Israel Archives - Rachel's Ruminations

Defense (with a view) at Belvoir Fortress

Rachel Heller — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 16:43:53 +0000

The Crusaders, arriving in what is now Israel back in the 12th century, didn’t waste any time staking their claim. Their effort to dominate and control the “holy land” for Christianity was bloody and misguided and, in many ways, shameful. Yet it has left us some fascinating historical structures to study and enjoy. I’ve already...

The post Defense (with a view) at Belvoir Fortress appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Um el Kanatir: ancient synagogue in the Golan Heights

Rachel Heller — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 16:41:59 +0000

When I write about off-the-beaten-path sights, I don’t necessarily mean that they’re hard to get to. I went to Um el Kanatir in the Golan Heights on the advice of Sara Zafrir, owner of Genghis Khan in the Golan, who insisted it was worth the effort. (Disclosure: I received two free nights in Sara’s hostel in...

The post Um el Kanatir: ancient synagogue in the Golan Heights appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Zippori National Park and its spectacular mosaics

Rachel Heller — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 15:27:19 +0000

“Sixteen miles all around Zippori is a land flowing with milk and honey.” This sentence from the Jerusalem Talmud (Bichurim 71d) opens the text given to visitors to Zippori National Park, north of Nazareth. On the spring day when I visited, I could believe it: carpets of wildflowers covered the rolling hills in all directions....

The post Zippori National Park and its spectacular mosaics appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Bible Lands Museum: The history behind the Bible

Rachel Heller — Fri, 26 May 2017 16:35:16 +0000

The premise, or perhaps I should say the Unique Selling Point, of the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem is to illustrate each and every civilization mentioned in the Bible. Unlike some Bible museums, this one is not dogmatic: it shows the actual history of each civilization. Here, the Bible isn’t just a religious document: the stories...

The post Bible Lands Museum: The history behind the Bible appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Your Trip to Israel: 5 Christian sites in the Galilee

Rachel Heller — Wed, 10 May 2017 20:40:30 +0000

Are you considering a trip to Israel? Certainly you should visit Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, and perhaps Masada and Bethlehem. While I’m not a Christian, all religions are interesting to me in terms of their cultural and historical importance. In Israel, I’ve visited Muslim sites, of which the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is...

The post Your Trip to Israel: 5 Christian sites in the Galilee appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Bitemojo: A new twist on culinary tours

Rachel Heller — Tue, 02 May 2017 14:16:57 +0000

A self-guided food tour, a great idea because you can take your time!

The post Bitemojo: A new twist on culinary tours appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Akko old city (a.k.a. Acre): Jerusalem without the politics

Rachel Heller — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 13:59:17 +0000

Two separate people in 2 separate parts of Israel advised me to "go see Akko old city; it’s Jerusalem without the politics.” They were right.

The post Akko old city (a.k.a. Acre): Jerusalem without the politics appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

At my age? Staying in Hostels in Israel

Rachel Heller — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 16:25:19 +0000

I haven’t stayed in a hostel in years. In a post I wrote back in 2007, I blamed it on the shared shower, and described how awful they can be. It’s not just that, though. As I get older, I have more trouble sleeping. I wake up easily, and then I’m grumpy the next day...

The post At my age? Staying in Hostels in Israel appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Susita National Park in the Golan Heights: a special off-the-beaten-track site

Rachel Heller — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 14:20:14 +0000

I never would have visited Susita if it hadn’t been for Sara Zafrir, owner of Genghis Khan in the Golan. When I asked her what to see in the Golan Heights, she insisted that this was a “must-see.” I’m so glad I took her advice. Disclosure: Sara sponsored me to stay in one of her...

The post Susita National Park in the Golan Heights: a special off-the-beaten-track site appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.

Going to Jerusalem? First Visit the Tower of David

Rachel Heller — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:25:17 +0000

As one of the first things visitors see on entering the Old City of Jerusalem through the Jaffa Gate, the Tower of David makes an imposing impression, with its massive stone walls and towers topped with crenellations. The first thing your tour guide will say is that this citadel has nothing to do with King David from the...

The post Going to Jerusalem? First Visit the Tower of David appeared first on Rachel's Ruminations.