Israel 2004

Just off the plane in Tel Aviv. Letting mom know we got there OK

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:40 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Just off the plane in Tel Aviv. Letting mom know we got there OK

Our hotel in Tel Aviv was just a block from the Mediterranean

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:11 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Our hotel in Tel Aviv was just a block from the Mediterranean

Looking out to the hotel next door, a man on the balcony greeted the early morning with prayer

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:08 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Looking out to the hotel next door, a man on the balcony greeted the early morning with prayer

Our hotel is the 5 or 6 story one in the middle left. The tower is a newer hotel

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:21 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Our hotel is the 5 or 6 story one in the middle left. The tower is a newer hotel

Modern Israeli architecture

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:21 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Modern Israeli architecture

Chinese Kosher restaurants. Also had a great Thai meal!

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:22 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Chinese Kosher restaurants. Also had a great Thai meal!

Older architecture in Tel Aviv, a city built only in the last 100 years

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:22 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Older architecture in Tel Aviv, a city built only in the last 100 years

A World Heritage Site for the huge numbers of International Style (or Bauhaus style) buildings popular in the 20's and 30's still surviving. Many in bad shape, though a large number are bein ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:23 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A World Heritage Site for the huge numbers of International Style (or Bauhaus style) buildings popular in the 20's and 30's still surviving. Many in bad shape, though a large number are bein ...

The site where David Ben Gurion declared the State of Israel in 1948, left as a museum just as it appeared that night

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:24 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The site where David Ben Gurion declared the State of Israel in 1948, left as a museum just as it appeared that night

Modern Tel Aviv in the distance; the ancient port of Jaffa (where Jonah sailed from before meeting a certain whale) was it's birthplace. Now Jaffa is a tiny enclave surrounded by a city the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:08 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Modern Tel Aviv in the distance; the ancient port of Jaffa (where Jonah sailed from before meeting a certain whale) was it's birthplace. Now Jaffa is a tiny enclave surrounded by a city the ...

Detail of an artist's door in Jaffa

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:09 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Detail of an artist's door in Jaffa

Jaffa port scene

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:09 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Jaffa port scene

Jaffa walkway. Door at end is to a Greek Orthodox church

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:10 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Jaffa walkway. Door at end is to a Greek Orthodox church

On to Haifa, by way of the mountains of the Carmel. We stopped in this Druze town on the way. The Druze are a secretive offshoot of Islam, with the tenets known only to the initiated.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:24 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
On to Haifa, by way of the mountains of the Carmel. We stopped in this Druze town on the way. The Druze are a secretive offshoot of Islam, with the tenets known only to the initiated.

Yes, your Hebrew is correct- the signs says "New! Mc Kabob" available in regular or "hot fire" spiciness. Our only descent into US food during the whole trip. Promise.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:25 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Yes, your Hebrew is correct- the signs says "New! Mc Kabob" available in regular or "hot fire" spiciness. Our only descent into US food during the whole trip. Promise.

Drove the 50 miles from the Mediterranean (Haifa) across the entire Galilee in no time. Here we stop for a picture as we descend into Tiberius (founded AD 70) and the Sea of Galilee- 800 fee ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:26 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Drove the 50 miles from the Mediterranean (Haifa) across the entire Galilee in no time. Here we stop for a picture as we descend into Tiberius (founded AD 70) and the Sea of Galilee- 800 fee ...

Stopped for a picture at the site of Jesus' sermon on the mount- Mt. Beatitudes. The crops below are bananas

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:26 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Stopped for a picture at the site of Jesus' sermon on the mount- Mt. Beatitudes. The crops below are bananas

Into uppermost Galilee, to the kibbutz where I lived a year in 10 th grade. It was our base for exploring the Galilee over the next 3 days. In the background, the Golan Heights

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:48 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Into uppermost Galilee, to the kibbutz where I lived a year in 10 th grade. It was our base for exploring the Galilee over the next 3 days. In the background, the Golan Heights

Max swims in the kibbutz pool, an Olympic size one

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:49 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Max swims in the kibbutz pool, an Olympic size one

The kibbutz had dairy and agriculture, but made most of it's income on it's 150 bed hotel and a factory that makes controls for drip irrigation (which you can find in Home Depot)

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:27 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The kibbutz had dairy and agriculture, but made most of it's income on it's 150 bed hotel and a factory that makes controls for drip irrigation (which you can find in Home Depot)

Even cows get hot

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:28 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Even cows get hot

Short distance to northernmost tip of the country. Tel Dan a source of the Jordan River, and a garden of coolness in a valley that was 90 + degrees. It was also the northernmost site of the ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:28 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Short distance to northernmost tip of the country. Tel Dan a source of the Jordan River, and a garden of coolness in a valley that was 90 + degrees. It was also the northernmost site of the ...

The water is incredibly clear and flows from multiple sources in this park

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:29 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The water is incredibly clear and flows from multiple sources in this park

Israelis come from all over to hike and cool off

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:33 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Israelis come from all over to hike and cool off

Ancient fortifications. In addition, an arch was found here that predates the Roman arches (they were thought to "invent" the arch) by 1000 years

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:35 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Ancient fortifications. In addition, an arch was found here that predates the Roman arches (they were thought to "invent" the arch) by 1000 years

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)'s photo

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:35 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)

Modern fortifications: Until 1967 (when this land was captured), the Syrian patrol road was where this car drives. The Syrians and Israelis skirmished over the spring source, just out of sig ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:36 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Modern fortifications: Until 1967 (when this land was captured), the Syrian patrol road was where this car drives. The Syrians and Israelis skirmished over the spring source, just out of sig ...

A wild pig (kosher, of course) non- chalantly rooted around, oblivious to all around it.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:36 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A wild pig (kosher, of course) non- chalantly rooted around, oblivious to all around it.

What teenage boy would not want a chance to shoot a submachine gun (an Uzi)?

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:37 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
What teenage boy would not want a chance to shoot a submachine gun (an Uzi)?

One of only 2 ice rinks in the Middle East (other one is in Dubai?), this rink at the northern tip of the state is popular with immigrant Russian skaters, some of them world champions

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:37 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
One of only 2 ice rinks in the Middle East (other one is in Dubai?), this rink at the northern tip of the state is popular with immigrant Russian skaters, some of them world champions

Yes, that does say "Israel bobsled.." Probably practiced with the Jamaican team

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:38 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Yes, that does say "Israel bobsled.." Probably practiced with the Jamaican team

Next day, back across the Galilee to the Crusader port town of Acco (or Acre), across from Haifa in the north. This mosque was built by Al Jazeer "the butcher" around 200 years ago

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:38 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Next day, back across the Galilee to the Crusader port town of Acco (or Acre), across from Haifa in the north. This mosque was built by Al Jazeer "the butcher" around 200 years ago

Outside building of the mosque

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:38 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Outside building of the mosque

The crusader fort was the main attraction, taking up a large part of the old town. When the Muslims kicked the Crusaders out finally, they tore down their buildings and built right on top of ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:39 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The crusader fort was the main attraction, taking up a large part of the old town. When the Muslims kicked the Crusaders out finally, they tore down their buildings and built right on top of ...

The ancient building has modern additions to support the 900 year old walls

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:39 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The ancient building has modern additions to support the 900 year old walls

In the huge dining hall, steel bands ensure stability

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:40 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
In the huge dining hall, steel bands ensure stability

Sunshades helped keep us cool waiting for a tour

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:43 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Sunshades helped keep us cool waiting for a tour

In the marketplace of Acco. Smell of spices permeates the whole market. We had a great hummus meal near here, waiting in line with an incredible ethnic mix

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:44 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
In the marketplace of Acco. Smell of spices permeates the whole market. We had a great hummus meal near here, waiting in line with an incredible ethnic mix

In the Acco harbor, youths jumped into the ocean, thrilling onlookers

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:45 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
In the Acco harbor, youths jumped into the ocean, thrilling onlookers

Some of the divers

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:45 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Some of the divers

Drove to Sefad (Tsfat), highest town in Israel and home during the 1500's and 1600's of Jewish mysticism- the Kabalah was written here

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:46 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Drove to Sefad (Tsfat), highest town in Israel and home during the 1500's and 1600's of Jewish mysticism- the Kabalah was written here

Throngs of ultrareligious populate Safed

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:46 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Throngs of ultrareligious populate Safed

Inside a 16th century synagogue. Sign of the times- the oil lamps are now flourescent

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:47 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Inside a 16th century synagogue. Sign of the times- the oil lamps are now flourescent

Outside the Joseph Caro synagogue

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:47 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Outside the Joseph Caro synagogue

The next day was spent mainly in the Golan Heights. First a stop at the spectacular Nimrod Castle, built by a muslim ruler to defend against the Crusaders. After the latter were defeated, th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:49 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The next day was spent mainly in the Golan Heights. First a stop at the spectacular Nimrod Castle, built by a muslim ruler to defend against the Crusaders. After the latter were defeated, th ...

Unused, that is, except for bats and other creatures

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:50 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Unused, that is, except for bats and other creatures

The view from the main Keep. In foreground, rest of castle. Facing west, in the distance are the hills with the Lebanese border at the top ridge. In the left middle, the elevated Golan Heigh ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:51 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The view from the main Keep. In foreground, rest of castle. Facing west, in the distance are the hills with the Lebanese border at the top ridge. In the left middle, the elevated Golan Heigh ...

Mt. Bental an old army outpost at the east end of the Golan, now a popular spot for a grand sweeping view of the Golan and Syria to the east. The army uses this chain of extinct volcano peak ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:51 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Mt. Bental an old army outpost at the east end of the Golan, now a popular spot for a grand sweeping view of the Golan and Syria to the east. The army uses this chain of extinct volcano peak ...

Mt Bental, the signposts distances are in kilometers. Israeli humor- the distance to the Israeli Prime Minister's office (I guess to complain) is also listed

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:54 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Mt Bental, the signposts distances are in kilometers. Israeli humor- the distance to the Israeli Prime Minister's office (I guess to complain) is also listed

A soldier on Mt. Bental looks east. In the mid distance the town of Kuneitra, the border now between Syria and Israeli occupied Golan. Damascus is only 40 miles away

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:53 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A soldier on Mt. Bental looks east. In the mid distance the town of Kuneitra, the border now between Syria and Israeli occupied Golan. Damascus is only 40 miles away

Recently excavated Gamla, in the southern Golan (sea of Galilee in the distancee). Part of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 66AD, this town protected on 3 sides held out against 3 Leg ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:54 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Recently excavated Gamla, in the southern Golan (sea of Galilee in the distancee). Part of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 66AD, this town protected on 3 sides held out against 3 Leg ...

Gamla happened at the same time as Masada, further south. The latter is more famous, having been "discovered" hundreds of years ago, but for sheer martyr size, Gamla was much bigger- suppose ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:55 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Gamla happened at the same time as Masada, further south. The latter is more famous, having been "discovered" hundreds of years ago, but for sheer martyr size, Gamla was much bigger- suppose ...

At the base of the Golan, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, we spent the night at another kibbutz hotel at Ein Gev. Our room was near the shore

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:56 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
At the base of the Golan, on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, we spent the night at another kibbutz hotel at Ein Gev. Our room was near the shore

Wind whipped waves on the Sea tossed these toddlers around (mom is just to the right)

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:56 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Wind whipped waves on the Sea tossed these toddlers around (mom is just to the right)

Max tries out the Sea of Galilee. The water was warm- probably around 80 degrees. Large rainfall the last two years has raised the drought stricken lake level 6 feet

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:57 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Max tries out the Sea of Galilee. The water was warm- probably around 80 degrees. Large rainfall the last two years has raised the drought stricken lake level 6 feet

Calling home again to recount the day. A great meal of grilled St. Peter's fish followed

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:58 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Calling home again to recount the day. A great meal of grilled St. Peter's fish followed

Sunset, with the city of Tiberius barely visible on the opposite shore under the setting sun

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:58 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Sunset, with the city of Tiberius barely visible on the opposite shore under the setting sun

Next day, the southern Galilee. 1st a stop at a site on the Jordan river (ironically owned by a kibbutz) where thousands of Christians come to be baptized

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:59 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Next day, the southern Galilee. 1st a stop at a site on the Jordan river (ironically owned by a kibbutz) where thousands of Christians come to be baptized

We were too early to catch the busloads of the soon-to-be-baptized

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:24:59 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
We were too early to catch the busloads of the soon-to-be-baptized

On to Beth She'an. Now a dusty immigrant town, during Roman times it was one of the 10 largest cities in the Roman empire, with >50,000 occupants. After the Romans it was a powerful Byzantin ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:02 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
On to Beth She'an. Now a dusty immigrant town, during Roman times it was one of the 10 largest cities in the Roman empire, with >50,000 occupants. After the Romans it was a powerful Byzantin ...

50,000 occupants. After the Romans it was a powerful Byzantin ..." title="On to Beth She'an. Now a dusty immigrant town, during Roman times it was one of the 10 largest cities in the Roman empire, with >50,000 occupants. After the Romans it was a powerful Byzantin ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" />

The reconstructed main drag. In the background, the ancient "tel" (dozens of layers of cities built on over the other) was ancient even to the Romans

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:03 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The reconstructed main drag. In the background, the ancient "tel" (dozens of layers of cities built on over the other) was ancient even to the Romans

Well preserved mosaic to one of the Roman gods

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:04 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Well preserved mosaic to one of the Roman gods

The thriving city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 760's, the fate of the people unknown (but suspect there weren't earthquake codes)

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:05 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The thriving city was destroyed by an earthquake in the 760's, the fate of the people unknown (but suspect there weren't earthquake codes)

Another great site near Beth She'an, a 6th century AD synagogue floor mosaic, preserved beautifully. The strange motifs include Jewish symbols at the top, a zodiac symbol in the middle, and ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:06 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Another great site near Beth She'an, a 6th century AD synagogue floor mosaic, preserved beautifully. The strange motifs include Jewish symbols at the top, a zodiac symbol in the middle, and ...

Close up of the strangely childish figures of Abraham and Isaac. Speculation is that the artist was either a beginner or not first rate, perhaps because of the amount of congregation could a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:07 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Close up of the strangely childish figures of Abraham and Isaac. Speculation is that the artist was either a beginner or not first rate, perhaps because of the amount of congregation could a ...

From there westward to Har Meggido (mount Megiddo in Hebrew). Over 20 layers of civilzation in this tel. At the crossroads of two major ancient routes, it was the site of so many battles to ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:07 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
From there westward to Har Meggido (mount Megiddo in Hebrew). Over 20 layers of civilzation in this tel. At the crossroads of two major ancient routes, it was the site of so many battles to ...

The next day we left Tel Aviv for the Dead Sea, stopping at a museum of Bedouin history (highly recommended). The sign at the bottom warns parents and teachers to watch their children- hot c ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:11 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The next day we left Tel Aviv for the Dead Sea, stopping at a museum of Bedouin history (highly recommended). The sign at the bottom warns parents and teachers to watch their children- hot c ...

The bedouin have a fascinating culture, living a semi nomadic life over a large area of the Middle East, including the Israeli negev. At the end of our tour this youth helped serve us sweet ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:12 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The bedouin have a fascinating culture, living a semi nomadic life over a large area of the Middle East, including the Israeli negev. At the end of our tour this youth helped serve us sweet ...

Northern Negev desert, on the way to the Dead Sea- a road sign not seen often in the U.S.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:13 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Northern Negev desert, on the way to the Dead Sea- a road sign not seen often in the U.S.

The signs are needed- a bedouin's herd of camels grazed along the road

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:13 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The signs are needed- a bedouin's herd of camels grazed along the road

The sign on the right shows we are at sea level. The Dead Sea is seen faintly at the far left in the distance. The lowest point on earth- 1,300 feet below sea level

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:13 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The sign on the right shows we are at sea level. The Dead Sea is seen faintly at the far left in the distance. The lowest point on earth- 1,300 feet below sea level

The Dead Sea is over 30% solids- more than 7 times more than the oceans. The minerals give the water an oily feel, and precipitate out as seen here. The distant shore is Jordan, not far from ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:14 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The Dead Sea is over 30% solids- more than 7 times more than the oceans. The minerals give the water an oily feel, and precipitate out as seen here. The distant shore is Jordan, not far from ...

Max reads some of his homework. All of your body floats completely- your feet also; even in water "over your head", you float upright. It is almost like being weightless. Very wierd...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:14 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Max reads some of his homework. All of your body floats completely- your feet also; even in water "over your head", you float upright. It is almost like being weightless. Very wierd...

Masada- Herod's fortress overlooking the Dead Sea taken over by Jewish rebels against the Romans in 70 AD. The Romans did not look kindly upon rebels, and beseiged Masada with many Legions. ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:22 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Masada- Herod's fortress overlooking the Dead Sea taken over by Jewish rebels against the Romans in 70 AD. The Romans did not look kindly upon rebels, and beseiged Masada with many Legions. ...

View of the Dead Sea from the top of the flat rock fortress

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:17 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
View of the Dead Sea from the top of the flat rock fortress

A hole in the defense wall. Well preserved outline of a Roman Legion camp is the square seen below and to the right.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:17 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A hole in the defense wall. Well preserved outline of a Roman Legion camp is the square seen below and to the right.

Herod built this palace >100 years before the rebellion as a redoubt in time of trouble, but made sure that even in the desert the opulence befitted a king. An interior wall still shows some ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:18 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Herod built this palace >100 years before the rebellion as a redoubt in time of trouble, but made sure that even in the desert the opulence befitted a king. An interior wall still shows some ...

100 years before the rebellion as a redoubt in time of trouble, but made sure that even in the desert the opulence befitted a king. An interior wall still shows some ..." title="Herod built this palace >100 years before the rebellion as a redoubt in time of trouble, but made sure that even in the desert the opulence befitted a king. An interior wall still shows some ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" />

Multiple large storerooms like these contained the materials that Herod needed to maintain a royal lifestyle

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:20 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Multiple large storerooms like these contained the materials that Herod needed to maintain a royal lifestyle

A model of Masada allows us to pour water into a "wadi" (storm wash), showing how Herod's engineers funneled water from rare rains into a series of cisterns. So much water was stored that th ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:20 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A model of Masada allows us to pour water into a "wadi" (storm wash), showing how Herod's engineers funneled water from rare rains into a series of cisterns. So much water was stored that th ...

Diagram that shows how the Romans, having built their ramp, burst through the defensive wall, ending the seige. 900 Jews committed suicide rather than being killed or taken prisoner

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:21 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Diagram that shows how the Romans, having built their ramp, burst through the defensive wall, ending the seige. 900 Jews committed suicide rather than being killed or taken prisoner

Some of Herod's mosaics still survive in remarkable condition

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:21 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Some of Herod's mosaics still survive in remarkable condition

One of the huge cisterns that Herod had carved out of the rock. The original plaster remains largely intact

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:22 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
One of the huge cisterns that Herod had carved out of the rock. The original plaster remains largely intact

Drove from Masada around the West Bank, stopping at this gem of a cavern west of Jerusalem- Sorek Cave. Though smaller than Carlsbad, it is packed with excellent formations.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:23 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Drove from Masada around the West Bank, stopping at this gem of a cavern west of Jerusalem- Sorek Cave. Though smaller than Carlsbad, it is packed with excellent formations.

Arrived for the final 3 days, all in Jerusalem. We stayed at the Mt. Zion Hotel, and this view out our window shows Mt Zion- where Mary died and King David is alleged to be buried. In the di ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:23 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Arrived for the final 3 days, all in Jerusalem. We stayed at the Mt. Zion Hotel, and this view out our window shows Mt Zion- where Mary died and King David is alleged to be buried. In the di ...

Lobby of the Mt. Zion Hotel

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:24 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Lobby of the Mt. Zion Hotel

Sabbath (Shabbat) morning. Two friends chat on way to synagogue. Many sects of Judaism are represented in this city, the dress of the man on the left shows he belongs to a sect that hails fr ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:24 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Sabbath (Shabbat) morning. Two friends chat on way to synagogue. Many sects of Judaism are represented in this city, the dress of the man on the left shows he belongs to a sect that hails fr ...

Yemin Moshe, the first dwellings built outside the safety of the Old City walls, in the 1860's. Rothschild funded it, even building a windmill though it never worked right. For years this ar ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:25 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Yemin Moshe, the first dwellings built outside the safety of the Old City walls, in the 1860's. Rothschild funded it, even building a windmill though it never worked right. For years this ar ...

At the Israel Museum, the roof of the building that contains the Dead Sea scrolls is shaped like a decorative end of a Torah scroll

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:25 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
At the Israel Museum, the roof of the building that contains the Dead Sea scrolls is shaped like a decorative end of a Torah scroll

A view of Jerusalem to the north, with the Dome of the Rock in the center. The old city walls are seen, and the surrounding "new" city dwarfs the old. Arab neighborhoods are in the foregroun ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:26 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
A view of Jerusalem to the north, with the Dome of the Rock in the center. The old city walls are seen, and the surrounding "new" city dwarfs the old. Arab neighborhoods are in the foregroun ...

5 AM- as dawn rises, the walls of the Old City are still lit. Taken from our hotel room

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:26 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
5 AM- as dawn rises, the walls of the Old City are still lit. Taken from our hotel room

The Old City, mid morning but many of the merchants have not opened up yet

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:27 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The Old City, mid morning but many of the merchants have not opened up yet

The Jewish Quarter of the Old City was demolished by the Jordanians in 1948. Since 1967, the quarter has been rebuilt. This synagogue was restored- the photo on the left was how it was foun ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:27 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The Jewish Quarter of the Old City was demolished by the Jordanians in 1948. Since 1967, the quarter has been rebuilt. This synagogue was restored- the photo on the left was how it was foun ...

The Dome of the Rock, where Allah is said to have ascended to heaven, sits on the site of the Jewish Holy Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. More than 150 years earlier, Herod built a ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:28 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The Dome of the Rock, where Allah is said to have ascended to heaven, sits on the site of the Jewish Holy Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. More than 150 years earlier, Herod built a ...

Father and son walk in the Old City

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:28 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Father and son walk in the Old City

The Western Wall is considered the most holy site in Judaism since it's walls were the walls of the Temple complex.

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:32 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The Western Wall is considered the most holy site in Judaism since it's walls were the walls of the Temple complex.

The tradition is to slip a prayer into a crack in the wall, and God would hear the prayer immediately. Sort of a fax to God

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:31 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The tradition is to slip a prayer into a crack in the wall, and God would hear the prayer immediately. Sort of a fax to God

Max sends his "fax"

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:32 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Max sends his "fax"

The original City of King David, circa 1000 BCE, was just south of where the Temple southern wall is, and just south of the present wall of the Old City. King Hezekiah ~700 BCE had a long tu ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:30 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
The original City of King David, circa 1000 BCE, was just south of where the Temple southern wall is, and just south of the present wall of the Old City. King Hezekiah ~700 BCE had a long tu ...

Today the tunnels are still accessible, deep under the earth, with knee deep water still running. Here some soldiers join their platoon to visit (acting as tourists), stripped to their under ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:29 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Today the tunnels are still accessible, deep under the earth, with knee deep water still running. Here some soldiers join their platoon to visit (acting as tourists), stripped to their under ...

Max descends into the tunnel, carved hundreds of yards by Hezekiah's engineers. The amazing thing is that the two tunneling teams, coming from opposite ends, actually met in the middle

nobody@smugmug.com (Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)) — Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:25:29 -0700

Jonathan Siegel (JSBird)
Max descends into the tunnel, carved hundreds of yards by Hezekiah's engineers. The amazing thing is that the two tunneling teams, coming from opposite ends, actually met in the middle