Videos

Nazi Mascot – Holocaust Day

January 27, 2012 By Birte Edwards Leave a Comment

Secrets of A Nazi Mascot

It is International Holocaust Day, and a time to remember and reflect. This is a tribute to the will to live, and the memory of all those who did not. Alex survived, as a Nazi mascot.

There are events, days and stories that need to be remembered. Even though many would prefer to sweep them out of history. The Holocaust is one of those times.

But I so agree with Israel’s first Prime Minister, when he said: We must learn to forgive, but never forget. The story here is to me unforgettable, even though it’s the first time I hear it. But what a story. It includes the horrors of that time, but also the strange path life takes in such times. It includes the indomitable determination to live, as well as the strange ways the human brain will act in order to survive.

This is a tribute to all of this and more.

Filed Under: History, Recent Articles, Videos

Christmas in Bethlehem

December 16, 2011 By Birte Edwards Leave a Comment

Christmas is a time of joy, of being together with family and loved ones, of giving and receiving.

Here in the land where Jesus was born, Christmas is not an official holiday, but is very much celebrated by the Christian communities, as well as visitors.

Manger Square at Christmas

The main mass takes place in St. Catherine’s Church Bethlehem, and in the Grotto of Nativity in the Church of the Nativity. The celebrations start long before the mass, with the arrival of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Click here for full details. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christian, Holidays, Jerusalem, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: Bethlehem, Christian, Christmas

Israel vs West Bank

November 30, 2011 By Birte Edwards 2 Comments

As a guide I constantly find myself in the position of having to explain the issues surrounding Israel and its neighbors, in particular the issues between Israel and the Palestinians. Not easy within the time limits of a tour.

The problem is also that the issues go much further back than most people realize, and involve decisions made by other nations as well as international organizations, specifically the United Nations.

There are historical facts that should be known, even though they are often overlooked or even denied, in particular by the Palestinians and the Arab world. Yes, sorry, I am biased, I am after all Israeli, and proud to be so.

The below video explains these historical facts in as simple terms as possible. But it does deal with the historical facts in a way that I usually also describe them. And in much shorter time than I can. Of course I have to do it all verbally, and it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.

I do not say I agree with the conclusions, but at least here is an attempt to explain the background. But I do particularly like the explanation on the term West Bank. After you see this,there are so many other resources are available for further informtion, including tons of books and media coverage. It will now be up to each to decide how many more details.

Filed Under: Daily Life, History, In First Person, Videos Tagged With: Israel, West Bank

Knights in Jerusalem Festival

November 16, 2011 By Birte Edwards Leave a Comment

Nights in November may be cold, especially in Jerusalem and more specifically in the evenings. But that should not hold anyone back from enjoying something unique – The Knights Festival in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Royalty in Jerusalem? Not since the Crusader times. But they are inviting you to experience the medieval festivities taking place in Jerusalem during the month of November.

The royal family has put on spectacular festivities every Thursday night during November. They have invited knights, singers, troubadours, magicians, dancers, soothsayers and court jesters and much more to entertain you, and to show you Jerusalem’s magic.

Your best access to the festivities is to enter the Old City through Jaffa Gate, and then wander through the Christian Quarter, particularly down to the Muristan Square. But keep your eyes and ears open for the entertainers are everywhere. This is truly a royal affair. All expenses for the entertainment has been paid for. You enjoy it all free of charge.

You may end up spending something, as some of the shop keepers will stay open late, as well as the eateries.

For more information: Jerusalem-Old City, Knights Festival

Filed Under: Jerusalem, November, Videos Tagged With: Festival, Jerusalem

Jewish History and Israel in Three Minutes

February 28, 2011 By Birte Edwards 2 Comments

History of Jewish people (and Israel) in three minutes?

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.
So how many words is a short animated movie worth?

One of the things that can be a little difficult is to understand the history of Israel and the Jewish people. What happened when – who were involved – who is the father of who and what they did and how it influenced history.

That’s why I often use pictures to explain a point. I love the fact that many of our sites have models and drawings. In some places there are even short movies. The feedback from my tourists tell me how much these tools help them understand what happened or what something looked like.

One issue that is often brought up by my tourists is how to remember the the history of Israel, and the history of the Jewish people, and how the two are connected. It’s not easy to remember 3000 years of history, when you hear it the first time. It is still not easy to remember after hearing it several times in the course of a short visit, while trying to absorb and remember lots of other information.

That why I thought this little video might help. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Events, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: History Israel, Israel, Jewish, Jewish history

Jerusalem 1918

February 19, 2011 By Birte Edwards Leave a Comment

This is rare footage of Jerusalem in 1918.

It was found with a Jewish family in Amsterdam. It is not clear if the head of the family filmed it himself or assembled it from various pieces.
It was uploaded by Yaacov Gross presumably for Hebrew speaking audience.
I apologize to my English readers that all titles are in Hebrew, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway. I wish I knew how to add English
subtitles.

The film shows Jerusalem inside the walls – Temple Mount, The Western Wall or as it was known then – the Wailing Wall. You will see the Arab market and Damascus Gate, as well as street scenes from just inside Jaffa Gate. There are shots of the Tomb of David on Mt. Zion, of “David’s Well” – better known as the Gihon Spring today; of Rachel’s Tomb and the Tomb of Absalom in the Kidron Valley. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jerusalem, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: Davids Tomb, Jerusalem, Rachels Tomb, Temple Mount, Wailing Wall, Western Wall

Ibex on My Bonnet

August 19, 2010 By Birte Edwards 1 Comment

There are some days as a guide that will always be remembered. Today was such a day.
Despite the incredible heat my tour today went to Ein Gedi, Masada and the Dead Sea.

I have been there more times than I can remember. The reason we visit is to walk up through the Nahal David Canyon, to the
fresh water pools and the waterfalls. In the middle of the desert. But for many of us it is also the opportunity to see the wild life, such ad the ibex and the hyrax.

Today was no different, except as we turn in toward the parking lot a great herd of ibex was feeding along side the road. Breathtaking as usual. We of course stopped to admire these exquisite animals, who are shy but not really afraid of people.

After a while we tore ourselves away, and I drove into the parking lot, and I was lucky to find a space under a tree that would give shade to the car. One of my tourists was the first out of the car, but within seconds she jumped back in, saying: What is that? pointing to the front of the car.

There, on the bonnet of my car stood a magnificent male ibex. I never saw him, as I pulled into the parking space, but he must have seen me immediately, and said: “Well, how nice of her to park right there. I can use the car to reach the leaves of that tree much easier”. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Nature and National Parks, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, ibex, Masada

The Jordan River

July 16, 2010 By Birte Edwards 1 Comment

For all its fame the Jordan River is not really a river. At least not when compared to the really great rivers of the world, and even the Middle East, such as the Mississippi, the Nile and the Euphrates. And still it is known my more people than most of the great rivers.

Songs have been written, stories are told, traditions and important events are told again and again. And against this there are other aspects to this venerated old river.

No one today will see it in its whole length, but only snatches and bits and pieces. In some places you may see fast flowing waters where modern water fun can be entertained. In other places a slowly meandering old river venerated for its religious importance.

The Upper Jordan River

The Jordan River runs from its sources Dan, Banias and Hazbani at the foot of the Hermon Mountain via the Sea of Galilee and empties out in the Dead Sea, for a total length of 320 km. The first part from the sources to the Sea of Galilee is also known as the Upper Jordan River. This part is some 80 km in length and has a steep drop from app. 343 m above sea level (near Banias) to 214 m below sea level (Sea of Galilee). [Read more...]

Filed Under: Galilee and Golan, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: Dead Sea, Jordan River, Sea Of Galilee

Israel Philharmonics at Dizengoff Center

July 6, 2010 By Birte Edwards 1 Comment

Often the shopping malls create special events, and on Friday mornings it is often a food market. Since weekends in Israel are Friday-Saturday, Friday morning is a great time to hold special events, such as food markets. Shoppers can either have breakfast, lunch or brunch or even better buy food for taking home, so they don’t have to cook over the weekend.

Friday morning a couple of weeks ago the Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv hosted a food market. From the look of it most shoppers were happy and content, and even more so when they got the surprise of their lives.

Among the shoppers were members of the Israel Philharmonics and its choir.

The noise level at such events is quite high, but the Philharmonics managed to quieten everybody when it struck up the chords and full version of Verdi’s Il Trovatore and Rigoletto.

I was not there, but saw the news broadcast in the evening. And when I saw the clip on YouTube, I knew I had to share it with others.

So let nobody tell you that Israel doesn’t have talent and initiative. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Culture, Recent Articles, Tel Aviv, Videos Tagged With: Dizengoff Center, food markets, Israel Philharmonics, Tel Aviv

The String (Harp) Bridge of Jerusalem

March 6, 2010 By Birte Edwards 5 Comments

Jerusalem’s newest landmark is the Harp Bridge.
This is a bit of old news, as it was inaugurated in June 2008. But since I talk about it every time I drive through Jerusalem with my tourists, and it is visible from almost everywhere in the city, it deserves a mention here.

As if Jerusalem needs more landmarks, what with the Old City, Mt. Olives, Temple Mount, Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, just to mention a few.

But Jerusalem also wants modern landmarks, and the latest is the Harp Bridge, or as it is often referred to in English – the String Bridge. It is one of those things that will not leave you cold. Either you hate it or you love it. For sure, it can be seen from long way away. On entering or leaving Jerusalem by Route One, you can’t help seeing it. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jerusalem, Recent Articles, Videos Tagged With: Jerusalem, landmark, Santiago Calatrav, String Bridge