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).

The Banias

Dan and Banias are nature reserves as well as historical site. They both have hikes of varying lengths and difficulty to suit all. Within the Dan reserve is the ancient mound of Tel Dan, where one of the best preserved horned alters can still be seen, as well as the impressive Canaanite and Israelite city gates. It was here that the famous stelae was found carrying the words Beit David, House of David.

Banias , or  Caesarea Phillipi, is known for its Roman and Greek temples to Pan, but more so for being the place of Peter’s Confession (Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29).

On the upper river there are several places where rafting, kayaking or inner tubing can be done. Following good winters with much rain and snow the water rushes in places over boulders, creating decent rapids for the more adventurous spirits. In other places the water always run more placidly, and is therefore suitable for the whole family.

The Sea of Galilee

After some 80 km the Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee not far from the ancient town of Beit Saida.  The Kinneret as it is known in Hebrew is app. 21 km long and 13 km across at its widest and goes down to a depth of 43 m. It is the only freshwater lake in Israel, and serves as an attraction to local and foreign tourism, as a holiday area, as well as supplying some 50% of fresh water to Israel.

The Lower Jordan River

The Jordan River runs out of the the Sea of Galilee on the south western edge, and runs for another app. 250 km till it reaches the Dead Sea. This part is known as the Lower Jordan River, and the flow here is much slower as the drop is from -214 to -420 over the longer distance. Almost the full length of the Lower River also serves as border between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.

On the lower river, very close to the exit out of the Sea of Galilee, is the place most visited by Christian tourists. At the Yardenit Baptismal Site it is possible for any visitor to truly see and touch the waters of the Jordan River. The place offers facilities for baptizing, and for many pilgrims this becomes one of the highlights of their tour in Israel.

Baptism

This is not the place where Jesus was baptized (Matt 3:13). The traditional site of the baptism of Jesus is some 5 km north of the Dead Sea. This site is not approachable from the Israeli side, only from the Jordanian side.

Best known as the place of the baptism of Jesus, the Jordan River offers the visitor many exciting moments from its headwaters near the Hermon Mountain until its end in the Dead Sea.

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!

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.

The Harp Bridge has been built to serve the light rail being installed in Jerusalem to relieve congestion and to get rid of some of the busses that today make up all of public transport in the city. Though construction of the rail is way overdue, the bridge was inaugurated a couple of years ago, and expected to be taken into use within two years. The only ones so far using the bridge are pedestrians, who can now safely cross the extremely busy intersection at the entrance to the city.

However, as a landmark is can also claim to be a world landmark. It is the longest, curved single support suspension bridge in the world. The support, or the Finger, rises to a height of 183 meters. I don’t know how long it is, but it is long. The whole structure was designed by the Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrav, the world’s expert on suspension bridges. It was built to the tune of $73 million, way above what a more conventional bridge would have cost. This alone was the subject of much of the controversy over the bridge. Discussions were also over the whether it fit into the Jerusalem landscape.

It became know as the Harp Bridge or String Bridge due to the massive wires strung from various points of the finger down to the bridge itself.

So now Jerusalem has its new landmark, whether we like it or not, whether we agree to the extraordinary cost (after all its already built). The citizens of Jerusalem have become used to it by now, and may already have forgotten, what they thought about it at first. You will see it, no doubt, when you visit Jerusalem.

Here is a news item on the String Bridge that give you different perspectives from around the time of its inauguration.

This week it is the turn of Reggae star Alpha Blondy from Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Alpha Blondy is not just a internationally renown reggae singer, but also a social activist in his home country and around the world. He used his music in activism against apartheid, social injustice and warcrimes, especially during the civil war in Ivory Coast.

Blondy has been her before, but this time he came with his wife, Ran Young Hong Kone, who has never visited Israel. One of the first places that Blondy wants to take her is to Jerusalem, and in particular to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is where Blondy met Jesus, or as he calls him ‘my big brother Jesus’.

Blondy is here not just as a tourist but to perform at the inauguration of the African Center in the University of Ben Gurion, in Beersheva. The inauguration is a two-day event, and one of the songs that Blondy is planning to sing is his tribute to Yitzhak Rabin z”l, assassinated in 1995. He also intends to perform “Jerusalem”, a song he wrote in 1985 after his first visit.

“Jerusalem” at live concert July 2008

Article Source:  Ha’aretz Israeli Daily Newspaper in English

Jerusalem throughout its history was a walled city. Something that started changing, when the first housing project, Mishkenot Ha’Shaananim, was built by the British Jewish philanthropist Moses Montefiore in 1860.

To enter or exit any walled city, there must be gates. And Jerusalem has for the last 130 years had seven open gates and one closed one. There are two additional closed gates, or rather remains, that go back to the Herodian Temple Mount. One new open gate came into being some 15 years ago, when the remains of a much earlier Dung Gate was discovered and reopened.

Almost all of the gates date back to the last time the walls of Jerusalem were built, which happened around 1536 under the orders of the Turkish Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent. Some of them were built on top of older gates, others came into being somewhat later. There are stories attached to each gate, which will be told in brief here.

So let’s take a look at the gates, starting with the south gate, Jaffa Gate.

Jaffa Gate

One of the most famous of the modern gates, and also one of the most visited. Built as part of the renovation of the walls by Suleiman the Magnificent. Most people look at the breaching as the gate, but as you will see from the little video below, the gate is the gate.
The name derives from the old road leading up from the coast from Jaffa.

The breaching was made by the Turks in 1898 to allow the German Kaiser Wilhelm II to be able to drive into the city in his carriage, which was too big to take the turn inside the gate. The intention had been to rebuild afterward, something that never happened, and so Jaffa Gate is the gate with most driving traffic as well.

Jaffa Gate to many is the epitomy of the Old City of Jerusalem. To hang around there, even sitting with a cup of coffee in one of the small coffee houses, is a lesson in Jerusalem life. It is a noisy affair, but also very colorful and picturesque.

Access is now easier than ever with the new Alrov-Mamilla Mall adjoining, adding more space outside the gate itself.

The New Gate

Moving westward and then a little north we come to the New Gate. As the name says it is the newest of the gates, and was created around 1880 to facilitate connection for Christians living in the Christian Quarter and their new neighborhoods springing up just outside.

Being new, quite small, and not so accessible, it is one of the lesser known gates of Jerusalem.

Damascus Gate

Continuing north for a few hundred meters we come to the Damascus Gate, so called as the road out of this gate ostensibly would lead you to Damascus.

Be that as it may Damascus Gate is the biggest of all the gates. It is also the most beautiful with magnificent cranellation decorating it. To get to the get one must descend a number of step, today built into a theater like structure.

This gate is completely a part of the main street of East Jerusalem and its Arab neighborhoods, and is therefore the main gate used by the Arabs of Jerusalem. But not only. Orthodox Jews move in and out,as it is fairly close to Meah Shearim, their main neighborhood in modern Jerusaelm. Tourists from all over are also fascinated by this great gate.

This is one of the oldest gates, not in its present form. Following the excavations and surveys in the aftermath of the Six-Day War, the Hadrianic gate, built in the 2nd century, was discovered, excavated and opened to the public.

Herod’s Gate

This gate is also known as The Flower Gate. I will admit my lack of knowledge here, as to the origins of these two names.
This is one of the least known and used gates, except for the local Arab population. Since the origins of the names are so muddled, there are no stories or traditions attached to this gate.

Lions Gate

This gate more than others symbolizes the construction of the walls and the gates of Jerusalem in 1536 by Suleiman the Magnificent. The lions decorating the outer walls are said to have be placed there as a reminder of the dream that caused Suleiman to have the walls rebuilt.

The main access to this gate is a rather steep road up from the Kidron Valley. Despite this it is a favored entrance into the city by pedestrians and cars to the Muslim Quarter. It is one of the closest routes to take for the Church of St. Anne, and the Via Dolorosa.

The gate is also known as St. Stephen’s Gate. St. Stephen was one of the first followers of Jesus to be sentenced to death. The tradition is that he was brought from Temple Mount to the Kidron Valley via this gate.

The Eastern (Golden) Gate

Unreachable from the outside and the inside, this is the only blocked gate. It was blocked toward the end of the Byzantine period for reasons of defense. The Eastern Gate was part of the Herodian Temple Mount, and used by the priests to access the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives.

Christians hold that this is the gate through which Jesus will enter upon his return, therefore the name, The Golden Gate.

Dung Gate

Now how is that for a name, and yes it is spelled right. This gate lies in the lowest level of the city, and therefore its name. All the garbage of the city would be washed down this way and deposite outside, hence the name.

It is today the main access gate to the Western Wall Plaza, as well as to the only entry way for visitors to Temple Mount. It is a problematic gate due to the amount of people moving through at all times, but also the traffic exiting from the Jaffa Gate road and the Jewish Quarter.

Luckily, some 15 years ago the old Byzantine 5th century gate was discovered and opened, so that pedestrian traffic has become a little safer.

Zion Gate

The last of the gate on our tour round the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. This gate received its name as it is lying on top of Mount Zion. This gate also sees a lot of pedestrian traffic, as outside is the almost the only parking place for busses.

It allows from easy access into the Jewish Quarter, and just outside are a number of important religious sites, such as The Room of the Last Supper, King David’s Tomb, and the Dormition Abbey.

A short walk westward will bring us back to the starting point of this quick tour of the gates of Jerusalem. Enjoy the little movie I put together from my own pictures but also pictures found on the internet.

Of course to really appreciate the Gates of Jerusalem, a personal visit is recommended. Contact me for more tour information on guided tours, private car or bus, to Israel and Jerusalem

The Jesus Trail is a hiking tour through the Galilee that Jesus would have known. The moving force behind the development of the trail are Maoz Inon, an Israeli entrepreneur, and David Landis, a Mennonite from the US. The idea behind the trail is to allow visitors to Israel the opportunity to experience the Galilee scenery in a new way, as well as helping businesses in out-of-the way places to make more money.

But there is more to it than that. As reported in StarTribune.com | Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota:

Though the venture is called the Jesus Trail, the appeal is meant to be broad. Nazareth and the Galilee are important to Christians, who regard the area as the setting of Jesus’s boyhood, adult ministry and initial miracles. However, the route is a layer cake of “narratives,” covering Christian holy sites, small Arab towns typical of northern Israel, the remnants of Palestinian villages empty since Israel’s 1948 war of independence, ancient Jewish sites, modern kibbutzim, Crusader battlefields and Muslim shrines.

The Jesus Trail is still in its infancy, but is constantly being improved. From the website of the Jesus Trail:

The Jesus Trail offers an alternative for travelers and pilgrims to experience the steps of Jesus in a way that is authentic, adventurous and educational by trekking through the rugged and beautiful landscape of the Galilee.The main Jesus Trail route is 65 km and begins in Nazareth and passes through Sepphoris, Cana, Kibbutz Lavi, Arbel Cliffs, Tabgha, Capernaum, and the Mount of Beatitudes. An optional return loop to Nazareth passes through Tiberias, the Jordan River, Mount Tabor, and Mount Precipice.

The trail is made up of several journeys that can be hiked individually or in full. The organizers will rent out GPS, organize guides and more.

At present only the first section is guided by volunteer guides. There are daily tours that start at 8 am from the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, except Sunday.

For full article on The Jesus Trail – A Spiritual Journey By Howard Schneider, Washington Post

For the Jesus Trail Website.

Scout Camp

Luckily there are lots of activities for the children, if you can afford it, and unfortunately not all families can.

During July and in some cases even the beginning of August, the children will go to summer camp. For the younger children they are day camps with hours a little longer than regular school days. For older children it can also be sleep-over camps. The cost of these camps vary greatly depending on the area, who are the organizers, the amount of activities etc.

But not all children go to camp and even those who go will not go for the whole two months. The end of August is probably the hardest time for all in Israel. This is the time when everybody will be off, no more camps, only one thing to do if you work and that is to take holiday at this time.

Tel Aviv Beach

Yes, hotels get overcrowded. The beaches and swimming pools barely have room for the early birds. All activities geared to children are filled to capacity. This is also the time when Israelis travel abroad with their children. So airfares are high. Local hotel rates are high.

And to top it all off – July/August – is a term well known to all Israelis. These are the two hottest months, so much so that songs are written about it.

If for some reason you need to deal with the authorities at this time of the year, you better fortify yourself with lots of patience and some good reading material, while you wait.

But there are also lots of great activities during this time. This year, starting on July 12th, Israel is once again hosting the Maccabiah Games, a kind of Jewish Olympics.

There are film festivals, especially the world renowned Jerusalem Film Festival, and many other events to keep the summer busy, and to make us stop thinking about the heat.

This is Israel and life continues, and we come through it with flying colors. But come September 1, you can hear the whole country sigh a sigh of relief; “Phew, we did it once more”.

Israel’s top singer, Shlomo Artzi, sings his song “Hom Juli-August” (July-August Heat)

Please leave comment, or suggestion on what you want to know about Israel

It truly is a wonder. The Dead Sea is but a small part of the Syrian-East African Rift Valley, but extremely unique within that unique natural phenomena. It lies some 420 m (app. 1300 feet) below sea level, and its shores are thus the lowest dry point on earth.

As if that is not enough the Dead Sea is also the saltiest body of water on earth with a salt (actually mineral) content of app. 33%, some 8.5 times saltier than any oceans.

The Dead Sea got its name due to no living creatures being able to live there. But that did not stop people of ancient times to understand its economic value in salt extraction as well as health care.

Today The Dead Sea is not just a tourist point, but also a place for health and beauty care. Even Cleopatra is said to have come here for health and beauty reasons. People come here from all over the world to benefit from the Sea’s and the areas therapeutic qualities. Some of the afflictions that can be treated here are skin problems like psoriasis and eczema, rheumatism and arthritis, general muscle aches, and more.

Treatments is a combination of bathing in the Dead Sea, the use of the famous black mud found in abundance on the shores and rich in many minerals, as well as sunbathing. Lying so deep there is a thicker atmosphere at the Dead Sea than anywhere else, making sunbathing healthier and safer.

Of course you don’t have to suffer from ailments to enjoy the Dead Sea. In fact you can even take it home with you in the form of a great number of beauty and health products being produced today by many various companies.

Of course when visiting the Dead Sea there are a number of natural and historical sites to see as well, such as Masada, Qumran, the nature reserve of Ein Gedi with a possible glimpse into the wildlife of the Judean Desert, such as the ibex and the hyrax.

Unfortunately the Dead Sea is seeing some hard times. Due to changes in water management on both the Israeli and Jordanian side, as well as a continuous lack of rain fall in the Middle East, as well as some other unknown reasons, the Dead Sea has been shrinking over the last 30 years or so.

There are talks between Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians of creating a channel from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, to utilize the drop in height for hydroelectric purposes, but also to allow for water to enter the Dead Sea. This project is strongly contended and as of the writing of this no decisions have been made.

The Dead Sea is a contender in the New Seven Wonders of the World contest. I only discovered this today so there is not much time left to vote. I did and if you read this in time, maybe you will also want to do it.

Whether the Dead Sea is voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World or not, it is worth a visit.