May 27th 2015
Currently home to some 20 thriving communities and 20,000 people, the Judean Hills block known as Gush Etzion did not have an easy start. Today it’s the perfect region for exploring Zionist and Biblical history, Israeli rural living and adventure tourism. The first Zionist settlers came to Gush Etzion in 1927, established, and then quickly […]
May 21st 2015
Israel is a service-oriented country, with socialized medicine and national or military service required of all citizens. When you visit Israel, after seeing the sights and sampling the delights, you may want to make your own contribution to Israeli society – and get to know the Holy Land from the inside. The Range of Opportunities […]
May 20th 2015
If you’re planning to opt for a private, guided group tour of Israel, you won’t need to worry about transportation, since your guide will take care of those arrangements. However, if you want to travel on Shabbat, when most public transportation in Israel doesn’t run, or if you decide to show yourself around a bit, […]
May 20th 2015
The largely residential city of Beit Shemesh is situated about 20 miles west of Jerusalem, but Israel tour participants are likely to be particularly drawn towards the many natural and historical sites just outside of Beit Shemesh. Here are some highlights worth checking out in the Ella Valley and the southern Judean Hills. Where Nature […]
May 18th 2015
When you arrive here in Israel, your perspective on Jewish identity is likely to get deeper and wider, as you come into contact with Jews from all walks of life and thriving, colorful subcultures. While most non-Orthodox Jews dress like anyone from a Western country, Ultra-Orthodox Jews are often notable for their distinctive black coats […]
May 17th 2015
Some 2000 years ago, on the edge of the Judean Desert, King Herod the Great constructed a fortress and a summer palace at the top of a cone-shaped hill. Herod is often cited as the greatest builder in Jewish history, but he was also a madman who murdered members of his own family. Herodium National […]
May 6th 2015
On Friday, June 5th, women from across Israel and around the world will be gathering at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, ready to swim across as part of a fantastic charity event. You too can find your way to helping out those in need at the Swim4Sadna swim-a-thon. Another way to give back, […]
May 6th 2015
For a small country, Israel is home to a staggeringly diverse climate. On any given day, there could be snow in the Golan, rain in Jerusalem and hot weather in the Negev. Here are some facts about Israel’s weather patterns to help prepare you for your upcoming trip. Israel’s rainy season generally lasts from around […]
May 6th 2015
When you first exchange your dollars for shekels, you might laugh and say that it looks like Monopoly money. As confusing as foreign currencies may be, the shekel is legal tender when you’re in Israel, so it may be a good idea to spend a few minutes wrapping your head around its various denominations and […]
May 6th 2015
Tourists visiting Israel from the United States are often overwhelmed by the idea of Celsius temperature notations or measuring weights by the kilo and distances by the meter. You might be comfortable knowing that a store a quarter-mile away sells the 12-ounce sodas you count on to keep you cool when the weather rises above […]
May 6th 2015
Just south of Jerusalem lies a cluster of approximately 20 Jewish communities known collectively as Gush Etzion, the Etzion block. Gush Etzion is located among the Judean Hills and is home to a wide range of historic and recreational sites. Kfar Etzion, home to the Lone Tree Brewery, is also among the oldest kibbutzim in […]
May 6th 2015
Although Jerusalem is the center of spirituality in the Holy Land, the concept of Israel’s Four Holiest Cities came about in the mid-17th century, primarily as a way to jointly raise charity from Jewish communities overseas for the needy Jews of Israel. Judaism’s Four Holy Cities are Jerusalem in the center, Hebron to the south […]
May 3rd 2015
The story of Jewish life in Tzfat over the past 200 years is preserved and displayed in a compelling manner at Hameiri House, or Beit Hameiri in Hebrew. A fifth-generation native of Tzfat who passed away in 1989, Yehezkel Hameiri came to know this building as a child and spent decades transforming it into a […]
May 1st 2015
Israelis are statistically far less likely to own cars than Americans are. As a result, taxis and other forms of public transportation are used by a much higher percentage of the locals here. Obviously, tourists are also a major market for taxi services in Israel. Here’s what you should expect from the experience of taking […]
April 29th 2015
The Jerusalem Light Rail system (“HaRakevet HaKala” in Hebrew) first began operating in August 2011. If one of the Light Rail’s 24 stops is close to where you need to go, it can be a great way to get from one end of the city to the other, often much faster and more pleasant than […]
April 27th 2015
Public buses are everywhere in Israel, as Israelis from all sectors of society depend on them to get around. There are approximately 20 bus companies operating in Israel. Some, such as Metrodan in Beersheva or Rama-Golan in the Golan, operate regionally. The major bus companies are Egged, which runs routes countrywide but especially in the […]
April 20th 2015
Most Jewish holidays are celebrated, albeit with variations, similarly both in and outside of Israel. However, there’s one ancient holiday that’s celebrated dramatically differently in Israel – that holiday is Lag BaOmer. Visitors who travel to Israel for this festival of campfires and mysticism just may find themselves discovering new aspects of their own tribal […]
April 19th 2015
Although most Israeli holidays are rooted in Jewish tradition, with echoes dating back to the times of the Bible, each spring, Israel observes three holidays that commemorate significant 20th-century events. Visitors to Israel who travel here during this time of year have the opportunity to connect with the homeland in ways that may be unfamiliar […]
April 15th 2015
Israel takes tour guide licensing very seriously. Before they can get licensed, tours guides in Israel are required to attend close to 600 hours of lectures, to participate in 80 field trips and to pass the written and oral exams administered by the Ministry of Tourism. These are just the minimum requirements for governmental certification. […]
April 15th 2015
Jerusalem Street (Rechov Yerushalayim) forms the nerve center of Tzfat. It’s where the busy, modern city, the Old City and the Artists’ Quarter converge. Known in Israel as a “midrachov,” Jerusalem Street is a pedestrian mall, so you won’t find any dangerous or disruptive car traffic here. Moreover, the Tzfat midrachov is situated at the […]
