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The Dead Sea Scrolls

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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 is arguably the most important and greatest archaeological find of the century. Housed in the Israel Museum, the scrolls are the oldest copies of the Hebrew Bible found to date and describe the life, times and beliefs of the Dead Sea Sect. These ancient manuscripts were discovered over a period of nine years (from 1947 to 1956) in eleven caves on the northwest shores of the Dead Sea near Khirbet Qumran. The scrolls dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE, were written on parchment and papyrus and found mostly in fragments.

The Isaiah Scroll is one of the original seven scrolls found and is the largest and best preserved of all of the biblical scrolls. And, it is the only one that was discovered in its entirety – 54 columns containing all 66 chapters. The scroll dates from around 100 BCE and as such is 1,000 years older than the oldest Hebrew biblical manuscript, The Aleppo Codex.

The Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum houses a facsimile of the Isaiah Scroll in a specially designed hall resembling the tops of the clay jars that the scrolls were discovered in. This impressive exhibit allows the visitors to see the 2.60-meter long scroll that contains the famous phrase “they shall beat their swords into plowshares…” (Isaiah 2.4). To add to the spectacular vision of the lengthy scroll, a small original fragment is also on display.

To help bring home Isaiah’s message, iron tools common to the 8th century BCE, or the time of Isaiah’s life, are shown alongside the scroll. The discovery of the Scrolls changed the study of the history of the ancient Jewish people as nothing prior to or since has.  During the period of excavation, fragments of approximately 950 different scrolls were found. Excavations continue to this date, but no additional scrolls have been found in 1956.

Have Israel Tour Connection add a visit to the Israel Museum to your itinerary.

 

 

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Travel Israel’s Wine Routes

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Wine in Israel

Vineyards and wine production have always played an important role in Israel’s agricultural and industrial development. But, over the last decade, Israel has experienced a surge of interest of them, resulting in wineries becoming a booming tourist, as well as export, industry. More than two hundred wineries of different sizes and rates of production are currently operating throughout Israel, from Dan to Eilat, from the Shefela region to Judah and Samaria.

Throughout history, the vineyards supplying the grapes for the wineries have been planted on the sites of vineyards from biblical and later periods when agriculture served as the central industry in the country’s economy. However, the grape varieties have traveled a long path of development and improvement since then, allowing Israeli wines to reach leading places in world wine contests.

The wine production process from the initial planting, care, harvesting, pressing and fermentation through to the aging process has historically been steeped in mystery. Probably because the large earthenware vessels were hidden away and stored deep within caves or cool cellars. You’ll find references to this in many quotations from the Bible and other ancient writings. In fact, Noah was said to have planted a vineyard immediately after leaving the ark (Genesis 9). Or take the story of the spies, “They arrived at the Valley of Eshkol, and cut from there a vine with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a double pole…” (Numbers 13).  The references to vineyards in the Bible are numerous and show the historical importance wine and vineyards have played in our country’s history.

Today, wine production is still a favorite with the public and wine tourism has become more and more popular. Often tourists plan their entire trips first around the wineries and vineyards they want to visit and then adding local attractions to their itinerary. Israel’s wine industry has developed rapidly and visitors have the opportunity to experience the production process and then taste the world-class wines that are produced. The Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Israel Grape and Wine Council, are actively promoting the field of wine tourism in Israel.

Contact ITC for more information

 

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Temple Period Cistern Uncovered

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Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority

Archaeologists discovered a large public cistern from the time of the First Temple period in Jerusalem’s Old City.  The Israel Antiquities Authority are excited about this new find as it will offer new insight into the city’s water supply some 2,500 years ago.

The cistern, which held 250 cubic meters of water, was discovered adjacent to the western side of the Temple Mount during an ongoing excavation at the site. The discovery is important as it shows that the city’s water supply at the time did not rely solely on Jerusalem’s Gihon Spring (Jerusalem’s only natural water source) as once thought. Instead, a large man-made reservoir apparently was used to collect the water from the Gihon Spring.

The size of the cistern is unique in that it is the largest of its time to be discovered in the city. Also, according to archaeologist Tsvika Tsuk of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, its location suggests the possibility that it played a part in the ritual activities at the Temple. The cistern was waterproofed with a yellowish plaster typical of the period, with handprints still visible on the walls,

According to the biblical record, the First Temple was built around 950 BCE and destroyed by a Babylonian army in 586 CE. Construction of the Second Temple began some 50 years later. The Temple Mount as it currently exists, dates to an expansion and renovation of the compound by Herod the Great five centuries after that, or about 2,000 years ago. The Second Temple was destroyed by Rome in 70 CE.

Contact Israel Tour Connection for more information about this and other important archaeological discoveries.

 

Treasures Of The Temple Exhibit

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Treasures Of The Temple Exhibit

Jerusalem’s Old City is a destination for visitors that number in the millions annually. Thousands of years of history filled with culture and religious worship wait to be re-visited by both tourists and residents alike. In fact, the tradition of visiting Jerusalem’s Old City is almost as old as time itself. The Holy Temple was the center of the Jewish world and visited by thousand of pilgrims from every corner of the globe until its destruction in 70AD.

Today the Treasures of the Temple Exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the Holy Temple and all of its rituals. Located on Misgav Ladach Street in Jerusalem’s Old City, the exhibit showcases more than sixty sacred vessels and priestly garments that were painstakingly recreated by the Temple Institute for use in the Holy Temple in accordance with intricate biblical law. Each vessel is the culmination of years of research and intensive work that brought together rabbis, artisans, craftsmen, engineers and scientists.

Recently the High Priest’s Robes exhibit was completed and includes the gen stone ordained Treasures Of The Temple Exhibit breastplate. The Temple Institute also showcases a half-ton solid gold Menorah on display overlooking the Western Wall Plaza and providing a taste of some of the incredible Temple treasures to be found in the exhibit.

The Temple Institute recently released a promotional video that gives potential visitors a sneak preview of the exhibits that can be watched in the comfort of their own home or on YouTube at http://youtu.be/tB8W0cLM9uA. The exhibit is open to the public Sunday through Thursday from 9:00am until 5:00pm and on Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Contact your ITC representative and add this inspiring destination to your itinerary.

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Tel Aviv-YafoBORADWALK in TEL AVIV

Tel Aviv, often called “the city that never stops,” was the first modern Jewish city built in Israel and is the country’s economic and cultural center. It is a lively, active city filled with entertainment, culture, art, festivals and a right nightlife.

Situated on a 14 kilometer strip on the Mediterranean seacoast, Tel Aviv extends beyond the Yarkon River to the north and the Avalon River to the east. Hundreds of thousands of workers, visitors, tourists and partygoers enjoy the city’s nightclubs, restaurants and entertainment venues all day and night.

History

Tel Aviv’s history dates back to Jaffa (Yafo), the 3,000 year old city that lies to its southwest. The current Old City of Jaffa was built during the Ottoman Empire and its stone houses and narrow alleyways now house the picturesque artists’ quarter and tourist center.

Among the main attractions of Old Jaffa are Gan HaPisga – the Summit Garden with its restaurants, galleries, shops with Judaica, and unique atmosphere. Also popular are the seaside promenade and walls of the old city and the visitors center in the old courtyard; and the fishing port.

There are also several important Christian sites in Old Jaffa such as the Church of Saint Peter, which dates back to the 17th century, the house of Simon the Tanner where Peter had his vision of the non-kosher animals, and the tomb of Tabitha, whose righteous deeds enabled Peter to raise her from the dead. Other sites around Jaffa include the Ottoman clock tower, a vibrant flea market that is always worth visiting, and the Ajami neighborhood.

In 1909 sixty-six Jewish families who resided in Jaffa established the first neighborhood of what would later become the city of Tel Aviv. The neighborhood, called “Akhuzat Bayit” (homestead) was originally within Jaffa. In 1910 the neighborhood continued to expand and was renamed Tel Aviv. Other new neighborhoods were added until it eventually became the center of the Yishuv – the Jewish settlement in Palestine at the time. On May 14, 1948, while in Tel Aviv, David Ben Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel.

The former Akhuzat Bayit neighborhood, which extends between Montifiore Street and Yehuda HaLevi, is the historical nucleus of Tel Aviv. To the west is the neighborhood of Neveh Tsedek, which was the first Jewish neighborhood to be established outside Jaffa in 1887. This neighborhood was renovated in the 1980s and today is a picturesque and charming neighborhood with many of the original houses still standing.

Surrounding Akhuzat Bayit are many buildings built in the eclectic style that was popular in Tel Aviv in the 1920s. Clusters of buildings built in this style can be found on Nakhlat Binyamin and in the “heart of the city” – the triangle between Shenkin Street, Rothschild Boulevard, and Allenby Street.

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The Kibbutz

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The Kibbutz

Israel’s kibbutz communities are a true “one of a kind” experience. Beginning as farms, they are situated in Israel’s most fertile and scenic areas where they represent a unique and rural way of life. Beginning at the turn of the 20th century and growing to over 270 kibbutzim today, these communities have thrived because of their willingness to change with the times, all the while keeping to their hallmark beliefs of sharing and passion for the land.

Kibbutzim are family friendly and many operate hotels, shops, galleries and other attractions and tourist services. But, if you want to have a really unforgettable kibbutz experience, you can volunteer to work at a kibbutz for a minimum of two months to a maximum of six months. Kibbutz landscapes range from deserts to green pastures or waterscapes making each one unique. Visiting a kibbutz is an ideal way to make life-long friends and experience Israel at the same time.

Israel’s kibbutz communities are nestled in its most scenic and fertile landscapes the country has to offer. Because of this, they are world-famous and represent a unique yet rural way of life whose historic hallmark is sharing. The kibbutz movement began around the turn of the 20th century. Groups of young pioneers from Eastern Europe decided to combine their commitment to egalitarianism and their love of nature and working the land with their Zionist creed. These first kibbutzniks, as members of these communities are called, founded Degania on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which to this day is still booming and going strong.

Currently there are approximately 270 kibbutzim throughout the country. An interesting fact is that even though the kibbutz movement is famous, only about 1.5% of Israel’s population has chosen this way of life. The number of participants may be small, but the impact they have is huge. It is impossible to imagine Israel without the kibbutzim. Their contribution to agriculture, industry, a first home for immigrants and in the early years, defense of its borders, have all had a positive and long-lasting impact on Israel.

What’s the Kibbutz secret of longevity and success? Many say that it’s been their willingness to change with the times. For example, more than a generation ago, they gave up the idea of having children sleep in group quarters watched over by kibbutz caregivers. In the “old days” this was considered essential to maximize working hands. Today, some kibbutzim have decided to foster greater individual enterprise, while continuing to share elements of their cultural and social lives, while others have kept the traditional framework of a redistribution of the resources of all members.

Since all kibbutzim began as farms, they are located in Israel’s most beautiful regions making them an alluring destination for visitors. Plus many also operate hotels and/or bed-and-breakfast facilities, craft shops, galleries and other attractions and tourist services. In fact, visitors who not only want to meet these unusual folks but also enjoy their hospitality can plan their entire Israel trip staying overnight only at kibbutzim! With lots of room to run around outdoors, kibbutz accommodations are great for families with young children. Some kibbutzim run tours of their community, and boast museums of their pioneering days and the heritage sites and artifacts found right on their land.

If you want an unforgettable opportunity to get acquainted with kibbutz life, plan to volunteer to work on one of the 30 or so kibbutzim. You can commit to a minimum of two months to a maximum of six months. And, you can have visit a kibbutz that “fits” you the best! If you love green pastures and waterscapes, look for a kibbutz in northern Israel’s Hula Valley or near the Sea of Galilee. Or if dramatic desert landscapes are more to your liking, try the Negev or the Arava areas where you can help make arid land bloom! It’s a great way to make life-long friends among the kibbutzniks and others from around the world, and to see Israel at the same time.

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Museums Abound In Israel

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Museum in Israel

Israel Museum, Jerusalem

It comes as no surprise that a country so diverse and rich in history would be home to so many museums. There is literally a museum to match anyone’s taste in art. From the large Tel Aviv Art Museum that has collections ranging from current artists to ones from the Renaissance, to the Land of Israel (Eretz Israel) Museum that shares its grounds with a Philistine port city dating back 3,000 years, and a host of others in between!

For example, another museum of interest is the Haifa Art Museum, located in the 1869 German Colony’s Templar Town Hall with its emphasis on the Jewish-Muslim-Christian-Druze city. Others of note are the Ralli Museum known for its Spanish Villa architecture and support of budding artists, and the naturally lit Museum of Art Ein Harod that overlooks the Jezreel Valley and Mount Gilboa. And this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to museums!

The Tel Aviv Art Museum
The Tel Aviv Art Museum’s permanent collection is the city’s largest and includes over 20,000 prints and drawings, as well as paintings and sculpture. The collection houses the works of recent Israel artists, Renaissance European art and pieces from the Renaissance, impressionist and modern eras. The Helena Rubenstein Pavilion has both permanent and temporary exhibits and is a remote branch of the museum located in the city center next to the Frederic Mann Auditorium and Habimah Theatre.

Address: 27 Shderot Sha’ul ha-Melekh St., Tel Aviv-Yafo
Phone: 03-6077020
Fax: 03-6958099
Web Page: http://www.tamuseum.com/

Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

The Land of Israel (Eretz Israel) Museum, Tel Aviv
The Land of Israel Museum contains an entire world of visual, cultural, and historical treasures. The collections are displayed in different pavilions devoted to glass, ceramics, coins, philately, Judaica, ethnography and folklore. The museum grounds house the archeological site of Tel Kasila, a Philistine port city dating back more than 3,000 years. In addition to the archaeological site, there is a planetarium simulating space flight, the fire engine donated in 1948 by the City of New York to Israel’s first fire brigade, and a plaza with ancient mosaics and an olive press.

Address: 2 Khayim Levanon St., Tel Aviv-Yafo
Phone: 03-6415244
Fax: 03-6412408
Web Page: http://www.eretzmuseum.org.il/main/site/index.php3?mod=firstPage&langId=1

Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes

The Haifa Art Museum
Located in the historic 1869 German Colony’s Templar Town Hall, the Haifa Art Museum has both permanent and temporary exhibits of modern Israeli and international art. The emphasis of the exhibits are on the unique quality of Haifa as an integrated Jewish-Muslim-Christian-Druze city.

 For more information, visit: http://www.haifamuseums.org.il

Ralli Museum
The Ralli Museum in Caesarea is one of four museums in the world founded by art collector, Harry Recanati, whose goal is to support budding contemporary artists. The museum is built in the form of a Spanish villa and exhibits European and Latin American art as well as the works of promising artists. For more information, visit: http://www.rallimuseums.org/

The Museum of Art Ein Harod
Located at Kibbutz Ein Harod, this is the largest museum in the northern Israel. The museum is naturally lit and overlooks the Jezreel Valley and Mount Gilboa. Numerous Israeli artists have exhibited their works here and it possesses a rich collection of Judaica, photographs and graphics. For more information, visit: http://www.museumeinharod.org.il/english/

Let Israel Tour Connection plan and organize your tour to Israel.

For more info, please contact us at:
Web -      IsraelTours.com
Phone –  973 535-2575
Email -   info@israeltours.com



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The Western Wall Tunnel

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The-Western-Wall-Tunnel.jpg

The Western Wall Tunnel

Faith, culture and history join together at the Western Wall in a special way that makes Israel unique. Revered as the last remnant of the Second Temple, The Western Wall is Judaism’s most sacred site. Thanks to King Solomon and his invitation for everyone (1 King 8:41-42) “to turn here in prayer,” visitors of all faiths and cultures can feel a special bond.

You’ll find worshippers here day and night. And on Bar Mitzvah days (Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays), families from around the world and across Israel crowd the plaza to celebrate their son’s first public Bible reading at age 13. Jews from every continent, each with their own customs, music, dress and liturgy, mingle together making this an unforgettable and colorful cultural event. Many visitors find that placing a traditional prayer note in the ancient stones gives them a treasured memory.

The nearby Western Wall Tunnel is a true treat for archaeology and history buffs. At over 180 feel long and over 60 feet high, the massive open-air portion of the Western Wall astounds visitors. Most of its nearly 1,700 foot original length lies beneath today’s Old City.

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Enormous Herodian stones in The Western Wall Tunnel

The tunnels were constructed using numerous arches placed side-by-side, with staircases going from the city to the Temple Mount. In ancient times there was a shallow valley called the Tyropaean running along the western side of the Temple Mount that separated the rich Herodian quarter from the Temple. Today, the valley has been filled in as the result of constant demolition and rebuilding. This valley was the reason the arches had to be built. In fact, these pathways still hold up the streets today with the tunnel going directly beneath the Muslim quarter.

Feel history with your fingertips by reaching out in the tunnel to touch portions of the huge arches that supported Jerusalem’s streets over the millennia, the homes later built among them and the Western Wall itself with some building blocks being the most massive ever discovered. Exit the tunnel and you are brought back to present-day Jerusalem with a lasting memory and new appreciation for this magnificent and moving site.

Let Israel Tour Connection plan and organize your tour to Israel.

For more info, please contact us at:
Web -      IsraelTours.com
Phone –  973 535-2575
Email -   info@israeltours.com

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Dance in Israel

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Israeli Dancer

The extraordinary range of Israel’s dance scene extends from ballet to modern, jazz, ethnic, ballroom, and folk dancing––your opportunity to dance your feet off among the locals.

Ballroom dancing became popular thanks to new Israelis from the former Soviet Union. Of course, the Russian influence is also strong in Israel’s classical ballet.

Dance lovers should time their trip to coincide with the summer Israel Festival or the fall Tel Aviv-Yaffo International Dance Festival, both of which host premier Israeli companies like Bat Sheva, the Israel Ballet and the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, alongside prestigious international troupes. Another summer favorite is Galilee’s Karmiel International Dance Festival, with thousands of dancers showcasing folk and ethnic dance in particular. The Inbal Ethnic Dance Center draws its inspiration from the Bible and the dance heritage of Yemenite and other cultures, while Jerusalem’s Vertigo tends toward the fringe of modern dance.Israeli ballet dancer

Israel’s trademark dance is the Hora, with which people famously took to the streets to celebrate when the state was born in 1948. The Hora and other circle dances draw on both Eastern European traditions and the Arab debka. Folk dancing is popular with Israelis of all ages and visitors are welcome to join the fun: your hotel staff will happily refer you to an evening of Israeli folk dancing.

www.iballet.co.il
www.suzannedellal.org.il/
www.batsheva.co.il
www.karmielfestival.co.il
www.kcdc.co.il

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Wine, Israel Style

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Discover a different Israel through her wineries and vineyards, and through the passion of the people who are crafting award-winning wines today. Enjoy vintage wines, gourmet foods, and gorgeous scenery, along with an ingredient unique to Israel – her millennia of wine producing history. Spend time experiencing Israel in a new way… as a Wine Connoisseur. Israel’s world-class wines are up for the challenge.

A Brief History of Winemaking in Israel

The Middle East & Eastern Mediterranean were the cradle of wine production. In fact, the ancient land of Canaan is one of the earliest countries to cultivate wine – over 2,000 years before the vine reached Europe. In recent years excavations have uncovered ancient presses and storage vessels that illustrate the fact that a well-developed and successful wine industry existed throughout the area. Grapes, grape clusters and vines were frequent motifs found on ancient coins and jars. Additionally, many wine presses and storage cisterns have been unearthed, from Mount Hermon to the Negev. Inscriptions and seals on the jars show that wine was a commercial commodity being shipped in goatskins or jugs from ports such as Dor, Ashkelon and Joppa (Jaffa). Other findings include the fact that the vineyards of Galilee and Judea, and wines named Sharon and Carmel from places like Gaza, Ashkelon and Lod were famous.

​Wine Making Revolution in Israel

In the 1990’s, wine production which formerly had been typically 70% white and 30% red, changed to 60% red and 40%white, reflecting new taste trends. International wine makers and consultants arrived to improve the overall quality of the wine by helping decide which types of grapes to grow, where to plant the vines and how to craft world class wines. Growers invested in state-of-the-art equipment and modern techniques replaced less professional methods. It was during this time that wineries started popping up all over Israel. In fact, 85% of all operating wineries in Israel today were founded in the last decade!

There are currently over 25 commercial wineries and over 150 boutique wineries in Israel where wine making has become a personal obsession as wine makers strive to produce world-class wines. Even with this exciting surge in boutique ‘start ups’, the three largest wineries account for 75% of the annual harvest; the top five wineries total 84 % of the harvest; and the top eleven account for 95% of the total annual harvest.

Facts About the Wine Industry:

Vineyards

Hectares: 3,800 ha. (9,500 acres; 38, 000 dunams)

Harvest 2005: 45,483 tons

Wine Market in Israel: $175 million dollars (20% imports)

Consumption in Israel: 7 liters/person

2005 Export of Israeli Wines ($m): $13.8 million

Main Importers of Israeli Wines: 1. U.S.A; 2. France; 3. U.K.; 4. Germany; 5. Canada

Wine Regions in Israel

The ideal growing conditions for the cultivation of wine grapes lie in the two geographic strips between 30-50 degrees south and north of the equator. Israel is ideally situated in the Northern Hemisphere strip and like other ‘long’ countries such as Chile or Italy, enjoys a variety of microclimates. While the northern region gets a lot of rain and even snow in the winter, just a few hours away, Israel’s southern region is very arid with desert-like conditions. This range in microclimates supports many grape varieties, which can grow in several different types of soil, yielding excellent results. More than 90% of Israel’s vineyards lie in the Shomron, Samson & Galilee regions. The sub regions with the youngest vineyards are the Upper Galilee & the Judean Foothills.

The 5 Official Wine Regions of Israel:

Galilee-Golan

Shomron

Samson

Judean Hills

Negev

Each one of Israel’s five wine growing regions awaits your exploration and looks forward to sharing its unique wines with you.  And, as always in matters of taste, after you visit Israel’s wineries and vineyards it’s up to you to decide for yourself which is your favorite!​

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