Winter trip to the north of Israel

10:00 Our visit focused on the Jewish quarter and its alleyways, old synagogues, and of course the desire to experience a different Purim atmosphere than the one we know. We started in the main art gallery street, Beit Yosef St. It is a long street, out of which a number of alleys branch out to connect to parallel streets. On the street entrance, there’s a fresh- squeezed juice bar. In the summer, the owner squeezes pomegranates on the spot, and in winter- citrus fruit. The street itself and its surroundings are full of Judaica stores and art galleries. One of the more interesting places is a gallery which sells different Tallitot and you can see them being woven on the spot. Another interesting shop is Safed Candles, which has a great variety of colorful candles, as well as wax sculptures, some depicting biblical stories. From the gallery street, we then descended through the alleyways to two synagogues: HaARI and Abuhav. HaARI (Rabbi Isaac Luria), who is known as the father of contemporary Kabbalah, settled in Safed in 1569 and lived in it for three years, until his passing away at the age of 38. The compound in which the synagogue is located today used to be a field outside the city. It is told that in those days, HaARI used to welcome in the Shabbat with his disciples in that place, wearing white. Some hold that the synagogue was built in the early 16th century, a few years after HaARI’s death, by Greek immigrants originating in Spain. The synagogue was destroyed in the great earthquake that happened in Safed in 1837, and was rebuilt in 1857. The most prominent thing inside the synagogue is the great Torah Ark, which is wood- carved and stands tall. The Ark has many colorful carvings of Jewish symbols, flora, fauna, and more. We continued from HaARI Synagogue to Abuhav Synagogue. The temple was built in the 16th century, and is named after Rabbi Isaac Abuhav who lived during the 15th century in Spain. In it, you’ll find the original Torah Scrolls written by Rabbi Isaac Abuhav himself. The Sephardi immigrants (Olim) who arrived in Safed in the 16th century brought the Torah Scrolls with them, and they are taken out to be read on three specific times a year: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Shavuot. It is told that in one of the great earthquakes that frequented the city the whole place was ruined, except for the eastern wall, in which resided The Torah Ark and The Torah Scrolls. Inside the synagogue, in the center of the hall, is a raised wooden platform painted blue, and the attending audience sits around it facing it. The walls are white and painted with depictions of fruit- bearing trees, the symbols of the 12 tribes, musical instruments that were used in The Temple, and more. While walking through the alleyways we followed the signage leading the way to Kadosh Cheeses. When we arrived there, we rang the doorbell and the owners showed us into a room in which we could purchase the cheeses. The proprietor brought out the selection of cheeses they produce from the fridge in the room, gave us tastings and coffee. The cheeses are excellent: they produce Safed Cheese of course, as well as very delectable hard cheeses. It was difficult to choose what to buy for home out of all the goodness we were offered a taste of.

10:00

15:00 This place is very interesting to visit . The lake is an artificial one, and is located in the Hula Valley. Originally, the place was a swamp until the 1950’s, at which time it was drained. In the 1990’s the same territory was re- flooded as part of a restoration project. Today, the lake constitutes a major stopover for many different migratory birds, which fly over the Syrian-African Rift Valley from Europe to Africa. Some choose to pass the winter months in the lake and not continue their journey to Africa. Early November is a time in which migrating birds often frequent the lake. During our visit, not only a multitude of birds visited the place, but also a multitude of visitors. There is an 8.5-kilometer trail around the lake, which gives access to different parts of it and allows for flora and fauna observation. One can tour the park in many ways: personal or family bicycles are available for renting, as well as golf carts. There are also organized tours using ‘Safari Wagons’. We have toured in safari wagons twice in the past, in different seasons and different parts of the day. The tour is in a wagon hitched to a tractor, during which one enters areas that are off limits otherwise, and it allows close observation of the park’s wildlife. We felt like National Geographic field photographers- the tour is highly recommended. It also requires pre- registration.

Wikipedia description

We arrived here and really enjoy the food, service and the overall atmosphere. 2 kids enjoyed their meals and played at the lawn near by. Don't skip this place espesially their Pizza truck which holds real italian oven inside.

The Golan - Banias Nature Reserve Banias Nature Reserve Banias Nature Reserve 5/10 The Banias, whose Hebrew name is Hermon River, is a nature reserve that includes abundant running water, waterfalls and springs, which flow in the shade of plane trees, tangle of vines, shrubs, woodland vegetation riverbanks and archaeological treasures scattered along the paths. The Banias River is one of the three tributaries of the Jordan alongside the Dan and the Snir. We will start our track at the Cave Of Pan. The cave is located at an impressive cliff where rock doves nest and you can watch rock rabbits tanning for pleasure. At rainy winters the cave floor fills with water and becomes a pool. In front of the Cave Of Pan a western wall that is affiliated with the Temple of Augustus was discovered, it was built by Herod for the god of shepherds Pan. Beyond this extension remains of another temple that was probably dedicated to the goddess of the good city was discovered. We will climb to the top of the cliff to an amzing lookout: From the north we'll be overlooking the Hermon, impressive in height even when not covered in white, from the east - the Golan Heights, from the west the Banias Reserve, the Hula Valley and the Naftali Mountains. From the lookout we will continue along the cliff till we get to a small white building with a dome that is associated with the tomb of Nabi Al Khader. This site is sacred to the Druze and Muslims. From there we will descend safely to the green marked path back to the Banias Pools. From the pools starts a comfortable blue marked trail leading to an iron and wooden bridge towards the southern bank of the river. We will go under highway 99 that leads to Kiryat Shmona. Here the waters of the Nimrod River meet with the turbulent waters of the Banias. Later we'll get to Matruf mill – an active mill driven by water power. The water is carried to the roof of the mill from Hermon River, falling through the stone made chimney into the basement and turn three paddle wheels connected to the millstones. Matruf mill is used by the Druze villages natives of the northern Golan Heights: Misada and Ein Kinia, who mill their grain in it. Next to the mill there is a bakery where we can enjoy Druze pitas and hot drinks. We will continue in the blue path towards "the officers swimming pool" and the Banias waterfall along the channel with the water flow. The water flow in this part of the river is increased and flooding as a result from the meeting of the Banias river and Saar River. A wide path will lead us to the Ein Hilo, a fountain with warmer waters than the Banias who served as a bathing place for Syrian officers who were in the area until 1967. For this purpose, a concrete pool that captures the spring was built. Near the officers swimming pool, the trail splits and we'll choose the left one that takes us back to the parking lot through the impressive palace of King Agrippas from the beginning of the first century AD. From there we will go north with the path till the entrance gate to the park.

Wikipedia description

Right from the parking lot we will notice spectacular fortifications, the high wall and the rare quality of construction of Nimrod castle, named after the Biblical hero, which is located in the northern Golan Heights at an altitude of 815 meters. Near the castle gate we will go down to the secret door that leads to the moat surrounding the fort. From here we will continue in the direction of the arrow that marks the path. The main and impressive fort gate features a convoluted entrance, arrow slits and a post from which one could pour boiling oil on intruders. A short distance from the gate we will see the great stone commemorating the Muslim Banias governor who built the fort in 1228, as part of the long struggle waged between Muslims and Crusaders on the land of Israel. We will continue to the Knight Halls, where we will see shooting holes in their walls. From the observation deck in the main room we will be able look west to the Hula Valley. In front of us we will see the Galilee ridge and southern Lebanon. Later we will continue to track the big cistern vaulted ceiling, which served as the fort's main water reservoir. We will continue to the "beautiful tower", a guard tower which received this name because of its stone-cutting, construction and finishing quality. From here we will climb towards the Tower of Courage (The Dungeon), built as an inner fortress built so that it could withstand a siege in case the main fort was to be overrun. Migdal Oz features a marvelous view to Mount Hermon and the northern Golan Heights, and the wooded gorge of the Govta River which flows from Mount Hermon near the foot of the fortress. At the end of the 13th century, with the final expulsion of the Crusaders from Israel, the need for a fort had decreased. In the 15th century it became a prison and was abandoned at the beginning of the Ottoman period.

13:00 lunch Food was good and plentiful. Personnel is friendly. The place is a little crowded, and most of seating is outside. View is great.

15:00 At just over 1,000 metres above sea level, Mount Bental in the north of the Golan Heights is one of a series of hills and mountains in the area which are in fact the remnants of the long extinct volcanoes which produced the signature grey basalt stone of the area. Situated right next to Merom Golan – the first kibbutz established on the Golan just weeks after the Six Day war. The mountain hosts an army out-post where visitors can walk along the trenches and descend the steps leading down into the underground living quarters to get an idea of life on the front lines. From Mount Bental you can see Mount Avital just to the south, where an army monitoring post keeps track of Syrian military activity. Some four kilometres to the east lies Syria and closest to the border is the ruined town of Kuneitra which was first taken during the Six Day War and then returned to Syria under the 1974 disengagement agreement, but never rebuilt. Coffee, snacks and toilet facilities are available at ‘Coffee Anan’ on the summit of the mountain, the highest café in Israel.

Jordan River Promenade: Hiking from Kibbutz Kfar Blum to Kibbuz Sde Nehemia (1 Km) and Back. This trail also known as Shvil Ami, or Ami’s Trail, the Jordan River Promenade is a delightful, paved walkway that follows along the flowing waters of Israel’s most famous stream. It runs above the Jordan River between Kibbutz Sde Nehemia and Kibbutz Kfar Blum and is named for local teen Ami Peled, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1990 while riding his bike.

Wikipedia description

20:00 Dinner Ask any local about their favorite place to eat and they will direct you toward this restaurant tucked into a small shopping center near Kibbutz Hagoshrim. The menu has a hearty selection of pastas, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes, all with a contemporary Middle Eastern touch. It sits opposite Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends when the place is packed with locals, and for good reason.

9:00 breakfast Great coffee lovely service wonderful food. Highly recommended.

11:00 Tel Dan, the largest spring in the country, there is a small shady jungle with plenty of running water and vegetation. A beautiful walking path fraught with surprises like an old flour mill, charming brooks, ancient trees, a cold wading pool and the remains of the ancient biblical city of Dan. We'll start of the 1.5km walking track from the parking lot following the sound of roaring water from the river channel. About 600 meters after starting the trip, we get to the Dan spring. Mount Hermon residue seeps into the mountain and are pour forth Ein Dan fountain, which provides Jordan half the water flowing to the Sea of ​​Galilee and hence it's great importance the Israeli water economy. From the fountain we'll continue along the path while jumping and skipping over large rocks with water running underneath them and reach a giant and burned Atlantic Pistacia at least 2000 years old, which was enjoyed by the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Crusaders, Mamelukes, the Turks and only an Israeli smoker who wasn't careful a few years back took the life of this ancient Pistacia. From the burnt stump starts a trail that goes left to Tel Dan, the impressive ruins of the biblical Dan. Dan was a tremendous city which started in the Canaanite period, through the Israeli period, Persian and Hellenistic to the Roman period. The symbol of the mound (Tel) is his arch Canaanite gate which is probably the most ancient in the world. Touring the Tel discovers a huge wall a wide gate and fine street paving. Within the walls, the street expends into a plaza with the king's throne and the judge's bench. From there we will go to the House of Stages, here Jeroboam Ben Nebat set up the Golden Calf and subsequently it was said that he wronged Israel. If we turn to the right from the Pistacia, we'll get to the flour mill of more than one hundred and fifty years which operated until 1948. From there we'll get very quickly to a cold, clear water pool where we can soak in especially during the hot summer days. From the wading pool, we will continue with the path and after a few hundred meters we will reach the beginning of the track and parking.

13:00 Excellent food, excellent service excellent vegan options, they need to make an effort to make vegan chai and at least two options of vegan desserts.

15:00 Nahal Snir winter trail - 1 hour The Reserve has two walking trails, one- a winter trail, and the other- a summer trail. The path begins about 200m beyond the entrance and we followed the trail marks toward the Tapline Reservoir. We set out along an easy to walk trail for about ten minutes, until we got to a large water reservoir that attracts water birds to it. We sat on the benches near the reservoir and watched the birds that were there at the time (there were very few), enjoying the sight and Mt. Hermon in the distance. Roee was very interested in anything to do with the depth and size of the reservoir at the time. We then continued on to the Snir Stream Overlook, pleasantly walking for 20 minutes. Walking, all along the trail is very convenient. The trail end- point is the lookout toward Lebanon. The kids were very interested in knowing whether the houses they saw in the distance are within Lebanon, and whether the trail seen ahead marks the border. We sat for a few minutes, enjoying the view and the pleasant weather. After our respite, we descended the trail leading back to the parking lot. On our way there, we crossed a bridge stretched over the flowing Snir Stream (the Hasbani River). We admired the Oak and Pistacia trees growing all around, and the blossoming Cyclamens, as well as the budding Anemones. Towards the end of the trail, the path goes through a wading pool. We frequent this part of the nature reserve often in the summer. The kids mainly enjoy standing under the flowing waterfall, and dipping in the cool waters of the pool. It was a bit strange for them to visit the pool without jumping in it. We also went to the point where we could overlook the water flowing in the stream. In the summer months, it is possible to walk in the water and take a linear or circular path, ending in the Ma’ayan Baruch parking lot.