Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
WEATHER & FOOD
WEATHER
September - October – November: Autumn
General Weather Description: Some will argue and say that this is the nicest season of the year in Israel. Temperature in Tel Aviv is usually between 16 to 24 Degrees centigrade which are 61 to 75 Degrees Fahrenheit. Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approx. 3 degrees centigrade colder (5.5 Degrees Fahrenheit), and Eilat is usually 3 degrees centigrade warmer.
What to Wear: Long sleeve shirts and a light Jacket will do the job.
FOOD
Israelis like their breakfast. While the term "breakfast" is identical worldwide, an Israeli breakfast is slightly different from what you had in mind. This article will try to provide you with more details about what an Israeli breakfast is all about.
Fresh Vegetables are everywhere
Israel is blessed with a variety of fresh vegetables. As such, you will find sliced fresh vegetables on every breakfast table. It might be a 5 star luxury hotel or a plain bed & breakfast motel, all of them will serve you some fresh vegetable salad or "Israeli salad" as we would like to call it for breakfast.
An Israeli salad will consist mostly of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and some spice herbs like parsley or coriander. Unlike an "American" salad – this salad needs no dressing what so ever; if you insist you might use some pure olive oil as a dressing for a perfect salad.
Breakfast portions are huge
This probably relates to the Hebrew/Jewish mentality and the breakfast portions are simply too big. If you are not aware of that you will find yourself eating more than needed and that might lead you to gain some extra pounds during your stay in Israel. Take your time, this is only breakfast, and during the rest of the day you will find out that Israeli street food is even better, so you should save some room and appetite for it.
No meat please!
For various reasons it is almost impossible to find any meat in any breakfast in Israel. a "Kosher" kitchen will need to separate between dairy products and meat products, so unless "English breakfast" is explicitly specified, don't expect to find breakfast in Israel with any kind of meat.
Breakfasts around the clock
many places in Israel are now serving breakfasts around the clock. It is not unusual to see people eating their breakfast at 2:00 pm or later, you just need to ask for it as this is a very popular meal and Israelis tend to eat it at late morning hours and evenings as well.
Something for everybody
It really depends where are you going to eat your breakfasts in Israel, but you should expect a huge variety of food on any breakfast table. If the breakfast is a continental breakfast, it will consist of coffee, juice, toast, jam, honey, and a pastry of your choice.
If this is an "Israeli breakfast" you will mostly find coffee, orange juice, fresh vegetables salad, goats/cows cream cheese, fresh bread or toast, olives, butter, and fried eggs of your choose.
If you are staying in a luxury hotel you will find that on top of the regular variety you can expect some fish, cereals, and many kinds of different dairy products as they are very popular in Israel. All in all – there is something for everybody in any Israeli breakfast.
Israeli Street Foods
In fact, in Israel as in many other Middle Eastern cities, “street food” is very popular. Street food may be called fast food, but what gives it a special edge is that some of the places have no chairs, so the client has to finish his meal while standing in the street. That may not sound like the most civilized thing to do, but in Israeli streets you will see businessmen as well as young moms and teenagers eating this way.
Israel’s top street foods are:
Falafel - the most common and affordable street food is served in a pita bread (full or half) along with salad, pickles and Tehina. Falafel balls are usually made of either hummus (chick peas) or ful (broad beans) seeds mixed with parsley and some spices. Those with an edgy stomach may want to try one falafel ball before getting a full serving…
One Falafel serving = one pita with 6 balls = 11 weight-watchers’ points = 10-12 NIS
Shawarma – in Israel (unlike other places such as Turkey) Shawarma is made of turkey meat, and is usually served in pita bread along with salad, Tehina and pickles. The size of the pita may vary, and if you want to get your money’s worth – look at the size of the pita before ordering, and ask for a serving without salad or pickles. This way you can increase the amount of meat you are getting for the same price, and save yourself the second serving.
One Shawarma serving = one pita with approx. 80 grams of turkey meat = 11 weight-watchers’ points = 20-22 NIS
Sabich – the meaning of the word is “morning” in arab, and it is the traditional food Iraqi immigrants introduced to the Israeli street. It may be found on all cities in Israel, mainly in Ramat-Gan. The essence of this food is pita bread with fried eggplants, an egg, salad, tehina and pickles.
One Sabich serving = one pita = an endless amount of weight-watchers’ points = 10-14 NIS
Tunisian Sandwich – is a sandwich usually made from a baguette with many surprises that make a delicious meal. Additions may include: Tuna, egg, pickled lemon, salad, fried hot green pepper etc.
One Tunisian sandwich = one quarter of a baguette = 8-15 NIS
Lafa – usually means a big pita bread which has been cooked in a taboon, and is filled with some shish-kebab, salads and French fries. It is a full meal in itself for quite a big person (I could finish one myself only in my teenage years). Some choose to fill their lafa with goose liver, but that is out of the specified price range and definitely out of the weight watchers points specified below…
One Lafa serving = one lafa with 1-2 shish-kebabs = 20 weight-watchers’ points = 22-28 NIS
Friday, November 12, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Overview of the Occupation of Judah / Israel
Trafitional view of Daniel's vision of the statue (Daniel 2)
(more visions in Daniel 7 & 8)
Babylonian (625-5389 BC) (head of gold)
Medo-Persian (539-331 BC) (chest & arms of silver)
Greek (331-63 BC) (mid-body and thighs of bronze)
Roman (63 BC - AD 476) (legs of iron, feet of iron & clay)
MESSIANIC (stone)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
ISRAEL TOUR ITINERARY OCT 23 - NOV 01, 2010
Day 1: Saturday – Departure
Our Israel Holy Land tour starts today as we depart on our way to Israel – the Land of the Bible.
Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight. Get some rest…tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!
Meals included: Meals on Board
Overnight: On Board
Day 2: Sunday – Arrival in Israel / Welcome to the Holy Land / Visit Old Jaffa
Today we arrive at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. You will be met and assisted by our airport representative and transferred to Tel Aviv - Israel’s largest and most modern city (20-30 minutes drive). Check in at the Dan Panorama hotel, unpack and rest. Our hotel in Tel Aviv is conveniently located in the heart of the city, on the shore of the Mediterranean Seaand 10 minutes walking distance from famous Old Town Jaffa and the artistic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. After welcome dinner please join us for our tour orientation meeting, where you'll meet your traveling companions and your expert tour guide. Free time to rest and relax at your hotel room or stroll the Tel Aviv famous sidewalk and enjoy your first evening in Israel.
After welcome dinner and orientation meeting - Enjoy a free optional escorted night tour to Old Town Jaffa
For those who would like to explore Old Town Jaffa at night, meet with your tour guide after the welcome dinner. After a short walk on the famous Tel Aviv sidewalk we will arrive in Jaffa and walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world. See the amazing St. Peter Church at night and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv Shoreline from Jaffa’s Hilltop. Peter came to Joppa from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. The Church of St. Peter marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the great sheet.
Arrival transfer included: Yes
Meals included: Full Buffett Dinner
Optional: Free escorted night tour to Old Jaffa after dinner
Lodging: Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Hotel » Click here for hotel info
Day 3: Monday – From Tel Aviv to the Sea Galilee via the Mediterranean coast & the Valley of Armageddon
Tel Aviv / Coastal Plains / Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee / Tiberia
After an early breakfast we start our Holy Land tour heading north to the Sea of Galilee. We will have a relaxing drive along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), which was the center of early Christians. Here Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10), and it was also here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). Next, we will stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. Then on to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), to see the remains from Solomon's days, and view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. We continue along the Jezerel valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23). We will take in an unforgettable view of the city of Nazareth from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It is believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus, described on Luke 4:29-30. (* If time permits we will also visit the Church of the Annunciation). we Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed his first public miracle - the turning of water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2.1-11). We will end our first day of touring Israel by driving through the Lower GalileeSea of Galilee and the town of Tiberia. Our centrally located hotel is situated right on the town’s center and on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Check in and dinner at our hotel. Enjoy a free evening to walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and explore the town of Tiberia. drive to region to the beautiful
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Lodging: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton Tiberia) » Click here for hotel info
for our Oct' - Dec 2010 tours we still use the Royal Plaza Hotel in Tiberia
Day 4: Tuesday – Discovering the Sea of Galilee, the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights
Sail on the Sea of Galilee / "Jesus Boat" /Golan Heights / Upper Galilee / Caesarea Philippi / Yardenit
Today we will discover the tranquil Galilee region and the beautiful Golan Heights. After breakfast we will board a wooden boat and sail on of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples did 2,000 years ago. We will dock at Kibbutz Nof Geonsar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” - the remains of a 2,000 year old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. Next, we will drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and learn about the ancient Jewish settlements in this region. We will visit Banias - ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus said “on this rock I will built my Church”. We will drive through the natural Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee region back to the Sea of Galilee. We conclude this remarkable day with a visit to Yardenit – the wonderful baptismal site on the Jordan River. Return to our hotel for dinner.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Optional: Baptism at Yardenit on the Jordan River
Lodging: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton Tiberia) » Click here for hotel info
for our Oct' - Dec 2010 tours we still use the Royal Plaza Hotel in Tiberia
Day 5: Wednesday – Jesus’ Early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River
Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Beth Shean / Dead Sea / Free time to float & enjoy the resort
Today we will experience the area of Jesus’ early ministry around the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. We will visit the famous chapel, constructed in 1939 by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi and enjoy the breathtaking view. We will continue to Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21). Here we will visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue on to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where he performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. From here we will drive south along the Beth Shean valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31) for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). We will drive through the Jordanian Valley pass the city of Jericho and arrive at the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea. We will check in at our hotel, located on the shores of the Dead Sea. After check in and before dinner we will enjoy relaxing free time at our wonderful Dead Sea resort hotel, conveniently located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Walk to the beach and float in the salty water of the Dead Sea and take a dip in the beautiful swimming pool of our resort hotel. You can also take this opportunity to enjoy the Dead Sea famous mud and mineral treatments at our hotel's spa.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Optional: Daniel resort - spa, mud and mineral treatments
Lodging: Daniel Dead Sea Resort & Spa » Click here for hotel info
Day 6: Thursday – Exploring the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert / Arrive in Jerusalem
Dead Sea / Masada/ Ein Gedi / Qumran / Jerusalem / Mount of Olives / Garden of Gethsemane
Today we will explore the Dead Sea and the Judean desert region and its biblical and historical sites. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit one of the most spectacular sites in Israel –
the 1,500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the 1st century Synagogue, Herod’s Bathhouse and many other sites. We will continue along the shores of the Dead Sea for a look out on the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of his Psalms. Next, we will visit Qumran and walk through the ruins of this ancient Essene community. In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 - commonly called the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we will ascend to Jerusalem – the holy city of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem we will head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where the Lord ascended into heaven (Acts 1). From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City. We will take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. We will end our day and continue to our centrally located hotel for check in and dinner. Our hotel is conveniently located walking distance from the old city Jerusalem as well as from the city center. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info
Day 7: Friday - The Stones of Your Heritage: Temple Mount in Jesus times, Jerusalem Old & New City
"Yad Vashem" Holocaust Museum/ Temple Mount Archeological Excavations / Southern Wall / Southern Steps / Davidson Center / Western Wall /Jewish Quarter/ Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ Tomb of King David
Today we walk where Jesus walked. Following breakfast we will head to the new city and Mt. Herzl area for an emotional visit of the newly renovated Holocaust Museum - "Yad Vashem". We will return to the Old City and enter the Old City via the Dung Gate and visit the Southern Temple Mount archeological excavations. Here we will visit the “Southern Steps” - the archaeological reconstruction of the Temple Steps where Jesus walked so often. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money changers who were exploiting the people. We will visit the unearthed southern end of the western wall, the paved street and the Robinson’s Arch. At the Davidson Center museum we will view a fascinating documentary of the excavation and a 10 minutes film describing a visit of a pilgrim to the second temple – to better understand what the Temple was like in Jesus times. We will continue our old city exploration and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter all the way to Mt. Zion. Here we will visit the Tomb of King David and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) - the traditional site where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord and my God”. In the late afternoon we will return to the Western Wall plaza and visit the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) – the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original ancient walls that retained the Temple. We will have some free time to experience this holy site, to pray at the wall and to sense the importance of this site to the Jewish and Christian people just before the entrance of the Shabbat. Return to our hotel for a festive Shabbat dinner.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info
Day 8: Saturday - City of Zion - Past, Present and Future: Jerusalem Old City and Bethlehem
Lions’ Gate / Via Delarosa /St. Anne Church / Pool of Bethesda/Judgment Hall of Pilate /Church of the Holy Sepulcher/ Christian Quarter/ Knesset / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd’s Field/ Garden Tomb
Following breakfast, we will enter to Old City via the Lions’ Gate. The Lions’ Gate, located in the eastern wall of the Old City is the entrance marks the beginning of the last walk of Jesus from prison to the crucifixion - the Via Delarosa. We will start our walk along the Stations of the Cross to visit the St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Continue to the Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). After lunch time we will enjoy some free time to rest and shop at the colorful Christian Quarter bazaars. We will drive through the new city of Jerusalem and pass by the Knesset - Israel’s parliament and continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to the Shepherd’s Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. We will end our touring day visiting the Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23). We will end the day by driving back to our hotel for our great farewell dinner. We will share food with our new friends and be inspired by all the memories from our journey - memories that will last a lifetime.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner
Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info
Day 9: Sunday – Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem / Saying Goodbye / Transfer back to the Airport & Departure
After breakfast and by 12 noon, check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy a free day in Jerusalem. Take this opportunity to experience the special atmosphere of Jerusalem. Our hotel is conveniently located within a walking distance from the Old City as well as the city center. You might choose to return to the Old City to walk again through the biblical sites and the colorful bazaars, or head to the city center and walk along the Ben Yehuda Street to experience the authentic Jerusalem restaurants and shops. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to suggest some other sites for you to explore on your own, such as the newly renovated Israel museum and the shrine of the book and much more. After dinner (not included) the group will meet at the hotel lobby for our evening departure transfer back to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (40-60 minutes drive). Your departure transfer is fully escorted by your tour guide.
Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast
Departure transfer included: Yes (* for night flights departures only)
Day 10: Monday – Arrival
Today you will arrive back in the U.S.A and start planning your next trip to the Holy Land........
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
JERUSALEM - Main Valleys
Kidron Valley (4)
Tyropoeon Valley (5)
Hinnom Valley (6)
“My Name Shall be There...”
In 1 Kings , Solomon quotes the Lord as stating that HIS Name shall be in the land where Solomon is to build the House of GOD:
In 1 Kings , Solomon quotes the Lord as stating that HIS Name shall be in the land where Solomon is to build the House of GOD:
1 Kings 8:28-29: That Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My Name shall be there: that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall make toward this place.”
It is interesting that the three valleys form the Hebrew letter “Shin.” A modern version of the Shin is shown in the picture below ( top left inset) . The "Shin" represents GOD’s Name as in “EL SHADDAI”. This is how God revealed Himself to the patriarchs in Exodus 6:2-3.
It is interesting that the three valleys form the Hebrew letter “Shin.” A modern version of the Shin is shown in the picture below ( top left inset) . The "Shin" represents GOD’s Name as in “EL SHADDAI”. This is how God revealed Himself to the patriarchs in Exodus 6:2-3.
The "Shin" likewise represents GOD’s Name and character on mezzuzot placed on doorposts as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:9: “And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Friday, September 24, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
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