
The dining room is hushed and minimalist – this is not the place for a rowdy party.
Service:
Amy and her multilingual team are knowledgeable and charming, and will steer you through the range of options and a good wine list.
Location:
Cinc Sentits is on C/Aribau, just up from the intersection with C/Aragó.
Price advice:
The Essència menu is 50 euros, while the Sensacions menu is 69 euros.
More information on Cinc Sentits:
Price guide:ExpensiveType:RestaurantFood:CatalanAddress:C/Aribau 58, Barcelona, 08011Telephone:93 323 94 90Website:http://www.cincsentits.comServes:Lunch, DinnerOpening times:Tue-Sat 1.30-3pm, 8.30-10.30pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays and two weeks in August.Accepts Credit Cards:YesReservations:Essential at peak times
Have you been to Cinc Sentits? Would youRotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-49491288146910115222011-10-06T00:25:00.000-07:002011-10-06T00:30:32.101-07:00FACTS ABOUT ISRAEL - SOURCE: CIA WORLD FACTBOOKFACTS ABOUT ISRAEL - SOURCE: CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
Background:
Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia - the "Quartet" - took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006 and presided over a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006 and a 23-day conflict with HAMAS in the Gaza Strip during December 2008 and January 2009. OLMERT, who in June 2007 resumed talks with PA President Mahmoud ABBAS, resigned in September 2008. Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU formed a coalition in March 2009 following a February 2009 general election. Direct talks launched in September 2010 collapsed following the expiration of Israel's 10-month partial settlement construction moratorium in the West Bank. Diplomatic initiatives to revive the negotiations through proximity talks began at the end of 2010.
Geography ::ISRAEL
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Geographic coordinates:
31 30 N, 34 45 E
Map references:
Middle East
<b>Area:
total: 20,770 sq km
country comparison to the world: 154</b>
land: 20,330 sq km
water: 440 sq km
Area - comparative:
<b>slightly larger than New Jersey</b>
Land boundaries:
total: 1,017 km
border countries: Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km
Coastline:
273 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
Terrain:
Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point: Har Meron 1,208 m
Natural resources:
timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand
Land use:
arable land: 15.45%
permanent crops: 3.88%
other: 80.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,250 sq km (2008)
Total renewable water resources:
1.7 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%)
per capita: 305 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
limited arable land and natural freshwater resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; there are about 355 Israeli civilian sites including about 145 small outpost communities in the West Bank, 41 sites in the Golan Heights, and 32 in East Jerusalem (2010 est.)
People and Society ::ISRAEL
Nationality:
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective: Israeli
Ethnic groups:
Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004)
Religions:
Jewish 75.6%, Muslim 16.9%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.7%, other 3.8% (2008 census)
Languages:
Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)
Population:
7,473,052 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
note: approximately 296,700 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2009 est.); approximately 19,100 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2008 est.); approximately 192,800 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 27.6% (male 1,057,113/female 1,008,978)
15-64 years: 62.2% (male 2,358,858/female 2,292,281)
65 years and over: 10.1% (male 331,034/female 424,788) (2011 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.4 years
male: 28.7 years
female: 30.1 years (2011 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.584% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Birth rate:
19.24 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Death rate:
5.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Net migration rate:
2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Urbanization:
urban population: 92% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population:
Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.219 million; Haifa 1.027 million; JERUSALEM (capital) 768,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 200
male: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.96 years
country comparison to the world: 17
male: 78.79 years
female: 83.24 years (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.7 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Health expenditures:
9.5% of GDP (2009)
Physicians density:
3.633 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Hospital bed density:
5.83 beds/1,000 population (2007)
Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
22.9% (2001)
Education expenditures:
5.9% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 30
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.1%
male: 98.5%
female: 95.9% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Government ::ISRAEL
Country name:
conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form: Israel
local long form: Medinat Yisra'el
local short form: Yisra'el
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Jerusalem
geographic coordinates: 31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv
Administrative divisions:
6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv
Independence:
14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May
Constitution:
no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution
Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member who he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task
election results: Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)
Legislative branch:
unicameral Knesset (120 seats; political parties are elected by popular vote and assigned seats for members on a proportional basis; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party (preliminary) - Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi 22.3%, YB 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%, United Arab List 3.5%, Hadash 3.4%, National Union 3.4%, New Movement-Meretz 3%, The Jewish Home 3%, Balad 2.6%; percent of vote by party (final) - Kadima 22.5%, Likud-Ahi 21.6%, YB 11.7%, Labor 9.9%, SHAS 8.5%, United Torah Judaism 4.4%, United Arab List 3.4%, Hadash 3.3%, National Union 3.3%, New Movement-Meretz 3%, The Jewish Home 2.9%, Balad 2.6%; seats by party - Kadima 28, Likud-Ahi 27, YB 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 4, National Union 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, New Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70)
Political parties and leaders:
Balad [Jamal ZAHALKA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Independence [Ehud BARAK]; Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; Labor Party [Eitan CABEL]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union [Yaakov KATZ]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel HERSCHKOWITZ]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; Breaking the Silence [Yehuda SHAUL, Executive Director] collects testimonies from soldiers who served in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
International organization participation:
BIS, BSEC (observer), CERN (observer), CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael B.OREN
chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO
embassy: 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903
telephone: [972] (3) 519-7575
FAX: [972] (3) 516-4390
consulate(s) general: Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government
Flag description:
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times
National anthem:
name: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)
lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Shmuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)
Economy ::ISRAEL
Economy - overview:
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and military aid. Israel's GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and 2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the high-technology sector, grew about 5% per year from 2004-07. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a series of liberalizing reforms - and a resilient banking sector, and the economy has shown signs of an early recovery. Following GDP growth of 4% in 2008, Israel's GDP slipped to 0.2% in 2009, but reached 3.4% in 2010, as exports rebounded. The global economic downturn affected Israel's economy primarily through reduced demand for Israel's exports in the United States and EU, Israel's top trading partners. Exports of goods and services account for about 40% of the country's GDP. The Israeli Government responded to the recession by implementing a modest fiscal stimulus package and an aggressive expansionary monetary policy - including cutting interest rates to record lows, purchasing government bonds, and intervening in the foreign currency market. The Bank of Israel began raising interest rates in the summer of 2009 when inflation rose above the upper end of the Bank's target and the economy began to show signs of recovery.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$219.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
$209.8 billion (2009 est.)
$208.1 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$213.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
0.8% (2009 est.)
4.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$29,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$29,000 (2009 est.)
$29,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 32.6%
services: 65% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.147 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 16%
services: 82% (September 2008)
Unemployment rate:
6.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
7.5% (2009 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 14.72%
male: 15.67%
female: 13.88% (2009)
Population below poverty line:
23.6%
note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 24.3% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 67
35.5 (2001)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Budget:
revenues: $61 billion
expenditures: $69.08 billion (2010 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
28.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Public debt:
74.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
77.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
3.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 111
2.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.492% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
3.7% (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$31.24 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$26.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$208.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$195.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$175.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$154.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$218.1 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 31
$182.1 billion (31 December 2009)
$134.5 billion (31 December 2008)
Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products
Industries:
high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear
Industrial production growth rate:
8.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - production:
53.04 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - consumption:
47.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Electricity - exports:
3.666 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.666 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
4,029 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Oil - consumption:
238,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Oil - exports:
86,010 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Oil - imports:
282,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - proved reserves:
1.94 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - production:
1.55 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - consumption:
3.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - imports:
NA (2009 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
198.2 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Current account balance:
$6.699 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$7.063 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$55.84 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$45.9 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel
Exports - partners:
US 32.1%, Hong Kong 6.3%, India 5.1%, Belgium 5.1% (2010)
Imports:
$57.93 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$45.99 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
US 12.8%, China 8.1%, Germany 6.3%, Belgium 5.8%, Switzerland 4.6%, Italy 4.2% (2010)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$70.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$60.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$106 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
$93.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$77.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$69.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$64.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$57.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
3.739 (2010)
3.93 (2009)
3.588 (2008)
4.14 (2007)
4.4565 (2006)
Communications ::ISRAEL
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.25 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.022 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 70
Telephone system:
general assessment: most highly developed system in the Middle East although not the largest
domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage
international: country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
state broadcasting network, operated by the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), broadcasts on 2 channels, one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; 5 commercial channels including a channel broadcasting in Russian, a channel broadcasting Knesset proceedings, and a music channel supervised by a public body; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; IBA broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately-owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations operating (2008)
Internet country code:
.il
Internet hosts:
1.689 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 35
Internet users:
4.525 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 51
Transportation ::ISRAEL
Airports:
48 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 92
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 30
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 6 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 14 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 211 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2010)
Railways:
total: 975 km
country comparison to the world: 89
standard gauge: 975 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)
Roadways:
total: 18,290 km
country comparison to the world: 115
paved: 18,290 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 10
country comparison to the world: 113
by type: cargo 2, container 8
registered in other countries: 51 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 31, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 4, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa
Military ::ISRAEL
Military branches:
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,797,960
females age 16-49: 1,713,230 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,517,510
females age 16-49: 1,446,132 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 62,304
female: 59,418 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
7.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 6
Transnational Issues ::ISRAEL
Disputes - international:
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center
Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-51488887710218631282011-10-03T22:11:00.000-07:002011-10-03T22:16:20.845-07:00Always looking for Israeli Tour Guide Blogs-Touring Israel with Benny PowersTake a look at:
http://bennypowersisraeltours.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/the-four-sephardi-synagogues-in-the-jewish-quarter/#more-101
Always looking for Israeli Tour Guide Blogs-Touring Israel with Benny Powers<a href="http://bennypowersisraeltours.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/the-four-sephardi-synagogues-in-the-jewish-quarter/#more-101"></a>
Please send in your Blog Link if you are a licensed Israeli tour guide or in training.
It is great to share!
Mark and MarilynRotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-67311715753932998522011-09-25T14:17:00.001-07:002011-09-27T23:51:39.332-07:00Fact Sheet for Classic Tour from Haifa Port - Christian OrientedTOUR FROM HAIFA PORT FACT SHEET
Haifa - 266,000 population; 90% Jewish 700,000 Metropolitan area. 8% Arab most Muslim) Largest port in Israel. Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel. Home to the Baha'i World Center. The port has been mentioned in recorded history for over 3400 years.
Home to two major universities - Haifa University and the Technion.
Wonderful Museum at Haifa University – the Hecht Archeological Museum
<b>Bahai Terrace and Gardens</b>- UNESCO World Heritage Site. “The Hanging Garden's of Haifa”. Situated on Mount Carmel Surrounds the Shrine of the Bab.
The faith starts in Persia/Iran in mid 19th Century – much persecution.
The 18 Terraces represent the first 18 disciples of of the Bab. With the level of the Shrine of the Bab there are 19 terraces – very important number in the faith.
Fariborz Sahba began work in 1987 designing the gardens and oversaw construction. Gardens completed in 2001.
Bahai believe in the unity of all religions – Moses, Jesus and ohters were messengers of God
The most recent of these heavenly teachers, according to Baha'is, was Baha'u'llah (1817-92), whose arrival was heralded by the Bab. Baha'u'llah was exiled by the Turkish authorities to Acre (Akko), where he wrote his doctrines and died a peaceful death in Bahji House.
The Bab's remains were hidden for years after he died a martyr's death in front of a firing squad in 1850. Eventually, the Bab's remains were secretly carried to the Holy Land. During one of his visits to Haifa in 1890, Baha'u'llah pointed out to his son the spot on Mount Carmel where the remains of the Bab should be laid to rest in a befitting tomb.
<b>Mount of Beatitudes </b> Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7; Antonio Barluzzi 1939. Catholic/Franciscan
Tabgha – SEVEN SPRINGS.
Church of the Multiplication of Fish and Loaves Catholic/Benedictine – Current church built in the 1980s on foundation of Byzantine church and mosaic. It is possible to identify lotus, oleander and lily; also duck, snipe, heron, goose, dove, swan, cormorant, flamingo and stork. A tower marked with bands bearing Greek letters, probably for measuring the water level of the Sea of Galilee (known as a "nilometer"), is also depicted.
“And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men”. (Mark 6: 30-44)
<b>Church of the Primacy of St. Peter</b> - Catholic/Franciscan: 1933 built on foundation of 4th century church. The church of St. Peter’s Primacy was built by Franciscans in 1933 to remember the place where Jesus bestowed church leadership on Peter in Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” The church is built over a flat rock that Byzantine pilgrims believed was the Mensa Christi where Jesus ate fish with his disciples after the resurrection.
<b>Capernaum </b> Capernaum was the center of Jesus activities in the Galilee and his town during that time. Jesus taught in the local synagogue. It was also the home town of the apostles Peter, James, Andrew and John, and the tax collector Matthew.
The Synagogue was built at the end of the 4th century CE. This building was built from white limestone, which is in contrast with the local black basalt buildings. It had a roof, which stood over the pillars that are seen in the hall.
This earlier synagogue was the center of activities of Jesus, where he taught (Mark 1:21: "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.")
Luke 4:31 "And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days."
Mathew 4:13, 18:22 According to Mathew , Capernaum is "in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim". "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim"
The text continues to tells us that here in Capernaum Jesus chooses the fishermen as disciples:
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him."
<b>Nazareth </b>– Basilica of the Annunciation 1969 Giavanni Munzio Roman Catholic/Franciscan Built over Byzantine and Crusader churches. Has the childhood home of Mary in the Grotto.
The angel Gabriel to a virgin called Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning "Saviour". Many Christians observe this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March, nine full months before Christmas. According to the Bible (Luke 1:26), the Annunciation occurred "in the sixth month" of Elisabeth's pregnancy with the child later called John the Baptist.
<b>St. Joseph's Church, Joseph's Work Shop Church of the Nutrition</b> (Luke 2: 39-40).Built in 1914, on the foundations of a Crusader church, with Romanesque influences.
<b>Mount Precipice </b> Luke 4 (16-30)
<b>Mary's Well</b> The structure seen today was is a 1960s reconstruction of a well-house from the 19th century and stands over the ancient public well possibly used by Mary. Today, water no longer flows to Mary's Well.
Recent excavations have uncovered possible Byzantine and especially Crusader-era tunnels running from the well to houses in the area. Pottery from the 2nd century AD was also found here.
Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-41986351220230570972011-09-21T01:08:00.000-07:002011-09-27T23:54:21.191-07:00An Expression of GratitudeMarilyn and I want to express of sincere gratitude to all of our recent guests. We have had the honor to guide. We have been blessed with the opportunity to show many guests who have visited Israel on their cruises on the Celebrity Silhouette.
Leslie and Morley, Meryle, Cheryl, Martin and Linda, Zeke and Barbara, Denny and Barbara etc. have organized groups and arranged private tours. Each was customized to meet unique needs. We are humbled by their organizing skills (it is not easy to form groups of strangers and convert them to harmonious groups.)
We look forward to showing Denny on Sunday and Zeke and Barbara and their group on Monday around the country.
We have learned some important lessons. Listening to the needs of our guests is essential. We remain very flexible when circumstances change. In one case the ship did not dock in the the scheduled port. We had to change drivers and our personal schedules to make this work.
Another lesson deals with pace. Some groups have a great desire for adventure. Last week were one of the very first groups to visit the City of David and walk from Shiloam Pool through the ancient sewage drain, where the Jewish fled from the Roman soldiers on hte 9th of Av (July 30) 70 CE at the end of a dramatic revolt. While this was a very strenuous adventure - everyone made up to the top!
HOWEVER, there are other groups and individuals who want a less challenging tour. The advantage of working with two tour guides (Marilyn usually is part of the tour), we can divide our groups into those with differing interests.
We also have learned that the best way to visit is a private tour for a couple. It permits a lot more flexibility and we can meet many more needs. However this is a bit more expensive for our guests.
Again thank you all. We have more land excursions ahead in October and November - there are some open dates still available if you are interested.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-26356219084862206552011-09-21T00:39:00.001-07:002011-09-21T00:41:07.226-07:00The Byzantine Church on Masada
When visiting Masada I suggest that you take the path less traveled up to the Guard Tower to the left of the entrance to the palace area. From this watch towner you get a wonderful 360 degree view of Masada. Looking south you see the Roman army barracks followed by the Byzantine Church and Western Palace.
Below is a quote from the Monk John Moschus who visited and wrote about this church in 600 CE.
"Near the Dead Sea is a mountain called Marda. On this mountain live hermits who have a vegitable garden six miles away near the seashore Whenever the hermits wish to send out to the garden for vegetables. they harness a donkey and tell it, "'go to the garden and bring us vegetables.' and it goes down quite alone to the gardener. Every day one can see the donkey ascending and decending on its own and serving the elders."wa
Why did the monks settle in the ruins of a fortress in the heart of the desert? In the desert they sought the tranqulity that would bring them closer to the Creator. The cells of the monks who lived on Masada in the 5th to 7th centuriesCE were scattered all over the mountain in small buildings , in caves and in cisterns that had gone out of use. There they communicated with the Creator in isolation, and here, in the church, they gathered to worship together.
The courtyard of the chruch, in whichsome domestic installations were found, was walled. Water was brought here the cisterns on the slopes and from renovated cisterns on the summit. Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-75884700665646933902011-09-17T23:59:00.001-07:002011-09-17T23:59:14.513-07:00Timeline Jaffa IsraelTimeline
Early Bronze Age
Earliest evidence of occupation in Jaffa
Middle Bronze Age
1900-1530 BCE Jaffa established and fortified as Canaanite seaport
Late Bronze Age
1530-1200 Jaffa thrives as Canaanite port
Early 15th cent. Jaffa taken by Thutmose III
14th cent. Egyptian fort established by Ramesses II
Iron Age
12th-11th cent. Canaanite port with contact with Philistia
10th cent. Jaffa continues as Canaanite port and served ancient Israel
Late 8th cent. Jaffa fortified but besieged by Sennacherib of Assyria
Late 4th cent. Jaffa and Dor given to Eshmunazzar of Sidon
Hellenistic Period
330 Coins minted in Joppa under Alexander
318 Ptolemy (I) placed garrison in Joppa
315 Antigonus besieged and captured Joppa
301 Joppa fell under Ptolemaic rule
200 Joppa fell under Seleucid rule
176 Antiochus IV Epiphanes lands at Joppa to march to Jerusalem
143 Jaffa occupied by Simon; improves port (1 Macc. 11:1-6; 12:33-34; 13:11; also Ant. XIII.6.4)
139 Antiochus VII Sidetes attempts to receive payment from Simon for Joppa and Gezer but fails (1 Macc. 15:28-31)
134 Sidetes retakes Joppa after death of Simon and besieged Jerusalem; Hyrcanus ransoms Joppa
113 Joppa taken by Antiochus IX Kyzikenos and duties placed on trade Romans decree that Joppa be returned to the Hasmoneans (Ant. XIV.10.22)
104 Alexander Jannaeus dug trench from Antipatris (Kefar Saba) to sea near Joppa, and raised wall near Joppa (Ant. XIII.15.1)
Roman Period
66 CE Cestius Gallus sent army from Caesarea to take Joppa (Wars II.18.10)
68 Vespasian used cavalry to retake Joppa (Wars III.9.2)
270-272 Jaffa under Palmyrene rule
Byzantine Period
Jaffa served as seaport for Christian pilgrims coming to Jerusalem.
Medieval Period
636 Amr Ibn al-As captured Joppa for Arab tribes led by Omar
971 Fatimid army takes refuge from Arab army
1016 Earthquake hit region
1033 Dec. 5: Yafa devastated with other sites after earthquake and tsunami
1064-5 French Norman pilgrims visit and depart through Yafa
1099 Yafa razed by Fatimids and abandoned before being taken by Franks
Yafa made a county and overseen by Rodger, seigneur of Rosay, as count
Bishopric re-established under authority of Caesarea
1100 One-fourth of Yafa given to Pisans in treaty with Godfrey
June: Venetian fleet arrived in Yafa
July 18: Godfrey died in Yafa hospital
Fortification rebuilt
1101 Egyptian army of 20,000 besieged Yafa but abandoned effort
April 16: 32 ships of Genoese fleet arrived in Jaffa
Genoese receive a street in Jaffa as part of treaty with Baldwin
1102 Baldwin sought refuge following a failed siege of Fatimid held Ascalon
Oct. 13: heavy storm took one thousand lives and numerous ships
1103 Baldwin rebuilt city; defends against two attempted sieges by Fatimids
Patriarch Arnulf granted land for the building of cemetery for St. Peter's church
1105 Fatimids besieged Yafa again
1106/1107 Russian Abbot, Daniel (Daniel 1888), passed through Yafa
1110 Fleet of sixty ships brings 10,000 Norwegians and English to Yafa
1113 Fatimids from Ashkelon fail again in a siege of Yafa
1114 Church of St. Peter given to patriarch of church of Holy Sepulcher
1115 Fatimids from Ashkelon fail again in a siege of Yafa but burn gates
1121 Fatimid siege of Jaffa was abandoned when relief force arrived
1123 Egyptian fleet destroyed by Venetians in a failed siege of Yafa; Venetians granted a street, bath, and oven
1133 Yafa rebelled against king Fulke
1187 Oct. 2: Yafa surrendered to al-Melek al-Adel Seif ed-Din, brother of Saladin
1191 Walls (and those of other coastal towns) destroyed when abandoned by Saladin
1192 July 28-August: Saladin besieges Yafa
1193 el-Melek el-Adel besieged Yafa, but it was reoccupied by Crusaders several months later
1198 Nov. 11: Small contingent of Crusaders holding Yafa massacred
1228 Walls rebuilt by Crusaders but stopped due to peace negotiations (see Crusader inscription)
1244 Yafa besieged following failed Crusader battle against Kharezmians, but he withdrew
1250 Saint Louis seeks to rebuild Yafa fortifications
1268 Mar. 7: Yafa besieged by Bibars, expelled Christians, and razed city
1334 Rabbi Issac Chelo visits Yafa
1336 Sultan en-Nasir Nasir-ed-Din Mohammed destroyed quay to prevent new Crusade form landing
Ottoman Period
1642 Franciscan monks start settlement to accommodate pilgrims
1654 Latin Hospice founded (on place of Simon the Tanner's house)
1733 Soap industry revived in Jaffa
1770 Mameluke Ali Bey took Yafa from Osman Pasha
1772 Yafa returned to Ottomans
1772 July: Mameluke ruler Ali Bey besieged Yafa until Feb. 1773 and took it
1775 Mohammed Bey Abu-l-Dhahab besieged Yafa to retake it from Ali Bey's supporter; ends May 1776
1799 March 3rd-6th Bonaparte besieged Jaffa; plague follows day after
Yafa besieged by el-Jazzar after dispute with Grand Wezir
1804 Yafa again besieged by Suleiman Pasha
1810-1820 Walls rebuilt around city by Abu-Nabbut
1815 Large mosque rebuilt; fountain built by Abu-Nabbut
1816 Eastern gate rebuilt
1831 Yafa surrendered to Ibrahim el-Ajami and Ibrahim Pasha
1839 Ashkenazi Jews settle in Yafa
1866 Foundation of The Jaffa American Colony by George Adams
1867 Mark Twain passes through Jaffa and comments on the "fiasco" of the American colony
1879 City walls demolished to accommodate growth of city
1892 Jaffa-Jerusalem Railway commenced
1909 Tel Aviv founded
British Mandate
1917 British arrived in Jaffa
1945 Excavations begun by P. L. O. Guy
State of Israel
1947-1950 Excavations by P. L. O. Guy (Israel Dept. of Antiquities and Museums)
1952 Excavations by John Bowman and B. S. J. Isserlin (University of Leeds)
1955-1981 Excavations by Jacob Kaplan and Haya-Ritter Kaplan
1961 Jaffa Museum opened by Kaplan
1994 Israel Antiquities Authority excavations commences under Martin Peilstocker
1997, 1999 Excavations in Kaplan's Area A by Tel Aviv University under direction of Ze'ev Herzog
2007 Jaffa Cultural Heritage Project (IAA-UCLA) establishedRotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-91230460825376690062011-09-12T23:45:00.000-07:002011-09-12T23:46:39.662-07:00FOUR ANCIENT SYNAGOGUES – THE BEATING HEART OF THE SEPHARDI COMMUNITY IN JERUSALEMIt was in 1267 that Rabbi Moshe Ben-Nakhman (known as Nachmanides or by his initial, as the RaMBaN) arrived in Jerusalem from Gerona in Catalonia, Spain, to bring new life and organization to the city’s Jews. He quickly set up a synagogue in a “half-ruined house with marble pillars and a fine dome” (as he wrote to his son, Nakhman)and for centuries after it continued to serve all the city’s Jews, whatever community they owed allegiances to. Until that is, in 1586 the Turkish city governor (known as Abu Seifin) ordered it closed, on the pretext that a hundred years before the building had been sanctified as a mosque. Jerusalem’s Jews had not choice but to manage again as separate communities. The Sephardim built their new center to the south of the Ramban synagogue, at a spot where tradition say, in the time of the Second Temple, had stood the study house of no less then Rabban Yokhanan be-Zakai himself, the renowned tanna (scholar-judge) who took over leadership of the people after the Temple’s destruction and the uprooting of the Sanhedrin from Jerusalem to Yavneh. <br />The need to build new synagogues coincided wth a marked with a marked growth in the numbers of Jews in the city, for the rulers of the Ottoman empire allowed Jews who had settled in their territory after the expulsion from Spain (1492) to move freely within the empire and when the Ottomans captured Jerusalem in December, 1516, a steady influx of their Jews into the city had begun. However, under the prohibitions decreed by Islam, no “infidel” prayer house could stand higher than a neighboring Muslim holy place. Jews got round the difficulty by starting their synagogues’ ground floors 3 meters below street level, adorning the necessity by quoting Psalm 130, “Out of the depths, O Lord, I call you.”<br />By the beginning of the 19th Century the four synagogues were derelict and tottering, with the rain dripping through holes and cracks. At last, in 1835, the Sephardi community’s notables succeeded in obtaining from the Governor of the Holy Land, Ibrahim Pasha (son of Muhammad Ali, the famous governor of Egypt who had conquered the land in 1831) a permit for the synagogues’ renovation and repair. The lay-out of the areas containing the four synagogues was at the same time reshaped to make it a single compound, which now encompassed- because of the different periods of synagogue construction – a uniquely rich variety of architectural styles and features. <br /> <br />This period of physical reconstruction also marked a turning point in the status of the Jewish community in Palestine-Eretz Yisrael. In 1840 the Ottoman authorities restored their direct rule over the land. In consequence of this and of other changes that had taken place (for instance, the great European powers had began asserting their interests by opening foreign consulates in Jerusalem), Istanbul made Jerusalem an independent Sanjaq (district), answering directly to Istanbul an not, as before, to the governor of Damascus, and as a result, the standing of the community and its notables underwent a very positive change. Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbi, a Sephardi, who had hitherto borne the traditional Jewish title of “First in Zion” (Rishon LeTzion) was now officially designated Hakham Bashi, that is, head of the Jerusalem Jewish community and all its rabbis, and as such enjoyed official status under the Ottoman system of government. <br /> <br />The four, now structurally linked, synagogues, together with their study houses and charitable institutions (Bet HaRashal, the Sephardi Talmud Torah (study house), the Tifferet Yerushalayim yeshiva, the widows’ alms-house) now made up the center of the Jerusalem Sephardi community’s spiritual and cultural life, a community which until the 1870s was by far the largest Jewish community in the city and the only one to enjoy official recognition by the authorities and the non-Jewish population throughout the whole period of Ottoman rule.<br /> <br />The Qahal Qadosh Gadol (Great Congregation) Rabban Yokhanan ben Zakai This synagogue, built in the late 16th – early 17th Centuries, held pride of place among the four synagogue, to the extent that the whole compoundwas sometimes called the Rabban Yokhanan ben Zakai compound. The synagogue, oriented west-east, had an elongated interior leading up to not one but two Holy Arks, both with Gothic-style fronts and symmetrically placed against the eastern wall. The high stone-built prayer dais (bima) in the center was also elongated, with a decorative wrought-iron railing on all four sides. It was in this synagogue that, from 1893 on, the Rishon LeTzion and Kakham Bashi, was ceremonially “enthroned” and where public meetings and assemblies were held and where important communal events such as the official ceremony in 1870 to welcome Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary, took place.<br />Until the destruction of 1948, the congregation cherished an old sofar (ram’s horn trumpet) and oil jug in a niche in one of the synagogue walls. Tradition whispered from generation to generation that with this very shofar the prophet Elijah would announce the coming of the Messiah and with oil poured from this ancient juglet the Messiah would be anointed. <br />The Eliahu HaNavi Talmud Torah Congregation Expert opinion is that this synagogue (it also served as a study house) was the first of the four built. The ceiling of the main prayer hall was domed in the Turkish style and its large stone prayer dais was railed and furnished in wood. In the north-west corner is a large alcove, from which steps lead down to “Elijah’s Cave”. There people came to place lighted oil lamps , each flame imploring the Prophet to make a special wish come true.<br /> <br />How did the synagogue come to be named after the great Elijah? Well, the time-honored story goes that the community of Jews in the city was once so small they could not even make up a minyan (the 10 men required for holding public prayer). This was very distressing to the 9 available men, and even more so when the holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement, arrived There they were and the time had come to say the Kol Nidrei prayer that opens the Day, when an old man joined them and , wonderfully, made himself one of them. To commemorate the miracle they added the name of the Prophet to the name of the synagogue.<br /> <br />The Istanbuli Synagogue This synagogue is both the largest and last to be built, having been constructed in the 1760s by immigrants from Istanbul; hence its name. Its windows are very distinctive, they are large and deeply recessed in the thick walls, each one made up of three long vertical panes surmounted by a single, wide horizontal one. Flanking the Holy Ark stood two Corinthian columns carved around the arabesques. Like the other four synagogues, it had a high prayer dais. The Istanbuli also had a geniza, a space or chamber where books of scripture, too worn or damaged for use but too holy to be thrown out or destroyed, were stored. Every so often the geniza was emptied and the old books and scrolls carried in public procession to be reverently buried in a cave in the ancient Sambuski Sephardi cemetery at the foot of Mount Zion. <br /> <br />The Emtza’I (Middle) Synagogue Zion Congregation This is the smallest of the four synagogues called the “middle” one for the simple reason that it was built on a plot of land between the other three, a plot which apparently had, till then, been an outside courtyard of the Rabban Yokhanan ben Zakai synagogue, accommodating its women’s enclosure. The origin of the synagogue’s official name, Zion Congregation, goes back to a tradition that an underground passage once connected the synagogue to the grave-site of the kings of the House of David. Like the Rabban Yokhanan ben Zakai synagogue, it has an elongated interior and a groin-vaulted ceiling. <br /> <br />During Israel’s War of Independence (1947-48), all four synagogues provided shelter to the inhabitants of the Old City, it was from them that the Quarter’s defenders filed out to captivity in Jordan. All four were then devastated: they were plundered, burnt and the skeletal remains used as stalls for horses, goats and sheep.<br /> <br />On the liberation of the Old City in 1967 Six Day War, the four synagogues were found in the ruinous state described earlier, and piled high with rubble and manure. But to our great fortune at least the outer walls stood intact. The Council of Sephardi Communities and the Jerusalem Fund, with assistance from the Israeli government, the Yad Avei HaYishuv organization and donations from other funds and individuals in Israel and around the world, took on the task of restoration. It was not until the Hundreds of tons of accumulated refuse has been removed and the basic structure of walls and roof repaired and rebuilt, that it was possible to restore the structures to their former, beauty and glory.<br /> <br />The National Parks Authority had charge of the work, with practical direction in the hands of the architect, Dan Tannai, whose first concern at all times was to restore the original lay-out and reconstruct each synagogue’s outstanding former characteristics and features. Before the destruction, the splendor of the buildings had been their interior furnishings, especially the prayer dais and Holy Arks. Antique dais, arks and lamps were now brought from Spain and Italy and their dimensions precisely altered to fit the new settings. Item by item, the atmosphere and appearance of the synagogues of that past age was recreated.<br /> <br />Finally, in the intermediate days of Succot, 1972, al four synagogues were reinaugurated and rededicated in a solemn and moving ceremony, attended by the State’s leaders and high officials. <br />- Text: Dania HaimRotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-39724038611144579242011-09-11T21:57:00.000-07:002011-09-11T21:59:07.052-07:00Finding Your Way around Tel AvivAlthough Tel Aviv was not really built as a planned city, but rather had neighborhoods added in what often seem haphazard patches, it is still possible to easily get around the city – if you know the basics (as outlined in Geddes’ plan).<br />Four main streets run parallel to the coast. They are:<br /><br />North to South<br /><br />Hayarkon Street (near the beach, where most of the hotels are located)<br /><br />Ben Yehuda Street (which merges into Allenby Street in the south)<br /><br />Dizengoff Strret<br /><br />Even G’virol Street<br /><br />East to West<br /><br />The following streets intersect the streets listed above:<br /><br />Nordau Boulevard (in the north)<br /><br />Zabotinsky Street<br /><br />Arlozorov Street<br /><br />Ben Gurion Boulevard<br /><br />Gordon Street<br /><br />Frishman Street<br /><br />Bugrashov Street<br /><br />While getting around Tel Aviv may not be as easy as in cities that were built according to a comprehensive urban plan – if you know which streets run from north to south and which intersect them from east to west, you should find getting around the city, much easier. <br /><br />[Souce: Gems in Israel, April 2001]Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-876602485576879442011-09-10T22:56:00.000-07:002011-09-11T23:30:18.159-07:00Bauhaus International Style Architecture in Tel Aviv - A UNESCO World Heritage Site<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjei16Jb5lTWwy-8WKn1kMSbto3qnw8hSsEjmIvp3sXEDuhMv6Q7Y1FiIOkAl4gRpZ-tRBqKn6-MPi1fu2atl3eUPoo4yfHa1_joM4_xV0BEgizJY4HmrwsHviL4QVcEeZHLvxgXvSICA/s1600/bauhaus-frug.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjei16Jb5lTWwy-8WKn1kMSbto3qnw8hSsEjmIvp3sXEDuhMv6Q7Y1FiIOkAl4gRpZ-tRBqKn6-MPi1fu2atl3eUPoo4yfHa1_joM4_xV0BEgizJY4HmrwsHviL4QVcEeZHLvxgXvSICA/s320/bauhaus-frug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651354174672489522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp9hzkOpGvchCuO4g8M4D841Nz-DJxy6FK65EDqVlwCBDUaIdKUbRM9138cmjzaBdLk34Z70MazTU29VlGMCb6WU-Za-Wcu_6T-n_QdSceAaO2din3jp9AIB_mC6FIF6zD55IIMjoiP4/s1600/Bauhaus+Walking+Tour+route+from+99+Dizengoff.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnp9hzkOpGvchCuO4g8M4D841Nz-DJxy6FK65EDqVlwCBDUaIdKUbRM9138cmjzaBdLk34Z70MazTU29VlGMCb6WU-Za-Wcu_6T-n_QdSceAaO2din3jp9AIB_mC6FIF6zD55IIMjoiP4/s320/Bauhaus+Walking+Tour+route+from+99+Dizengoff.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651322077773033042" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />#5 Frug St.<br /><br /><br />Whether you call it Bauhaus or International Style architecture, Tel Aviv is still the only city in the world that houses such a large collection of buildings designed in this style. It evolved in Germany in the 1920's, came to an abrupt end (in Germany) with the Nazi's rise to power and continued to develop in the U.S. and elsewhere. In Tel Aviv of the 1930's, Bauhaus architecture flourished, as is evidenced by many of the wonderful buildings that line the city's streets. Since the initial publication of this issue, the "White City of Tel Aviv" has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.<br /><br /><br />Central Tel Aviv has the world's largest collection of Bauhaus style buildings. The International Modern Style of architecture appeared in Europe in the years immediately following World War One. Its greatest exponent was the Bauhaus School of Arts, Design and Architecture, founded by Walter Gropius in Weimar Germany in 1919. The Bauhaus School later moved to Berlin and was closed by the Nazis in 1933. Over the years many have come to regard the terms Bauhaus and International Modern Style as synonymous.<br /> <br /> <br />The rise of Nazism and successive waves of Jewish immigration to Palestine brought many new immigrants from Germany, including several prominent Bauhaus architects, to Tel Aviv in the 1930's. In Israel these architects had to adapt their style to different environmental, especially climatic, conditions. Tel Aviv's tremendous urban growth at this time provided them with ample work. The results can be seen through the approximately 4,000 Bauhaus style buildings that were built in Tel Aviv in the 1930's and 40's.<br /> <br />So what is Bauhaus Architecture?<br />Bauhaus style architecture favored functionality for the benefit of the residents over decoration. In building design, the organization of space took prominence over mass. Architects strove to optimize light and ventilation, an especially important challenge as they moved from central Europe to Middle East. Bauhaus buildings standout for neat flowing lines, both vertically and horizontally. Decorative elements were avoided. Construction favored the use of modern materials and relied on an internal shell rather than being supported by external walls. In Tel Aviv many Bauhaus buildings were built standing on pillars with dangling corners to provide for greater ventilation and shady areas outdoors.<br /> <br />Where to Find Bauhaus Style Buildings in Tel Aviv<br />Since there are roughly 4,000 Bauhaus style buildings in Tel Aviv, as you begin to notice their defining features, you will start to see a lot of them. Try the northern end of Rothschild Boulevard, especially on the east side of the street in the 80's. Personal favorites include 87 Rothschild Blvd and Beit Rabinsky at 1 Gilboa St. Other good areas for viewing Bauhaus style buildings include Dizengoff Square and nearby Beilinson, Ben Ami and Frug Streets, along with the area of Yael and Shlomo Hamelech Streets north of Dizengoff Sq. Additional good examples can be seen on Mazeh and Nachmani Streets off the middle of Rothschild Blvd.<br /> <br />Remember to bring your camera to capture these special buildings.<br /><br />There are a number of characteristics to the Bauhaus/International Style of architecture: <br />1) It shuns ornamentation and favors functionality <br />2) Uses asymmetry and regularity versus symmetry <br />3) It grasps architecture in terms of space versus mass<br /><br />Bauhaus architecture was concerned with the social aspects of design and with the creation of a new form of social housing for workers. This may be just another one of the reasons it was embraced in the newly evolving city of Tel-Aviv, at a time when socialist ideas were so prevalent. This style of architecture came about (in part) because of new engineering developments that allowed the walls to be built around steel or iron frames. This meant that walls no longer had to support the structure, but only enveloped it – from the outside.<br /><br />Bauhaus buildings are usually cubic, favor right angles, (although some feature rounded corners and balconies); they have smooth facades and an open floor plan.<br /> <br />The Bauhaus buildings are all on the street and so they are accessible as a normal street.<br /><br />The building featured on the Bauhaus Center Walking Tour (Self Guided with map and headphones or on Friday 10 AM guided tour)<br /><br />1. Bauhaus Center, 99 Dizengoff (opens 10 AM week days) has a very good video on history of Tel Aviv with emphasis on architecture from Eclectic to Art Nouveau to International Style. <br /><br />2. 6/8 Yael St.<br /><br />3. 3 Yael St. <br /><br />4. 5 Yael St. <br /><br />5. 20 Shlomo HaMelech St.<br /><br />6. 21/23 Shlomo HaMelech St.<br /><br />7. 14 Shlomo HaMelech St.<br /><br />8. 12 Shlomo HaMelech St.<br /><br />9. 11 Shlomo HaMelech St. (12 Tel Hai St.)<br /><br />10. Dizengoff Circle<br /><br />11. 5 Frug St.<br /><br /><br /><br />12. 33/35 Frishman St.<br /><br />13. 32/34/36 Frug St.<br /><br />Other noted buildingsd: <br /><br />21 Lord Melchett St.<br /><br />49 Ahad Haam Street, architect Zachi Shlush<br /><br />Other touring areas are:<br /><br />Rothschild Blvd. (and the surrounding area of Shenkin)<br />Dizengoff St.<br />Bialik St.<br />Mazeh and Kalisher St.<br /><br /><br /> Tel Aviv has the largest number of cooperative workers’ apartments in the country. The aim was to provide residents with as much equality in living quarters. These blocks of apartments, operated almost as self-contained units. Residents had a variety of services right in the buildings, including kindergarten, post office, convenience store, laundry etc. Additionally, a plot of land was set aside, so that residents could grow their own vegetables. Having a ‘connection to the land’ was viewed as extremely important. An example of such a cooperative unit can be seen at the corner of Frishman, Dov Hoz and Frug streets. This block of buildings also served as headquarters of the Haganah.<br /><br />There are over 1500 International Style buildings in Tel Aviv, slated for preservation/restoration. Looking at some of the buildings already restored, one can only imagine how beautiful and modern the city must have looked in the 1930’s.<br /><br />Some Local Bauhaus Adaptations<br /><br />Smaller Windows<br /><br />Some of the key elements of Bauhaus architecture had to be adapted to the local environment, primarily because of the climate. One of the key elements of the International Style in Europe was a large window. However, in a hot climate – large windows that let great amounts of light shine into the rooms – do not make sense. Locally, glass was used sparingly and long, narrow, horizontal windows are visible on many of the Bauhaus buildings in Tel Aviv. On some buildings, you can also see long narrow balconies, which in many cases have now been enclosed. This was an adaptation of the long narrow windows.<br /><br />The horizontal ‘strip window’ was a signature characteristic of Le Corbusier. A number of local architects worked in Le Corbusier’s office in Paris and were greatly influenced by his style.<br /><br />Stilt Columns (Pilotis)<br /><br />Another element used by Le Corbusier was stilt-type columns (pilotis), which raised the buildings off street level thereby creating room for a green garden area while providing greater airflow.<br /><br />The first building built in this manner in Tel Aviv, was Beit Engel. It was built in 1933, by Zeev Rechter, and is located at 84 Rothschild Boulevard, and the corner of Ma’zeh Street. Rothschild Boulevard is an excellent area to see a great variety of Bauhaus buildings (although quite a few are in dire need of restoration). If you go to see the Engel building today you will notice that the ‘open’ area created by the stilt columns has been enclosed. Rechter fought for two years to get approval to build on these stilt columns. This type of building became quite common, in Tel Aviv and the surrounding cities, although by the 1940’s fewer buildings were being built in this manner in Tel Aviv.<br /><br />Flat Roofs<br /><br />Another of the local features of the Bauhaus buildings, are the flat roofs, as opposed to the typical shingled and slanted roofs, prevalent in the European buidlings. The roofs served all of a buidlings’ residents. While roofs in most cases did not feature gardens, (as envisioned by Le Corbusier), they were a place where social events were held and where the laundry room was often located as well.<br /><br />Reinforced Concrete<br /><br />The local building technology of the time was not advanced. Reinforced concrete was first used (in Tel Aviv) in 1912. Later it became widely used, because it was easy to work with and did not require skilled workers.<br /><br />Bauhaus architecture became common in Tel Aviv of the 1930’s for a variety of reasons. There was a strong tendency toward modernization. Architects, who worked locally, had strong ties to the European architectural developments of the day. There was also a need to build cheaply and quickly because of the growing metropolis.<br /><br />Tel Aviv is the only city in the world, built mostly, in the International Style. In fact, over the years a kind of reactionary ‘anti-Bauhaus’ sentiment, developed.<br /><br />Saving and restoring many of the city’s wonderful old buildings is fraught with legal and economic constraints that often make conservation, less than desirable for the building’s owners. One can only hope that the coming years will bring solutions that will enable the preservation of more of Tel Aviv’s Bauhaus architecture.<br /><br /><br /> The unofficial international style site from Israel<br />(The site started as an eMail address gift to a friend who loves Bauhaus)<br />English אנגלית, Hebrew עברית<br />Home, eCards, Posters, The School, BauHauses, Caricatures, Architects, Store<br />Bauhauses List and some pictures<br /><br />The links are to Artlog.co.il where you can find much more details on each house and the architects<br /><br /><br />Architect Usage Address City Year<br />Architect Name House name Address City Year<br /> Arieh Sharon 1900-1980 Chen Cinema 16 Ben Ami st. Tel-Aviv 1945<br /> Carl Rubin 1899-1955 Dizengoff House 16 Rotschild Blvd. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Carl Rubin 1899-1955 Hadar House 19 Derech Petach Tikva Tel-Aviv 1935<br /> Dov Carmi 1905-1962 Zlotopolsky House 9 Gordon St. Tel-Aviv 1935<br /> Dov Kutchinsky 1883-1966 Credit Bank 69 Nachalat Binyamin st. Tel-Aviv 1930<br /> Friedman brothers ? Peltzman House 18 Bialik st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Genia Averbouch 1909-1977 Mirenbourg, Ya'avetz House 13 Ben Amy/ 11 Kikar Dizingoff Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Hayim Sokolinsky BarBag Corp. House Rothschild Blvd/Nahmani st. Tel-Aviv 1933<br /> Jacob Pinkerfeld 1897-1956 Beit Hannah 75 Ben Gurion Blvd. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Joseph & Ze'ev Berlin Rubinsky & Braun House 82 Rotschild Blvd. Tel-Aviv 1932<br /> Joseph & Ze'ev Berlin Ha'aretz Print House 56 Ma'ze st. Tel-Aviv 1935<br /> Joseph Neufeld 1898- Kupat Cholim House 14 Ben Ami st. Tel-Aviv 1937<br /> Joseph Neufeld 1898- Assuta Hospital 80 Jabotinsky st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Lucian Korngold 1897-1972 Rubinsky House 1 Hagilboa st. Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Pinchas (Philip) Huett 1888-1949 Ogen House 23 Pinsker st. Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Pinchas (Philip) Huett 1888-1949 Mirenburg House 65 Hovevey Zion st. Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Richard Kaufmann 1877-1958 Kruskal House 21 Hess st. Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Salomon Liaskovssky, Jecob Orenshtein The Elephant - Polishuck House Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Sam Barkai ? Aginsky House 5 Engel st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Sharon, Neufeld Diker, Rubin Meonot Ovdim Z Workers flats 64-66 Ben Gurion Blvd. Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Shim'on Hamadi Levi The Boat House 56 Levanda st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Shlomo Bernstein 1907-1969 Efroni House 95 Achad Ha'am st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Shmuel mestiechkin 1908- The White Gallery House 12-14 Rupin st. Tel-Aviv 1937<br /> Zaki Chelouche 1894-1975 Braun Hause 49 Achad Ha'am st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /> Ze'ev (Wilhelm) Haller 1882-1956 Hornstein House 54 King George/48 Dizingoff Tel-Aviv 1936<br /> Ze'ev (Wilhelm) Haller 1882-1956 Bruno Hause 3 Strauss st. Tel-Aviv 1935<br /> Ze'ev Rechter 19xx-1960 Engle House 84 Rotschild Blvd. Tel-Aviv 1933<br /> Ze'ev Rechter 19xx-1960 Dvoletzky House 70 Hayarkon st. Tel-Aviv 1934<br /><br /><br /><br />On Monday,June 7/2/2003 the UNESCO declared the inner- city of Tel-Aviv a WORLD HERITAGE SITE,saving the 4,500 Bauhaus-buildings(and the buildings designed from 1909)for their destruction.<br /><br />It is proper to thank a few people for their never ending fight for the survival of Historic buildings in Tel-Aviv.<br />First of all:]<br /><br />Dr.MICHAEL LEVIN<br />It was Dr.Levin who with his exhibition " THE WHITE CITY"(1984) opened the eyes of the inhabitants of Tel-Aviv about their BAUHAUS buildings. In 1994 he cooperated in the INTERNATIONAL STYLE CONFERENCE( May22-28) in Tel-Aviv.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-3668061155623405042011-09-08T00:26:00.000-07:002011-09-08T00:28:22.425-07:00Half Day Tour of Tel Aviv Jaffa from Ashdod Port (Sunday thru Thursday)We pick you up at Ashdod port at 1:30 PM at the exit gate and <br /><br />Drive directly to Jaffa where we will take a walk along the Mediterranean promenade and go up to a lovely view point and the Wishing Bridge.<br /><br />We then take a short drive to Newe Tzedek, a trendy section of south Tel Aviv, to have coffee a the well known and popular Suzana Cafe at #9 Shabazi St.. <br /><br />From here we drive to Rothschild St to view the "White City" UNESCO Historic site Bauhaus buildings.<br /><br />We end our day with a tour of the Palmach Museum - for this 1 1/2 hour guided tour.<br /><br />We return to Ashdod port arriving @6:45 PM.<br /><br />While we are experiencing a number of wonderful sites in a relatively short period of time, we will keep up a relaxed, pleasant pace.<br /><br />I look forward to meeting you in Ashdod on the 18th.<br /><br />The cost is $500 USD payable in dollars or equivalent New Israel Shekels. This does not include Coffee at Suzana.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-47660772326686606752011-08-30T18:06:00.000-07:002011-08-30T19:03:08.639-07:00Celebrity Silhouette and other cruisers: Ashdod Port and Cruise Ships - OpportunitiesWe realize that there have been some recent discussions on Cruise Critic about the Ashdod port dockings for cruise ships during the 4 days you are able to tour Israel.
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<br />MarkZtours has come up with what we feel is the ideal solution during the period Ashdod port is not used. Our trademark approach is to develop with you, exclusive shore excursions that are unique, exciting, customized and very reasonably priced. We strive to provide you with outstanding service and an amazing experience in Israel.
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<br />We have recently opened a center of operation in the north of Israel near Haifa. We are using a marvelous Druze Transport company out of the nearby town of Daliat HaCarmel and are working with fantastic people and receiving outstanding service. We still have full serve out of Ashdod.
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<br />What we are recommending is a three day package:
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<br />Day One out of Haifa Port: Galilee/Golan - featuring the archaeological site at Zippori, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee (varying depending on Jewish and/or Christian orientation), the Golan Heights with possible visits to Druze village, views of Israel Syria border - the Valley of Tears sight of major tank battle in Yom Kippur war.
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<br />Day Two out of Haifa port (if not docking in Ashdod) Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. We recommend driving directly to Masada then bathing in the Dead Sea, driving back to Jerusalem with a late afternoon early evening tour of the Old City.
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<br />Day Three also out of Haifa port but also available from Ashdod - visit to the famous and amazing archaelogical sites of Caesarea Maritima and Megiddo and a later afternoon visit to Jaffa and Tel Aviv.
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<br />If you are interested in a memorable "Druze Experience" in the north, you have come to the right place. We have developed wonderful visiting opportunities in the Druze community of Daliat HaCarmel. I use a Druze transport company out of Daliat HaCarmel about 30 minutes from Haifa. We have great drivers and wonderful vans. The Abu Anter Restaurant offers delicious, traditional Druze meals at reasonable prices.
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<br />I just finished a two day tour for passengers from the Celebrity Silhouette. The first day was a tour of the Galilee and Golan highlighting visits to Zippori archeological site, the holy city of Zefat, the Druze village of Migdal Shams where we enjoyed Knafe a special desert, viewpoints along the Israel/Syria border and more. Day two (the ship changed program and did not sail to Ashdod port) we took the group to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea - a long and exhilarating day.
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<br />Our rates are exceptionally competitive compared to other tour companies and the land excursions offered by your ship. We know the market. Also, we pride ourselves on customizing our tours to the unique needs of each group. We also give great attention to health, safety and security concerns to assure all goes well on our tours.
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<br />A day tour to the Galilee including the "Druze Experience" is $900 USD - total cost shared by our guests (e.g. 9 guests would pay $100 each plus entry fees where applicable.) The very comfortable van we use holds 12 guests plus driver and guide. We can customize the visit for Jewish and/or Christian orientation. We can substitute the Golan for Akko or other sites in the Galilee. There are other creative options as well depending on your interest.
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<br />With the issue of cruise ships not docking in Ashdod port, we have just developed a most innovative solution to the Jerusalem and Dead Sea portion of the tour on the second day.
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<br />We recommend driving directly to Masada then bathing in the Dead Sea then going back to Jerusalem ending up with a later afternoon/early evening visit to the Old City. We just completed our first such tour with amazing success. Again, we are flexible on this itinerary and will work with you to make the tour a dream come true. Cost is $1,100 USD (e.g. 11 passengers would pay $100 USD each plus entry fees where applicable.)
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<br />If you are interested, please write soon if interested. We already have received inquires from other passengers on the Silhouette October docking. Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-48856162596285139322011-08-30T16:50:00.001-07:002011-08-30T18:06:19.145-07:00What our guests are saying: Review YMCA 3 Arches HotelWe recently had the honor to guide a fantastic mom and son who came off their docked ship in Haifa for a two day tour of the Galilee, Golan, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. We recommended that they stay overnight in Jerusalem at the 3 Arches Hotel in the Jerusalem International YMCA. The mom's very nice review is below. Please not that MarkZtours has an exclusive agreement for a fantastic discount at the 3 Arches not available anywhere else - 400 New Israeli Shekels (approximately $125 USD per room per night.)
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<br />
<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The review:
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<br />30 Jul 2011 TonsMom
<br />My son and I stayed here overnight during our 11-day Holyland cruise. We had booked a private tour for the two-day stop and this allowed us to get the most out of our two days in Israel. I highly recommend Mark Zober for the private tour (markztours@gmail.com). He and his wife Marilyn gave us the insider's view of Israel in a very short amount of time.
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<br />The hotel is located across the street from the famous King David Hotel and is near the old city in Jerusalem. If you have a chance walk across the street and check out the insides of the King David hotel. Many famous people have stayed at the King David and there is much history to see in the hotel itself.
<br />
<br />Take a tour of the Jerusalem Y as well. The arches leading to the lobby are noteworthy and a ride in the elevator up to the top of the Y tower for sweeping photos of Jerusalem is a must. We were on a high floor overlooking King David Street and it was wonderful to wake up in the morning to see the roof tops of surrounding Jerusalem. The hotel has a buffet breakfast and weather permitting a courtyard in the front of the hotel where you can eat breakfast. The choice of breakfast foods was more than adequate.
<br /></span>Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-4618572603788232552011-08-27T17:17:00.001-07:002011-08-27T17:18:32.384-07:00THE LAND OF ISRAEL CHRONOLOGY by Mark Zober and Marilyn FarberTHE LAND OF ISRAEL CHRONOLOGY
<br />(Early Years are Approximate)
<br />
<br /> BCE (Before the Commen Era)
<br />
<br />< 4,500 Stone Age
<br />10,000 People living on the Carmel
<br /> 8,000 Agriculture
<br /> 7,000 Wall built at Jericho
<br /> 5,800 Appearance of clay pottery.
<br />
<br />4,500 Chaolcolith (Copper Age)
<br />3,500 People living on the Golan Heights
<br />3,200 Canaanite Period (Bronze Age)
<br />3,000 First cities
<br />2,000 First city states
<br />1,482 Thutmose III (Assyrian) conquers Meggido
<br />1,217 “Israel” appears on the Merneptah Stele
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<br />1,200-1,050 Judges Period (Iron Age I)
<br />1,025 Samuel last judge and Saul first king
<br />1,004 David becomes King of Israel
<br />
<br />965 Israelite Period (Iron Age 2-3)
<br />Solomon becomes king (builds First Temple)
<br />928 Split of the United Monarchy
<br />722 Northern 10 tribes destroyed by Assyrians
<br />586 First Temple Destroyed by the Babylonians
<br />
<br />586-332 Persian Period
<br />538 Edict of Cyrus (Jews allowed to return)
<br />515 2nd Temple completed;
<br />445 Return of Ezra and Nehemiah
<br />
<br />332-167 Hellenistic Period -- Alexander the Great captures Land of Israel
<br />198 Antiochus (Seleucids- Greeks in Syria) defeats the Ptolemies (Greeks in Egypt) and rules Palestine
<br />169 Antiochus plunders the Temple
<br />168 Maccabees revolt and defeat the Greeks
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<br />167-67 Hasmonean Period -- beginning of period of Jewish kings ruling Judaea
<br />64 Pompey (Roman) conquers Land of Israel
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<br />63-334 CE Roman Period
<br />37-4 Rule of Herod the Great
<br />~4 Birth of Jesus
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<br /> CE (Common Era)
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<br />~33 Crucifixion of Jesus;
<br />66-73 The Great Revolt (by the Jews against the Romans
<br />70 Fall of Jerusalem and destruction of 2nd Temple
<br />73 Fall of Masada
<br />132-135 Bar Kochba's Revolt (last Jewish revolt against Rome)
<br />220 Yehuda HaNassi compiles the Mishna in Zippori;
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<br />324-638 Byzantine Period -- Roman Empire accepts Christianity under Emperor Constantine
<br /> Roman Empire moves capitol to Byzantine (Constantinople—in Turkey today)
<br />325 Queen Helene (mother of Constantine) visits Jerusalem
<br />335 Holy Sepulcher built
<br />368 Jerusalem Talmud compiled in Tiberias
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<br />[b 570-d 632 Mohammed born in Mecca]
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<br />614 Persian Period – mass destruction of Churches in “Israel”
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<br />638 Early Muslim Period --Jerusalem ruled by Muslims
<br />640 Muslims conquer Caesarea Maritima
<br />660 Rule of the Umayyad Dynasty
<br />691 Dome of the Rock is built
<br />705 Al Aqsa Mosque is build
<br />730 Rule of the Abassid Dynasty
<br />970 Rule of the Fatimid Dynasty
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<br />1099-1291 Crusader Period –
<br />1099 First Crusade
<br />1146 2nd Crusade
<br />1187 Saladin defeats Crusaders at Horns of Hattin (near Tiberius)
<br />1191 3rd Crusade
<br />1228 6th Crusade
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<br />1250-1517 Mamluk Period (former Egyptian vassels) – begin rule in Egypt
<br />1291 Mamluks (Sultan Baibars) expel the Crusaders
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<br />1517-1917 Ottoman Period -- Sultan Selim I captures Land of Israel
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<br />1540 Suliman builds the walls of Jerusalem;
<br />1720 Dahar-el-Omar conquers the North
<br />1775 Ahmed al-Jazzar Pasha rules Akko
<br />1799 Napolean invasion
<br />1831 Ibahim Pasha (Egypt) conquest
<br />1860 Jews begin to build communities outside the walls of the ‘Old City” of Jerusalem
<br />1882 1st Aliyah (Immigration to Israel
<br />1898 Theodore Herzl (father of Zionism-- b. 1860 d. 1904--visits Palestine)
<br />1904 2nd Aliyah
<br />
<br />1917-1948 British Mandate
<br />1919 3rd Aliyah
<br />1921 Jaffa riots
<br />1929 Palestinian riots
<br />1936-39 Arab rebellion
<br />1945-48 Jewish illegal immigration by ships (Aliyah Bet)
<br />Nov 29, 1947 UN votes to partition Palestine into 2 states, with Jerusalem becoming international
<br />1947-1949 Arabs reject plan and war for ownership of Palestine begins
<br />
<br />May 15, 1948 State of Israel established –fighting with 7 Arab states begins – War of Independence
<br />
<br />1956, 1967, 1973 I srael-Arab wars --the Sinai War, the Six Day’s War, the Yom Kippur War
<br />Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-45235983588160679182011-08-27T04:04:00.000-07:002011-08-27T04:17:31.453-07:00From Haifa Port: Late Summer Tour of Galilee and Golan- Jewish orientationYour tour guides: Mark Zober and Marilyn Farber – mobile phones MZ (054) 590-0223
<br />MF (054) 533-1945
<br />
<br />On a Sunday
<br />
<br />8:30 AM Pick up at Haifa Port
<br />
<br />9:30 Visit Zippori National Park: The city of Zippori (Sepphoris), described by the first century CE Jewish historian, Josephus Flavius, as "the ornament of all Galilee," is located on a hill in the Lower Galilee, midway between the Mediterranean and Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), with abundant spring water and a fertile valley around it.
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<br />12:00 Noon Visit Safed: Located at an elevation of 900 metres (2,953 ft), Safed is the highest city in the Galilee and of Israel. Due to its high elevation, Safed experiences warm summers and cold, often snowy, winters. Since the sixteenth century, Safed has been considered one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias; since that time, the city has remained a center of Kabbalah, also known as Jewish mysticism.
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<br />Due to its beautiful setting surrounded by pine forests and its mild climate, Safed has become a summer holiday resort frequented by Israelis and foreign visitors alike.
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<br />3:00 PM Vist Gamla: Known sometimes as the "Masada of the North," Gamla is most famous for its strong defense against the Romans in the Jewish Revolt in 66 A.D. The site is bordered on all sides by deep wadis of the Golan Heights
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<br />4:30 PM Peace Vista: Wonderful overview of Sea of Galilee
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<br />5:30 PM Tiberias Marina Promenade : Tiberias is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Kinneret), Lower Galilee, Israel. Established in 20 CE, it was named in honour of the emperor Tiberius.
<br />Tiberias has been venerated in Judaism since the middle of the 2nd century CE and since the 16th century has been considered one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed.[4] In the 2nd-10th centuries, Tiberias was the largest Jewish city in the Galilee and the political and religious hub of the Jews of Palestine. According to Christian tradition, Jesus performed several miracles in the Tiberias district, making it an important pilgrimage site for devout Christians. Tiberias has historically been known for its hot springs, believed to cure skin and other ailments, for thousands of years.
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<br />7:00 PM Return to Haifa Port
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<br />Depending on time and interest - also go to Har Bental to overlook and bunkers and stop at Capernaum and or Mt. of Beatitudes...even for Jewish oriented tour.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-40802158249834326852011-08-20T02:54:00.001-07:002011-08-20T02:59:26.903-07:00Sahara - Wonderful Restaurant at Nein near Mt. TaborIf you are driving in the Galilee, you will have one prominent geographic landmark - Mt. Tabor - popular stop for Christian tourist - Mt. Tabor is the traditional location of jesus' Transfiguration. Those crossing into Israel from Beit Shean heading for Mt. Tabor will find the village of Nein along the way. Hungary? Shahara is a wonderful restaurant suitable for large groups.
<br />
<br />The Review below comes from the Jerusalem Post.
<br />
<br />
<br />Sahara in the Galilee
<br />By YFTACH AND MERAV
<br />08/19/2011 16:59
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<br />A northern restaurant offers an authentic and delicious meal, as well as traditional hospitality
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<br />While driving in the North looking for a place to eat, there is no need to get lost in forgotten alleys of some industrial park or find yourself at a dead end after following your GPS instructions.
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<br />No need to dry the rivers of sweat down your back, either. If you find yourself in the area of Afula wondering where you can get a decent meal, Sahara may be just what you were hoping for. Located near a gas station on the road leading north from Afula, you can’t miss this impressive building – and you shouldn’t.
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<br />Built where an old khan once stood, the decor of the restaurant follows the fashion that was common in the area 150 years ago.
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<br />The stone used in the rebuilding was carefully collected by the owner from nearby villages. Keeping old traditions doesn’t end there. The cuisine is based on that of the Zuabi tribe, who arrived in that area from the Iraqi-Syrian border more than 200 years ago.
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<br />Before the meal, you can sit in the lounge that is set in the shade.
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<br />Lemonade or coffee is served by the attentive staff while you relax.
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<br />Opened in 1999, Sahara offers a cuisine known as Syrian-Shami, which is characterized by slow-cooking methods, use of local fresh produce and special seasoning mixtures. Cooking and baking are done in the wooden ovens (the tabun) or on the charcoal grill. There is no use of electric or gas stoves.
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<br />Freshly squeezed orange juice and water are served at your table before you even have a chance to look at the menu. The salads that follow are all fresh and crispy. We chose cauliflower in tehina sauce, which was very good; humous (also good); Moroccan carrot, chopped vegetables, peppers in garlic and green tehina, complemented by warm pita freshly out of the tabun outside. But don’t stuff yourself with the salads and bread because the meat and fish dishes cooked in the tabun or on the grill here are not to be missed.
<br />
<br />We chose the muhmar, a whole baby chicken in sumac, stuffed with bulgur, onions, ground lamb and pine nuts, baked in the tabun (NIS 55). The chicken was good but a little dry. The best dish of the meal was stuffed lamb neck, a dish served in many restaurants now, but here it had that extra something that made it superb. Hard to say if it was the quality of the meat, which was very good, the stuffing (rice and pine nuts) or the seasoning, but it was simply perfect. On the side we tasted the fricky, a green wheat salad and tabun-baked potatoes.
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<br />Another specialty at Sahara is lamb baked in the tabun over rice and yogurt sauce (NIS 95).
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<br />The finale was served on the vast porch overlooking the valley towards the Carmel Mountains and Nazareth.
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<br />Thousands of twinkling lights and a soft breeze allowed us to relax and enjoy the Oriental sweets; knaffe, baklava, watermelon and strong coffee.
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<br />Hillal Zuabi, one of the owners of the restaurant, is very proud of his place. He says all their suppliers are chosen very carefully and attain the standards of the chef of the Jordanian royal family, who created and designed the menu when he was in Israel a few years back.
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<br />The writer was a guest of the restaurant.
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<br />Sahara
<br />Not kosher
<br />At the crossroad near the Nien village,
<br />between Afula and Kfar Tabor
<br />Tel: (04) 642-5959
<br />An average meal costs NIS 80 –
<br />NIS 110 per person.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-87817345063609312472011-08-20T01:15:00.000-07:002011-08-20T01:26:28.009-07:00Tour the Galilee and Golan Heights from the Haifa Port
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<br />The Christian focused itinerary and the Jewish oriented route. You can travel with your own private party or you can join the semi-private or small group tours. Regardless of which option you choose, you will be picked up right from the port and safely returned back to the port in time for departure.
<br />
<br />On the Christian Northern Israel tour you can experience for yourself the historic locations and stunning scenery of the places where Jesus lived, preached and performed his miracles.
<br />
<br />Enjoy a picturesque drive from Haifa to the top of Mount Carmel for a panoramic view over the Haifa bay and the famous Baha'i Gardens. Next, travel along the plains of Armageddon to Nazareth - the place where Jesus spent his early years.
<br />
<br />In Nazareth, explore the amazing Basilica of the Annunciation, one of Christianity's most revered shrines and largest church in the Middle East. A remarkable 170-foot- high cupola that rises high above the upper church adds to the Basilica's grandeur and allows the interior to be illuminated with natural light.
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<br />Next, travel through Cana, the place where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into wine. Then onwards to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of loaves and fish. Visit the beautiful Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the famous Sermon on the Mount. Traveling on, visit Capernaum, located on the beautiful shores of the Sea of Galilee, considered the center of Jesus' ministry while he was living in this area. During your visit, you will see the ruins of an ancient synagogue where an impressive mosaic floor was recently discovered.
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<br />Continuing along the panoramic seashore you will arrive to the Yardenit baptismal site where the River Jordan separates from the Sea of Galilee. In this naturally scenic and symbolic setting, pilgrims from around the world come to perform baptismal ceremonies. On your relaxing ride back to the pier in Haifa, you will view Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration where Jesus appeared to his disciples in radiant light while speaking with Moses and Elijah.
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<br />On this day trip you will see Nazareth, Cana, Tabgha, Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee, Yardenit Baptismal Site, and the Haifa Bay and Baha'i Gardens.
<br />
<br />
<br />Start with a vist to the "Gem of the North" Zippori. The home Yehuda HaNessi who compiled the Mishna, This capital of the north over the last 2000 years has amazing Roman mosaics including the "Madonna of the North," a fantastic ancient synagogue. Next its onwards to the Jewish city of Safed (Tsfat in Hebrew) to visit historical
<br />
<br />It is also possible to visit Jerusalem from the port of Haifa but if you will also be docking in Ashdod it is recommended to visit Jerusalem from Ashdod to reduce the drive times to and from the port.
<br />
<br />We keep receiving great feedback for these shore excursions!
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<br />To get a price and itinerary via email and to check availability write us a note a markztours@gmail.com or skype mark at mzober.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-91977135301793123432011-08-17T19:47:00.000-07:002011-08-20T03:07:25.160-07:00Cruising on Royal Caribbean Line to Israel: Ashdod and Haifa Port:We have a customized, cost effective, tour for youShalom, if your are cruising on Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Sea or any of the other ships docking in Ashdod and/or Haifa ports you will want to read this post.
<br />
<br />Is suggest you contact me as soon as possible as I am getting booked up for the full eastern Caribbean cruise season.
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<br />
<br />Thank you very much for contacting me.
<br />
<br />With the eastern Mediterranean cruise season in full swing, I am specializing in customized, private small group tours from Ashdod and Haifa ports: Focus - the Galilee and Golan, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
<br />
<br />What is working best is for those of you looking for a acost effective, customized, private, reliable alternative to the land excursions offered by your cruise ship is for the interested cruise passenger to form a group of up to 10 participants using Cruise Critic or other method and work directly with a licensed Israeli tour guide to design the desired itinerary.
<br />
<br />I am already booked for many small group land excursions this later summer and fall of 2011. I do have some open days remaining.
<br />
<br />
<br />I am also working with couples who want a private tours as well.
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<br />The tour itineraries from Haifa port typically start with a view of the Baha'I Gardens and Terrace in Haifa and then onto the Galilee - most like to stop in the archaeological site of Zippori, then onto the Sea of Galilee and the Golan (Gamla Nature reserve is popular.) Other popular sites in the north are Akko, Zefat, the Hula Nature Reserve and visits to wineries on the Golan Heights at in Zichron Ya'acov on Mt. Carmel.
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<br />The orientation/theme of each tour depends on if the group is Jewish, christian or mixed.
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<br />For those of you who want something very unique and a special treat, I suggest a stop over at the Druze village of Daliat HaCarmel - a short drive from Haifa in the Camel Mountains. I strongly recommend a "Druze Experience" in the home - to eat at Nurah's Kitchen. We can top for Druze coffee and very special dessert - Kehteief. Or even better, enjoy a full lavish Druze lunch or dinner. Incidentally, our outstanding drivers, Rabiah and Zakhi live in Daliat - assuring a real cultural treat.
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<br />At Ashdod port, there are two very popular tour destinations - Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
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<br />The popular Jerusalem tour starts with a view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, a visit to the Old City's 4 quarters, the Davidson Archeologiical Park or City of David, Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) and Mt. Herzl (National Cemetery).
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<br />The favorite Dead Sea trip features going up on the cable car to Masada, a hike in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, visit to the Qumran archeological site where the Jewish Essene scribes wrote the Dead Sea scrolls and placed them in the caves nearby. We end the day bathing in the Dead Sea.
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<br />Let me know if you are interesting in a private, customized and cost effective tour from either or both Haifa and Ashdod ports and we can begin to turn your dream tour into reality at a reasonable price.
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<br />Shalom,
<br />
<br />Mark
<br />
<br />
<br />What guests are saying:
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<br />Ashdod; the gateway for visiting Jerusalem, what more can be said. Wanting to see the Holy City and simultaneously do some other unique activities I opted for a private excursion with Mark Zober (markztours@gmail.com). I will highly recommend this option as there is so little time and so much to see to include making your way through the thousands of tourists and crowded streets. It is the only way to see Jerusalem unless you have at least a week to spare. I highly recommend Mark to anyone wanting to see Jerusalem - he is very well educated, very reasonable, and is flexible and organized. Mark will customize any excursion to your needs. Besides the four main Jerusalem quarters, I asked Mark to have us do the City of David to include all the three underground tunnels. These tunnels were just recently discovered it was a great experience but be ready for some heavy duty walking. I limited my group to a total of only 10 people; maneuver the throngs of tourists staying small is wise. Jerusalem is an amazing city filled with so much history that one day is not enough; however Mark packed in as much as humanly possible for one day
<br />
<br />Mark Alan Zober, Ph.D.
<br />Licensed Israel Tour Guide
<br />Past President, Jerusalem Rotary Club (District 2490)
<br />465/5 Eliezer Kashani Street
<br />East Talpiot
<br />Jerusalem ISRAEL
<br />972-2-673-3882
<br />972-54-590-0223 Home/Office Jerusalem
<br />972-8-684-3401 Home/Office Ashkelon
<br />BLOG http://tourguides0607.blogspot.com/
<br />SKYPEID mzober
<br />
<br />http://vimeo.com/15034110
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<br />Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-66864969687910261252011-08-13T08:22:00.000-07:002011-08-13T18:34:55.304-07:00Land excursions from Ashdod and Haifa Ports.
<br />The best Mediterranean cruises today stop at Ashdod and Haifa ports giving passengers a wonderful opportunity to visit Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the Galilee and Golan Heights as well as the Sea of Galilee. As frequent cruisers ourselves, we like to hire local private guides whenever possible. With the information available today, it is also possible to do some self guiding that works out well. While we are professional guides and do love to private private tours out of Ashdod and Haifa ports, we will offer suggestions for self-guiding whenever possible.
<br />
<br />In the scenario below, where the first port is Haifa for two days, we recommend one day of self guiding in Haifa. Excellent public transportation including buses, taxis, a railway station and the Carmelit funicular are within easy walking distance of the port.
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<br />Below is a recommended combination of self guiding (one day in Haifa) and three days of touring the Galilee, Golan, Jerusalem and the Dead Sea areas.
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<br />Please do contact us with your questions to Mark and Marilyn markztours@gmail.com. We are on Skype at ID mzober and on mobile: Mark 972-54-590-0223.
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<br />Day One (Haifa Port) On your own.
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<br />It is quite easy to explore the city by public transport.
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<br />The Haifa Port located in the old center of the Namal/Harbor area. While the area is a bit run down, it is within walking distance of the German Colony at the foot of the Bahá'í Gardens, close to the Carmelit (funicular) up to the Carmel area of Haifa (trendy) and a short walk to the Louis Promenade view point of the Bahá'í Gardens from above.
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<br />25 yards from the entrance to the Carmelit on #1 Meginim St. is the Abu Yusef restaurant – gets positive reviews and frequented by locals – featuring maza assorted Middle East salads (humus, tehina, tabooli) and grilled fish and meat.
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<br />Day Two: Tour of the Galilee- Here there is the need to make some decisions based on preference and time constraints.
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<br />There are some fabulous sites in the area. If youur tour will be Jewish oriented. The listed sites and we should discuss and finalize.
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<br />Zippori National Park – Zippori was the central town of the Galilee during the Hasmonean, Roman, Muslim and Crusader periods. It was the home of Yehuda HaNesi who compiled the Mishna and the Sanhedrin (Jewish central religious authority).
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<br />Zefat – One of the 4 holy cities in Judaism ( Jerusalem, Hebron, Zefat and Tiberias). Important synagogues and artist quartere
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<br />Gamla National Park on the Golan Heights (the Masada of the north) is also a vulture reserve.
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<br />Akko – the Old City is not primarily a Jewish site – more Crusader and Ottoman – but has important Jewish significance as a Ottoman and later British prison held first the head of the Bahai faith and then was the place were many young Jewish martyrs held by the British were imprisoned, some were hung and escaped.
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<br />Tiberias – this a major Jewish community from @300-900 CE was the last place were the Sanhedrin was located.
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<br />For Christian oriented tours, you will need to consider Nazareth, Cana, sailing on the Sea of Galilee, visiting the 2000 year old "Jesus Boat" at Kibbutz Ginosar, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitude, Tabghe (Church of the Fish and Loaves), Kursi and other sites with Christian magnificence (e.g. baptismal experience at Yardenit).
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<br />Third Day – Jerusalem – pick up Ashdod Port
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<br />Here there are essential things to do and some variations based on preferences and time.
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<br />Mt. of Olives overview looking west to the Old City
<br />Walk through the 4 quarters (Armenian, Jewish, Christian and Muslim)
<br />Lunch Middle Eastern after Abu Shukri restaurant in the Old City.
<br />The Western Wall – plus Western Wall Tunnel Tour
<br />Davidson Archaeological Park featuring the the story of Jerusalem revolt of 70 CE and the crushing defeat at the hands of the Romans.
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<br />Then we have other options:
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<br />The City of David archeological site with the possible palace of King David and King Hezekiah's and the Canaanite Tunnels. This is only for those who like a bit of strenuous walking – but worth it!
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<br />Those who like museums can consider the Israel Museum, Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum.
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<br />Fourth Day – Dead Sea Region
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<br />Drive from Ashdod to the Dead Sea – on to Masada- going up on the cable car. I also suggest visitig the museum at Masada as a fabulous introduction to the site.
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<br />Ein Gedi Nature Reserve for a 1 ½ hour relatively easy walk observing wildlife (hyrax and ibex) along the way.
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<br />Qumran – the home of the Essene Torah scribes and caves where the Dead Sea scrolls where located.
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<br />Ending up bathing in the Dead Sea at Kalya Beach and
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<br />Back to Ashdod Port and <span style="font-style:italic;">bon voyage</span>.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-8146289210252788642011-08-05T17:17:00.000-07:002011-08-05T18:07:10.239-07:00Quality Tours in Israel: Land Excursions from Ashdod and Haifa Ports in August, September and OctoberDear Fellow Cruisers,<br /><br />My wife, Marilyn Farber, and I are both experienced, licensed Israeli tour guides. We realize that the summer/fall 2011 Mediterranean cruise season includes wonderful opportunities to visit Israel with port stops in Ashdod and Haifa.<br /><br />We are also avid cruisers and enjoy putting together private land excursions when we travel. So we understand you desire to customize your tour and make it cost effective.<br /><br />Ashdod Port is the gateway to Jerusalem: 1 hour to Jerusalem and 1 1/2 hours to the Dead Sea. For those of you who are docking in Ashdod for two days, many of our guests choice too sleep in Jerusalem to get a very early start for the Dead Sea after a full day touring Jerusalem. [We recommend nice hotels at @$125 USD for a room and breakfast.]<br /><br />Haifa Port is the gateway to the Galilee and Golan Heights. A one day tour would start with a view from above of the magnificient Bahai Gardens and and Terrace then on to the Galilee and Golan - this can be a Christian pilgrimage oriented trip, Jewish Experience, archeological focus - as you wish. some guest wish to visit Tel Aviv-Jaffa - another great scenic, historic and cultural treat.<br /><br />The idea "group" is one or two couples - we use a qualified chauffeur with large, air conditioned taxi. The less intimate but more cost effective option is a group of up to 10 persons in an air conditioned mini van- again with qualified chauffeur. Both options cost a total per group of $800 USD for the day (not including entry fees, meals and shoppiring.) <br /><br />Our method of operation is to get your initial inquiry, ideally with a wish list of sites and experiences you desire. We then work together to customize the experience to your wishes. <br /><br />We have a first come, first serve policy. We do get multiple requests from each cruise ship. If we are already booked, we will refer you to another outstanding licensed guide. So, please try to make your inquiries early - 2 to 3 months in adance is most effective. We do make it a priority to guide guests who want to join us for multi-day tours (e.g. Ashdod Port day one Jerusalem, day two Dead Sea). <br /><br />Bon voyage!!!<br /><br />Looking forward to hearing from you - my email is markztours@gmail.com, telephone/mobile number 972-54-590-0223 and Skype Id mzober.Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8120573019124237262.post-37946099635144043952011-08-05T08:15:00.000-07:002011-08-05T08:16:06.709-07:00Christian Holy Land Tour SampleSample Christian Pilgrimage Tour<br /><br />Arrive Sunday October xx<br /><br />Departure Sunday October xx+10 days<br /><br />Tiberias Hotel 2 nights Ariston Hotel<br />046790244<br />046790245<br />046790246<br />Daniel Carmel Boat 054. 6864247<br />Panorama hotel Ras el Amud 4 nights <br />026284887<br /><br />Itinerary<br /><br />Sunday October day 1<br />Airport Pick up eta <br />Smile 0576526555<br />Check in Ariston Hotel <br />Breakfast and wake up call <br />Mount of Beatitudes<br />Tabghe<br />Capernaum<br />1:00 pm Boat ride Daniel Carmel Ginosar<br />Galilee Experience 046723620<br />Overnight Ariston Hotel<br /><br />Monday October day 2<br />Yardenit<br />Cans<br />Nazareth<br />Caesarea Philippi Banias<br />Overnight Ariston Hotel<br /><br />Tuesday October day 3<br />Checkout Ariston Hotel<br />Megiddo<br />Muchraka Mount Carmel<br />Haifa Promsnade Bahai gardens<br />Caesarea Maritima and Aquaduct <br />Check in Panorama Hotel Dinner<br /><br />Wednesday October day 4<br />Mount of Olives<br />Garden of Gethsemane <br />Peter en Gallucantu<br />Last Supper Room<br />Western Wall<br />Jewish Quarter<br />Christian Quarter<br />Overnight Panorama Hotel<br /><br />Thusday October day 5<br />8:45 am Confirmed Yad Vashem<br />Israel Museum<br />Dead Sea Scrolls Second Yemple Model<br />Bethlehem <br />Overnight Panorama hotel<br /><br />Saturday October day 6<br />Checkout Inbar Arad Hotel<br />Temple Mount <br />Via dolorosa<br />Garden Tomb 5:00 pm<br />Check in Holyland East Hotel<br /><br /><br />Friday October day 7<br />Check out panorama hotel <br />Dead Sea<br />Qumran <br />Masada<br />Checkin Inbar Arsd Hotel 089973303<br /><br />Sunday October day 8<br />Checkout Holyland Hotel<br />Free day <br /><br />After lunch.......late checkout <br />Ella valley<br />Beit Shemesh<br />Depart Ben Gurion <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Rotarian Israeli Tour Guideshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18008707537247015499noreply@blogger.com0