Our Trip to Israel: October, 2010

Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea from Moshe and Orna’s apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. We stayed in their apartment.	Moshe, Judy, Orna and Richard in Moshe and Orna's apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. We stayed in their apartment.	Judy and Oren. Oren is Moshe's son and plays professional basketball in Israel.
Orna and Moshe's beautiful apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. We stayed in this apartment.	Moshe and Orna's beautiful apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. We stayed in this apartment.	Moshe & Orna's apartment - "our" bedroom with reinforced window (seen here) & reinforced door to protect from rocket attacks.
The Baha'i Gardens in Haifa: The international headquarters of the Baha'i faith is here.	Judy and Richard in the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa. Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea are in the background.	The Baha’i Gardens. Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea (Bay of Haifa) are in the background
Judy and Richard in the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa. Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea are in the background.	The Baha’i Gardens in Haifa. Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea are in the background.	Judy and Orna in the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa. Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea are in the background.
Judy, Orna & Richard - at the lower part of the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa.	Akko - the old city - population is 95% Arab. Our first immersion into the old world of Israel.	The clock tower in the old city of Akko - population is 95% Arab. Our first immersion into the old world of Israel.
Akko - the old city - population is 95% Arab. Our first immersion into the old world of Israel.	Akko - the old city - population is 95% Arab. A narrow street next to the sea wall which surrounds the city.	Akko - the old city - population is 95% Arab. Orna, Moshe and a little bit of Judy are seen to the left.
We had dinner here - outdoors at the Abu Christo Restaurant in the old city of Akko next to the Mediterranean Sea.	Orna, Moshe, Judy & Richard: Dinner outdoors - Abu Christo Restaurant in the old city of Akko next to the Mediterranean Sea.	Judy calling home via Skype using the netbook we brought from home.
The Israeli coast from Rosh Hanikra looking south along the Mediterranean Sea - at the Lebanese border.	Rosh Hanikra: The station to take the cable car down to view the sea grottoes - at the Lebanese border.	Rosh Hanikra: Judy with two Israeli soldiers in a tunnel built by the British during WWII - at the Lebanese border.
Cable car and lower cable station at Rosh Hanikra - at the Lebanese border.	A sea grotto at Rosh Hanikra - at the Lebanese border.	Rock formation carved out by the sea at Rosh Hanikra - at the Lebanese border.
Judy and Richard at Rosh Hanikra - at the Lebanese border marked by the buoys in the background.	Judy and Orna at Rosh Hanikra - at the Lebanese border marked by the buoys in the background.	Isfiya: A Druze (Arab) village on Mt. Carmel.
A store in Isfiya - a Druze (Arab) village on Mt. Carmel.	The main street of Isfiya - a Druze (Arab) village on Mt. Carmel. The signs in Arabic and Hebrew were of no help to us. :-)	Judy, Orna & Moshe having lunch in Isfiya - a Druze (Arab) village on Mt. Carmel.
Judy at Camel (not Carmel) Beach on the Mediterranean Sea in Haifa.	Judy (with big hat) sitting in a lounge/restaurant at Camel Beach in Haifa - she was ready for a drink.	Judy next to the Mediterranean Sea on Camel Beach in Haifa.
Judy next to the Mediterranean Sea on Camel Beach in Haifa.	Hadar: An old neighborhood in Haifa	Main intersection in Hadar in Haifa. McDee's is everywhere :-)
Hadar in Haifa: Main shopping area - looks like it could be in any city anywhere, except for the signs :-)	Lunch with Orna, Moshe and Oren on the patio of their apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa.	Caesarea: City wall and moat built by the Crusaders.
Caesarea: Partially reconstructed vaulted gatehouse (Gothic) built by the Crusaders.	Caesarea: Partially reconstructed vaulted gatehouse (Gothic) built by the Crusaders.	Caesarea: Judy near the ruins of a structure built by the Crusaders.
Caesarea: Ruins of a structure built by the Crusaders - perhaps it was a podium.	Caesarea: Ruins of a strucure built by the Crusaders.	Caesarea: Ruins of a structure built by the Crusaders - perhaps a hearth.
An Arab village: Several mosques and minarets are visible. We drove through this village.	Entering an Arab village to reach a road higher on the mountain in Upper Galilee seen in the photo.	We drove up this narrow street in this Arab village to reach a road on the mountain above it.
We drove up this narrow street in this Arab village to reach a road on the mountain above it.	We had just driven through the Arab Village shown in this photo to reach the road above it.	Hula Valley - photo from the Naftali Mountains. Golan Heights - in the background on the other side of the Valley to the east
Judy and Richard in the Neftali Mountains overlooking the Hula Valley with the Golan Heights across the Valley in the background	Moshe & Richard in the Neftali Mountains overlooking the Hula Valley with the Golan Heights across the Valley in the background	View from the Hula Valley looking toward the Golan Heights. Mt. Hermon is in the background.
On the eastern side of the Hula Valley approaching the Golan Heights, with Mt. Hermon in the background	In the Golan Heights near a military checkpoint to enter Syria	Banias: Site of artifacts of Roman temples and the Banias Spring, a source of water for the Jordan River
Banias Cave: Judy near the cave that may have been part of the Temple of Augustus built by King Herod around 20 b.c.e.	Banias Cave & niches carved out by Romans: Niches part of a courtyard dedicated to the worship of Pan.	Banias: Closeup of niches carved out by Romans – niches part of a courtyard dedicated to the worship of Pan.
Banias: Judy on the ruins of the Goat Temple. Behind her: Nemesis Courtyard, Temples of Zeus & Pan, and the cave.	Banias: Re-creation of how the ruins seen in the last few photos looked in Roman times	Banias: Artifacts from Roman Palace of Agrippas built nearby – piece in foreground is decorated altar with basin on top.
Banias: Richard using a device (by walking in a circle) to make letters, numbers and symbols in the sand.	Judy at the Banias Spring - one of the principal sources of water for the Jordan River.	The Banias Spring - one of the principal sources of water for the Jordan River.
Nimrod Castle/Fortress: In 1129 c.e., the Crusaders transformed an Arab fortress into this castle/fortress.	Moshe purchasing apples and Judy purchasing home-made jelly from a Druze Arab on the side of the road in the Golan Heights	Fenced-in area in the Golan Heights overlooking the Hula Valley: A military position used by Syria in Syrian/Israeli wars
Moshe and Judy: We had dinner here at the Kibbutz Merom Golan in the Golan Heights.	Judy at the Kibbutz Merom Golan in the Golan Heights. We had dinner here.	Vacation bungalows at the Kibbutz Merom Golan in the Golan Heights.
Back road leading to Syria - between two elevated areas - off of a main road - in the Golan Heights	Minefield warning sign next to a road in the Golan Heights. Mines were deployed by the Syrian army and some remain active.	The Jordan River - seen as we were traveling south from the Golan Heights
Moshe took us on this back road so we could view the Jordan River. Sea of Galilee is in the background (to the left).	The Jordan River - seen as we were traveling south from the Golan Heights	The Jordan River - seen as we were traveling south from the Golan Heights. The Sea of Galilee is in the background.
Moshe waits patiently in his car on a back road as Richard takes one more photo of the Jordan River. :-)	Volcanic rock on a back road next to the Jordan River and close to the Sea of Galilee.	The Sea of Galilee with mountains in Jordan in the background.
Judy at the Sea of Galilee with mountains in Jordan in the background.	The Sea of Galilee with mountains in Jordan (to the left) in the background.	Judy at the Sea of Galilee with mountains in Jordan in the background.
The Sea of Galilee	The Church of the Beatitudes next to the Sea of Galilee. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount was here.	The interior of the Church of the Beatitudes - next to the Sea of Galilee
Approaching the Old City in Jerusalem. The wall surrounding the Old City is seen.	An area of Jerusalem next to the Old City - upscale and very expensive to live there	Jerusalem: Wall surrounding the Old City. It was built by the Turks in the mid 1500’s.
Jerusalem: David Street just inside the Jaffa Gate of the Old City. Photo from the top of the Old City Wall.	Jerusalem: Judy on the wall surrounding the Christian Quarter of the Old City.	Jerusalem: The wall surrounding the Christian Quarter of the Old City.
Modern Jerusalem: Shown is the central hub for rail transportation - photo from the top of the Old City wall	Jerusalem: Moshe & Orna on the wall surrounding the Christian Quarter of the Old City.	The Old City Wall and an area of Jerusalem outside the Wall.
Jerusalem: Moshe & Orna on the stairs of the wall surrounding the Christian Quarter of the Old City.	Jerusalem: A schoolyard beside the City Wall in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. Photo taken from the City Wall.	Jerusalem: Judy (bottom) on the wall surrounding the Christian Quarter of the Old City.
Jerusalem: Rooftops in the Christian Quarter of the Old City.	Muslim Quarter of the Old City: From the top of the Old City Wall. Also seen - Dome of the Rock and the Mount of Olives	Jerusalem: The Muslim Quarter of the Old City as seen from the top of the Old City wall.
Jerusalem: Outdoor Arab market in Muslim Quarter of the Old City after we descended from the Old City Wall at the Damascus Gate.	Jerusalem: An indoor Arab market in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.	Jerusalem: Judy shopping in an indoor Arab market in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.
Jerusalem: Judy observing a tailor in an indoor Arab market in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.	Jerusalem: The Old City - Round plaque on the stone wall (where Jesus fell) is part of the Via Dolorosa.	Jerusalem: The Old City – Courtyard leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Jerusalem: The Old City – Courtyard with a dome that is on top of the Crypt of St. Helena, built by the Crusaders.	Jerusalem: The Old City – Entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher – the most sacred Christian place in Jerusalem.	Jerusalem: Old City – Judy, Moshe & Orna bought a drink called Sahlab at an Arab stand in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.
Jerusalem: The Old City – The Jewish Quarter	Jerusalem: The Old City – The Jewish Quarter. The Mount of Olives is in the background.	Jerusalem: The Jewish Quarter – The Western Wall to the left of the excavation site - behind it the Dome of the Rock (gold).
Jerusalem: The Jewish Quarter – The Western Wall to the left of the excavation site - behind it the Dome of the Rock (gold).	Jerusalem: Old City - The Jewish Quarter – The Western Wall to the left of the excavation site.	Jerusalem: Old City – Judy, Orna and Moshe - lunch at an Arab restaurant in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City.
A wall separating Israel from the West Bank.	Judy checking her email using the netbook we brought from home.	Nazareth: Judy - behind her is the Basilica of the Annunciation. Gabriel's announcement to Mary occurred here.
Nazareth: The front of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Gabriel's announcement to Mary occurred here.	Nazareth: The lower church of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Gabriel's announcement to Mary occurred here.	Nazareth: The grotto in the lower church of the Basilica of the Annunciation. Gabriel's announcement to Mary occurred here.
Nazareth: The Basilica of the Annunciation: Priest blessing people as they leave the lower church where the grotto is located.	Nazareth: The upper church of the Basilica of the Annunciation - parish for Nazareth's Roman Catholics.	Nazareth: Judy in front of the stained glass windows in the upper church of the Basilica of the Annunciation
Nazareth: Basement of the Church of St. Joseph - home of Joseph the Carpenter	Nazareth: Church of St. Joseph - the main worship area of the church	Street sign in Nazareth indicating how to get to different cities, towns and roads. Sign is in Hebrew, Arabic and English
Photo of Nazareth - from our car as we were leaving the city.	Zippori: The countryside around Zippori (called Sepphoris in Roman times).	Judy next to an olive tree in the Zippori National Park.
Zippori: Synagogue built in the 5th century c.e. – with a mosaic floor.	Zippori: Depiction of how the synagogue in the previous photo, built in the 5th century c.e., looked in those days.	Zippori: Mosaics on the floor of a synagogue built in the 5th century c.e. seen in the previous two photos.
Zippori: Mosaics on the floor of a synagogue built in the 5th century c.e. seen in previous photos.	Zippori: In the foreground is a public Roman building (1st to 4th centuries c.e.) containing Zippori’s market (agora).	Zippori: The Fortress – built by the Crusaders (1095-1291 c.e.) on the remains of an earlier structure.
Zippori: Judy on top of the Fortress - built by the Crusaders (1095-1291 c.e.) on the remains of an earlier structure.	Entrance to the necropolis of the ancient city of Bet She’arim. Burial caves are on the limestone hill to the left.	Bet She’arim: Burial Cave of Itzak Zaira, son of Shimon - in the necropolis. Hole above the entrance - how robbers entered.
Bet She’arim: Entrance to the burial Cave of the Head of the Sidonian Synagogue in the necropolis.	Bet She’arim: Entrance to the burial Cave of the Lone Sarcophagus, with a courtyard - in the necropolis.	Bet She’arim: Judy in the entrance to the burial Cave of the Lone Sarcophagus, with a courtyard - in the necropolis.
Bet She’arim: Benches around a courtyard in the necropolis of the ancient city of Bet She’arim. Served as a meeting place.	Bet She’arim: Judy looking into the burial Cave of Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, with a courtyard - in the necropolis	Bet She’arim: Judy in front of the burial Cave of the Coffins with a courtyard - in the necropolis
Bet She’arim: The burial Cave of the Coffins, with a courtyard - in the necropolis	Bet She’arim: The catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins in the necropolis of the ancient city of Bet She’arim.	Bet She’arim: A sarcophagus in the catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins in the necropolis of the ancient city of Bet She’arim.
Bet She’arim: Sarcophagus with a carved pair of lions & other decorations - in the catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins.	Bet She’arim: A passageway in the catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins in the necropolis of the ancient city of Bet She’arim.	Bet She’arim: Sarcophagus with a carved bird & another animal - in the catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins in the necropolis.
Bet She’arim: Carved menorah (universal symbol of Judaism) - in the catacombs of the Cave of the Coffins in the necropolis.	Richard in Tzfat	Passageway in Tzfat
Residents of Tzfat	Jerusalem Street – main street in Tzfat. We had coffee in the outdoor café on the right – see next photo.	Tzfat: Judy and I had coffee in this outdoor café on Jerusalem Street - seen on the right in the previous photo.
Tzfat	Tzfat: Wall surrounding the Citadel at the top of the town - largest Crusader castle/fort in the Middle East.	Judy on Jerusalem Street, the main street in Tzfat.
Tzfat	The Artists’ Quarter in Tzfat.	Judy holding a print we purchased in this shop in the Artists’ Quarter in Tzfat.
Husband of Sheva Chaya Shaiman and their child in front of their shop in the Artists’ Quarter in Tzfat.	The Artists’ Quarter in Tzfat.	Judy in the indoor market of the Jewish Quarter in Tzfat.
Moshe and his grandchild in Moshe and Orna's apartment on Mt. Carmel in Haifa.	Judy and Orna in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople.	Passageway in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople.
Judy and Orna in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople.	Passageway in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople.	Judy and Richard in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople. Mediterranean Sea is in the background.
A residence in Ein Hod which is a communal settlement of artists and craftspeople.	Judy and Orna in Ein Hod whcih is a communal settlement of artists and craftpeople. Mediterranean Sea is in the background.	Judy and Richard in Ein Hood which is a communal settlement of artists and craftpeople.
The busy main street of Daliat-El-Carmel on Mt. Carmel - a Druze (Arab) village. We shopped at the busy market here.	Orna in Daliat-El-Carmel on Mt. Carmel - a Druze (Arab) village. We shopped at the busy market here.	Orna and Judy in Daliat-El-Carmel on Mt. Carmel - a Druze (Arab) village. We shopped at the busy market here.
The port area of Haifa and the Mediterranean Sea from the Observation Tower at the University of Haifa	A wall separating Israel from the West Bank - seen while driving south of Jersualem toward Masada.	A Bedouin settlement in the mountainous desert in Judea, south of Jerusalem.
A Bedouin settlement in the mountainous desert in Judea, south of Jerusalem.	A Bedouin settlement in the mountainous desert in Judea, south of Jerusalem.	A Bedouin settlement in the mountainous desert in Judea, south of Jerusalem.
Road to Masada and the Dead Sea in the Judean Desert with beautiful cliff formations. The Dead Sea is to the left.	The Dead Sea as seen while traveling south to Masada - mountains in Jordan are in the background.	Judy - we stopped to admire the beautiful cliff formations while traveling south to Masada in the Judean Desert.
Sign in Hebrew, English and Arabic - swimming prohibited in the Dead Sea there. A grove is in this desert area - an oasis.	Sinkholes next to the Dead Sea - pools/cavities of water caused by the Dead Sea shrinking in size.	Driving south through a military checkpoint on our way to Masada. The West Bank is nearby.
Driving south to Masada through the Judean Desert. The Dead Sea is in the background.	This mountain/cliff is Masada. Masada is near the southwestern coast of the Dead Sea, in the Judean Desert.	Masada: Cable car, upper cable car station & walking path (Snake Path) to the top. We took the cable car.
Snake Path at Masada – people can walk to the top of Masada on this path instead of using the cable car.	Top of Masada: Building was the residence for King Herod’s family (1st century b.c.e.). Canopy - protection from the desert sun.	Top of Masada: Part of the wall surrounding Masada with the Dead Sea and mountains in Jordan in the background.
Top of Masada: Byzantine church erected during the 5th century c.e. by a small group of monks who lived on top of Masada.	Judy and Richard on top of Masada with the Dead Sea and mountains in Jordan in the background.	Top of Masada: The residence of King Herod’s family (1st century b.c.e.).
Top of Masada: This structure probably was part of King Herod's Western Palace (around 30 b.c.e).	Judy and Moshe on top of Masada with the Dead Sea in the background.	King Herod’s Western Palace (30 b.c.e.) on top of Masada – the largest structure on Masada.
Moshe at an entrance to the inside of King Herod’s Western Palace (30 b.c.e.), the largest structure on Masada.	Mosaic on the floor of a corridor leading to the private bath in King Herod’s Western Palace (30 b.c.e.) on top of Masada.	A private bath in King Herod’s Western Palace (30 b.c.e.) - on top of Masada.
Floor mosaic in King Herod’s Western Palace (30 b.c.e.): Mosaics of pomegranates, fig leaves & geometrical pattern of circles.	Structure on top of Masada.	Judy and Moshe near the wall surrounding the top of Masada. The mountainous Judean Desert is in the background.
The mountainous Judean Desert next to Masada.	Judy on top of Masada.	Western Gate to Masada – from the Byzantine era and built over the ruins of a gate built by King Herod.
Apse of a church built during the Byzantine era (5th century c.e.) on Masada by a small group of monks who lived there.	Judy on top of Masada - the Judean Desert is in the background.	Rectangle on the right is the trace of one of the Roman encampments surrounding Masada in the Judean Desert (1st cent. c.e.).
Siege ramp going up the side of Masada - ramp built by the Romans for their final assault on Masada (73 c.e.)	Judy on top of Masada with the Dead Sea and mountains of Jordan in the background.	Columbarium on Mosada: Pigeons (doves) roosted in the wall niches. Pigeons used as food & their droppings used as fertilizer.
This structure on Masada was a synagogue during the Jewish revolt against the Romans (around 70 c.e.)	Moshe - in a structure on Masada which was a synagogue during the Jewish revolt against the Romans (around 70 c.e.)	Moshe on the lowest terrace of King Herod’s Northern Palace (built around 30 b.c.e.) on Masada.
Model: Bottom two terraces of King Herod’s Northern Palace. The lowest terrace here is shown in the previous photo	Stairway on side of Masada's cliff. We used stairway to go from the top of Masada to the lowest level of King Herod’s Palace.	Looking down from the upper cable car station at Masada as we were leaving. The Dead Sea is in the background.
View of Masada as we were leaving it and heading north.	A private beach at a hotel in Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea. This was the only boat we saw on the Dead Sea.	The public beach in Ein Gedi, next to the Dead Sea. Judy is the leftmost swimmer in the center, floating on her belly.
Judy floating in the Dead Sea - arms up in the air - impossible to sink because of the salt concentration.	Judy floating in the Dead Sea - arms up in the air - impossible to sink because of the salt concentration.	Judy (black bathing suit at the very top of the ramp) heading for the shower to wash off the salt after being in the Dead Sea.
The public beach at the Dead Sea in Ein Gedi. Mountains in Jordan are in the background.	Approaching a military checkpoint before entering the West Bank. Another military checkpoint to enter Jordan is nearby	Driving through the West Bank: Fence separates Jordan from the West Bank. Jordanian village & mountains are in background.
Tel Aviv’s skyline seen from the promenade in Jaffa to the south, next to the Mediterranean Sea.	Tel Aviv: The Neve Tzedek section - the oldest neighborhood in the city.	Judy, Orna and Moshe at an outdoor café in Neve Tzedek – the oldest section of Tel Aviv.
A gentrified street in Neve Tzedek – the oldest section of Tel Aviv.	The promenade in Tel Aviv next to the beach on the Mediterranean Sea - extends the complete length of the city, north to south.	A fisherman on a jetty - the beach in Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea.
Tel Aviv’s skyline seen from the promenade in Jaffa to the south, next to the Mediterranean Sea.	Judy and Richard on the promenade in Jaffa - Tel Aviv’s skyline and the Meditteranean Sea are in the backgorund.	Clock tower in Jaffa’s central square. Completed in 1906 - marks 30th anniversary of Ottoman sultan, Abdul Hamid II's reign.
Man selling pomegranate juice - near the Mediterranean Sea in Jaffa. Fisherman & entrance to old Jaffa port in the background.	Two men playing chess close to the Mediterranean Sea - in Jaffa. Part of Jaffa’s old city wall is in the background.	Tel Aviv as seen from the south in Jaffa, next to the Mediterranean Sea. Contrast of old and new styles of architecture.
Judy, Moshe and Orna in a passageway in the old section of Jaffa.	A passageway in the old section of Jaffa.	Orna on a passageway in the artist’s section – part of the old section of Jaffa.
A passageway in the old section of Jaffa.	A passageway in the old section of Jaffa.	Minaret of the Al-Bahr Mosque in Jaffa - Mediterranean Sea and skyline of Tel Aviv are in the background.
Fisherman along the Mediterranean Sea in Jaffa. The entrance to the Jaffa port is in the background.	Andromeda’s Rock off the coast of Jaffa: Greek mythology - where Andromeda was sacrificed to a sea monster to appease Poseidon.	Hassan Bek Mosque & minaret - Jaffa. Built by Turks, 1916. Tied to Israeli-Palestinian conflict - site of many conflicts
We were having dinner on the promenade next to the beach on the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv.