Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Day 10 (Oops)

Tuesday, March 6- First, I have to apologize about missing two days of blogging.  I wish I had a reason but it really comes down to laziness and a "Back to the Future" marathon (every night at the same time is a different "Back to the Future" movie on).  Yesterday was our free day.  Everyone did something different but one thing that we all did was add money to the Israeli economy.  Today we started a long journey into the desert.  Our first stop was Qumran.  Qumran (Hebrew: קומראן‎)  is an archaeological site in the West Bank. It is located on a dry plateau about a mile inland from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. It is best known as the settlement nearest to the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden, caves in the sheer desert cliffs and beneath, in the marl terrace.    Next we drove down a little from Qumran to Masada.  Once there, we had to take a cable car up to the top.  Masada is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the Southern District of Israel, on top of an isolated rock plateau, or horst, on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert, overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada is best known for the violence that occurred there in the first century CE. In the final accords of the First Jewish–Roman War, the Siege of Masada by troops of the Roman Empire led to the mass suicide of the Sicarii rebels. Our final stop of the day was at the Dead Sea.  There most of the group (excluding me) took a dip in the Dead Sea (when a say a dip I really mean a float).  The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. Its surface and shores are 1,388 ft below sea level, making it the Earth's lowest elevation on land. Another great day of touring!  Tomorrow we get to visit Vad Vashem the Israeli Holocaust Museum; looking forward d to that!  Till tomorrow.  Shalom, Ian

Saturday, March 3 2012: Day 7

Saturday, Mar. 3 - After breakfast, we loaded the bus and traveled to the Church of the Holy . The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a church within the walled Old City of Jerusalem.  The site is venerated as Golgotha or Calvary, where Jesus was crucified, and is said also to contain the place where Jesus was buried. Today it also serves as the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, while control of the building is shared between several Christian churches and secular entities in complicated arrangements essentially unchanged for centuries.   We then started our journey on the Via Dolorosa (the way of the cross) backwards.  Stations 10-14 are located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  The Via Dolorosa is a street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem, held to be the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way to his crucifixion.  We ended the Via Dolorosa with a visit to the Pools of Bethesda.  The Pool of Bethesda is a pool of water in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, on the path of the Beth Zeta Valley. The Gospel of John describes such a pool in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. It is associated with healing.  With in the complex is St. Anne's Church, the traditional site of Mary's birth.  Here we stopped to hear ourselves sing; St. Anne’s Church has great acoustics.  Our final stop of the day was to the Israel Museum.  Here we saw the Dead Sea Scrolls, q huge model of Jerusalem in the days of Jesus, and the newly revamped Archeology Wing.   Another fulfilled, educational day even though it was cold and rainy again.  Tomorrow it is to clear up and by Monday is supposed to be nice...finally.  Hope all is well back in the states!  Shalom, Ian 

Friday, March 2, 2012: Day 6

Friday, Mar. 2 -  Although the days aren't any shorter here in Israel, today will be a short blog because of our shortened day (schedule).  Again this was due to the snowy weather.  Please see pictures below and yes that is snow.  After breakfast and a brief discussion, we left the King Solomon and headed to Bethlehem.  Once in Bethlehem, we visited  Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.  The Church of the Nativity is the traditional site of Jesus' birth.  What a day to be in Bethlehem and for it to be snowing.  We ate at a very nice local restaurant called St. George's.  From lunch we did what most love to do on the trip and that is to shop.  Hopefully your accounts back home are not empty.  We left Bethlehem and after a quick trip around the walls of the "Old City", we arrived back home to the King Solomon.  Tonight we welcome in Sabbath...Shabbat Shalom from Israel, Ian 

Thursday, March 1, 2012: Day 5

Thursday, Mar. 1 -  Another day in Israel.  Today is the last day that we will be spending in the Golan Heights/Galilee area.  I had mentioned that yesterday we visited the Syrian Border (of course we did not go into Syria; just looked from our bus), today that same area is under 10 inches of snow.  Again, I cannot believe that I have to come to Israel to have snowy conditions; even Jerusalem got some snow last night and may get more today.   Our first stop of the day was Tabgha.  Tabgha is an area situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It is the traditional site of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus in Christianity.  From Tabgha we headed to Kibbutz Ginosar to see the ancient Galilee Boat ("Jesus Boat") found in the mud on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in 1986.  This boat can be traced back to a period period of 25 AD to 75 AD.   Loading the tour bus and after a short trip around the Sea of Galilee, we journeyed to the Jordan River.  The Jordan River is a  156 mile long river flowing through the Sea of Galilee and to the Dead Sea. In Christian tradition, the Jordan River is the river that Jesus was baptized in by John the Baptist.   Following this tradition, most in the group reaffirmed the committee they had may through their first baptism and a couple got baptized for the first time!  From the Jordan River, we traveled past the Kinneret Cemetery for an insight into the Zionist pioneering movement. We learned about Rachel Bluwstein Sela who was a Hebrew poet.  She immigrated to Israel in 1909 from Russia. She is known by her first name Rachel (Hebrew: רחל‎) or as Rachel the Poetess. Rachel is known for her lyrical style, briefness of her poems, and the revolutionary simplicity of her conversational tone.  Two themes flow through her poems: her love of the Land and her despair of not being able to have children.  Climbing up the mountain range, we made our way to Nazareth to see the Church of the Annunciation.   The church is at the traditional location of where God announced to Mary that she would carry the child of God.  Nazareth is the childhood home of Jesus.  It is now a large and growing city.  Nazareth is actually two different cities: Lower Nazareth which is mostly Arab Muslims with a minority of Arab Christians and Upper Nazareth which is a Jewish community.   Growing tried, cold and anxious to get to Jerusalem, we made our last stop of the day at the Tel known as Megiddo.  In Revelations this area is where the last battle will take place: Armageddon. The site itself is called "Solomon's Stables" even though it is now known that it couldn't be Solomon's Stables but Ahab's Stables. A new route for us, we travelled down the new Trans-Israel Highway (Rte 6) towards Jerusalem.  Once in Jerusalem, we arrived to our home away from home (I say this because we will be here for 7 nights) the King Solomon Hotel.  The King Solomon is situated in downtown Jerusalem in walking distance of the "Old City" of Jerusalem. Another great day of touring, although filled with rain and cold weather.  We are all well and having a great time, staying healthy, but somewhat sleep deprived.  Off to bed. Shalom, Ian

Wednesday, February 29, 2012: Day 4

Wednesday, Feb. 29 - Another morning being woken up by the ringing of our phone, we ate breakfast and then headed out for a tour our kibbutz, Kfar Blum.  Kfar Blum got it's name from the once Prime Minister of France from 1936-37 and 1947, Leon Blum.  A Jewish fellow, Blum never lived in Israel but did send a lot of money to help start this particular Kibbutz.  Our tour guide explained to us that Kfar Blum is going through a change from a Socialist/Communist Community to a Capitalist Community (hoping my World History class knows what I am talking about).  This change is causing more younger Israelis to come or join the Kibbutz movement. After the tour, Mike (our tour guide) gave an impromptu talk about the history of Israel.  The talk took us from World War I through the 1973, Yom Kippur War.  This talk gave our group the history lesson needed to understand the situation in the Middle East, especially in Israel and the background knowledge for our later journey to the Lebanese/Syrian borders and Golan Heights.     After some rearranging due to inclement weather (the rain that we were supposed to get yesterday came today), we left the kibbutz and headed north to the Hula Nature Reserve. The Hula Nature Reserve was developed to help preserve the indigenous animal species and plants in the area of the Golan Heights and to create a safe haven for the many birds that migrate through Israel.   There we watched an interesting movie (in 3D) about these migration patterns of birds through Israel to their final destination of Africa.  Armed with umbrellas and rain jackets, we stopped at the site of a Syrian Bunker Position in the Golan Heights.  The Golan Heights, prior to the 1967 War, were controlled by Syria; now in Israeli hands. Mike then told us one of my favorite stories about Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy sent to Syria in 1965.  Cohen convinced the Syrians to plant u trees near the bunkers to provide shade to the  Syrian troops.  Once they planted the trees, Cohen radioed back to Israel to hit those spots the most.  Cohen was eventually caught and publicly executed.  Traveling from there, we stopped at another lookout.  There we could see into Syria, learn more about the Golan Heights and here about the United Nations presence in this area. Back to the safety of the bus, we made our way to Banias.  From the bus, Mike explained some fact and details about Banias (Caesarea Philippi).  Caesarea Philippi was an ancient Roman city located at the southwestern base of Mount Hermon. The city was located within the region known as the "Panion" (the region of the Greek god Pan). Named after the deity associated with the grotto and shrines close to the spring called "Paneas".  Some braved the weather and walked around the site. Then we headed off to Tel Dan ("from Dan to Beersheba").  Again due to bad weather, Mike allowed us to use the  bus as a dry/warm place and he explained the significance of Tel Dan.  Dan (Hebrew: דן‎), is a city mentioned in the Bible, described as the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel, belonging to the Tribe of Dan. After a long day on the bus and a day filled with what we would say is "bad" weather.  We have to remember that what may be "bad" to us may be "good" to another; like the rain.  Although it may be bad for or trip, this rain is wonderful for Israel.  After a short ride and long day, we returned to the kibbutz, Kfar Blum.  After this cold day, some of us are excited to use the spa services at the hotel which include: a foot massaging spa, sauna, and rain cave. To dinner and an evening lecture on contemporary Israel given by Mike.  Another day tomorrow in the Galilee and then off to Jerusalem.  Till then...Shalom, Ian

Sending greetings to CASHS from Israel

Making this short but wanted to make sure that I said Hello! I haven't been able to upload videos but I have posted some photos. Make sure that you check in on Thursday; my plan is to try to upload a video. We'll see if I can get it to work. Talking about work; make sure that you are doing your work, not giving any problems or causing problems and please be respectful! Hope that y'all are doing well and having fun in school! Keep in touch. Shalom, Mr. Jacobs

Tuesday, February 28, 2012: Day 3

Tuesday, Feb. 28 - After a short lecture from our friends at Nes Ammim, we set off on a drive to the Mount of Beatitudes. The Mount of the Beatitudes refers to the hill in northern Israel where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. The traditional location for the Mount of Beatitudes is on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret. A Byzantine church was erected near the current site in the 4th century, and it was used until the 7th century. Remains of a cistern and a monastery are still visible. The current Roman Catholic Franciscan chapel was built in 1938. From there we traveled to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and loaded a boat to sail across.  The day was a bit windy and the forecasters were calling for rain.  Although it never rained, the scriptures came to life and one could imagine being on the Sea during a storm; the chaos of the storm and the calming presence of Jesus.    Stopping for lunch on the shores of the Galilee, we had a lunch of St. Peter's Fish.   St. Peter's Fish is simply Tilapia. The name "St. Peter's Fish" comes from the story in the Gospel of Matthew about the apostle Peter catching a fish that carried a coin in its mouth. After lunch, we traveled to Capernaum.  Capernaum was a fishing village in the time of the Hasmoneans. Located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  The town was reported to have been the home of the apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. According to Luke, Jesus taught in the synagogue in Capernaum on Sabbath. Jesus then healed a man who had the spirit of an unclean devil and healed a fever in Simon Peter's mother-in-law. It is also the place where a Roman Centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. Capernaum is also mentioned in the Gospel of Mark as the location of the famous healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof to reach Jesus. Another short bus ride took us to Bethsaida. Bethsaida ("house of fishing") is a place mentioned in the New Testament. Bethsaida is also the hometown of Philip, Nathaniel, Andrew, and Peter.   Many times people ask why I continue to Israel (this being my 10th trip to the Holyland) and I respond the same every time; first, I love the land/State of Israel and secondly, it's like your favorite movie, every time you watch it you see something new.  At Bethsaida this happened, we  were able to go to a site that I  have never been (actually that Dr. Harter had never been to either, WOW).  The site was the gate to the 9th century BC city of  Geshur mentioned in the Hebrew scriptures.  Another busy day has left us all very tired (we also may be suffering from jet  lag).  Wishing you all the best from Israel...Shalom.

Where's Flat Stanley?

Well, Flat Stanley has made it to Israel! Here he is in a little patch of flowers. Although this location is not too exciting, please check back to see where Flat Stanley shows up next. Have a wonderful day at school! Shalom, Mr. Jacobs

Monday, February 27, 2012: Day 2

Monday, Feb. 27 - Our first stop of the day is a visit to Herod's great city of Caesarea, with its Roman theater.  Caesarea Maritima (as it is also known as) was a city and harbor built by Herod the Great about 25–13 BC. Today, its ruins lie on the Mediterranean coast of Israel about halfway between the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa.  According to the Acts of the Apostles, Caesarea was first introduced to Christianity when Peter the apostle baptized Cornelius the Centurion, his household, and his soldiers. This was the first time any Apostle had preached to the Gentiles and before Paul's first missionary journey.   We continued to Mt. Carmel (site of Elijah's story).  Mount Carmel is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. In mainstream Jewish, Christian, and Islamic thought, Elijah is indelibly associated with the mountain, and he is regarded as having sometimes resided in a grotto on the mountain. In the Books of Kings, Elijah challenges 450 prophets of a particular Baal to a contest at the altar on Mount Carmel to determine whose deity was genuinely in control of the Kingdom of Israel. To finish the day, we visited the Jewish catacombs of Bet She'arim.  Bet She'arim (Hebrew: בֵּית שְׁעָרִים‎‎), literally "The Strangers House", is the archeological site of a Jewish town and a large number of ancient rock-cut Jewish tombs.  After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Sanhedrin moved to Bet She'arim. Rabbi Judah HaNasi, head of the Sanhedrin and compiler of the Mishna, lived there. In the last seventeen years of his life, he moved to Sepphoris for health reasons, but planned his burial in Bet She'arim on land he received as a gift from his friend, the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. The most desired burial place for Jews was the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, but in 135 CE, when Jews were barred from the area, Bet She'arim became an alternative.  We continued to our next home, Nes Ammim Guest House. Nes Ammim is a Christian community in the northern district of Israel. Close to the towns of Acre and Nahariya, in the western Galilee region.  It was founded by European Christians as a sign of solidarity with the Jewish People after the Holocaust. That was just day one!  Keep on following and commenting...Till tomorrow, Shalom!