The Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights
by Gil on Apr.05, 2022, under Happenings
Our hotel balcony overlooked the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) and beyond to the Golan Heights. The lake is approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide and is the second-lowest lake on earth, 686 feet below sea level. It is fed by the Jordan River from the south as well as underground springs. The area around the Sea of Galilee is where, according to the bible, Jesus did much of his ministering. Strategically, it is obvious that when Israel was divided the Lebanese and Syrians held the military advantage of the high ground. After numerous attacks, Israel decided to take the Golan heights to eliminate the strategically untenable situation. Our first visit was to an Israeli self-propelled artillery unit in the Golan Heights near the scene of the major battle. We first visited a memorial to Israelis who lost their lives and view tank defenses and bunkers. At the army base, a 23-year-old tank unit commander explains the unit’s mission and its constant preparation.
- View of valley from Golan
- Memorial
- Syrian Bunker
- Tank barriers
- Unit Crest
- Tank Unit Commander
- Ammo Vehicles
- Self Propelled armillary
- Business End
- Group Photo
On our way to visit a Kubitz, we stop at what’s left of the Syrian Army headquarters destroyed during the war.
- Syrian Headquarters
- Graffiti
- Battle damage
- Battle damage
We then visit and have lunch at a Kubutz. Our host explains the concept and workings of these small socialist units, that are scattered around Israel. Early in the history of the new nation, there were more of these settlements primaily in the agriculture segment. Today less than 3% lives and work in these settlements. They engage in a variety of enterprises including tourism, manufacturing as well as agriculture. As 0ur guide said, it’s not for everyone, but very interesting.
- Kubutz Host
- Kubutz Home
We then take a step back in history to visit the ancient ruin of a synagogue and spring used in dying cloth. This site has been partially reconstructed using computer programs that determined the placement of each stone. Umm el-Kanatir is one of the world’s oldest synagogues, and Jeremy explained that the basic layout is a design that continues today. We ended the day with a stop at where the Jordan River enters the lake. Our view is north where we will tour tomorrow.
- Synagogue site
- Springs and dying pools
- Visitor center from site
- Jeremy Explains
- Synagogue Structure
- Main Entrance
- Reconstructed structure
- Sea of Galilee
We start our last day at the Sea of Galilee with a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes and Tabgha. The Church of the Beatitudes is built on a hill, near the site of a Byzantine ruin thought to be where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. It is another Antonio Baruzzi design and is shaped as an octagon to signify the Eight Beatitudes from the Bible. It is thought that it was in a nearby cave that Jesus first spoke the Beatitudes. The Tabgha is the Church of the Loaves and Fish commemorating the biblical miracle that is thought to have occurred at this location.
- The Church of the Beatitudes
- Center of the Octagon
- The Church of the Loaves and Fish
- Mosaic fish design
Next, we explored a modern-day art colony, and view some contemporary art. Jeremy took us to a current-day synagogue and explains the nature of the religious practices.
- Village now an artist haven
- Old village streets
- Attractive Shops
- Local Artist
- Jeremy Explains the service
- Contemporary Synagogue
Our final stop in Galilee was at the Synagogue of Capernaum, a very significant religious location. The synagogue is adjacent to an ancient village thought to be the site of Jesus healing the crippled man. Saint Peters’s house is thought to be in the village. The synagogue and village are mentioned repeatedly in the bible and artifacts tie to the narrative. A saucer-shaped church is built over the village centered on Saint Peters’s home. We then are picked up by our helicopter pilot “Speedy” who flies us back to the coast and south past Tel Aviv, with great views of Capernaum as we leave, Caesarea, and past Tel Aviv to a village near Jerusalem.
- Capernaum
- Synagogue Ruins
- Church over Village
- View St. Peters Home
- Speedy briefs the Gal’s
- Capernaum from the air
- Caesarea aqueduct
- The Race Track at Caesarea
- The amphitheater at Caesarea
- Tel Aviv