Gamla

In 67 AD, at the beginning of the first Jewish Rebellion against Rome, Gamla was overrun by Roman soldiers and over 9,000 Jews chose to jump off the mountain rather than face subjugation by the Romans. This story gives Gamla the title, “The Masada of the North.” Gamla, built as a settlement in the third century B.C.E. in the southern part of the Golan Heights, overlooks the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). The ancient city was built on a steep hill thus giving it the name Gamla (meaning camel in Hebrew) is now a nature reserve and an archeological site. This is one of my favorite hikes (yes, really) and one of the most interesting places to visit in Israel, and, sadly, it is left off of most people’s itineraries.

Site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamla
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/gamala.html

Ha Tachana

The first railway line between Little Asia and Egypt, and the first means of transportation to replace the camel as the mode of transportation for heavy loads taken over long distances, was the Jaffa-Jerusalem line located between the sea shore and the Neve Tzedek neighborhood, operated from 1892 to 1948. For years I never really noticed the billboards that lined the property – they were kind of just “there” and it was like no one knew that anything was going on and then POOF one day this place appears and the first Train Station in Tel Aviv – Jaffa has now been transformed into one of the coolest new places in Tel Aviv sporting upscale boutiques, restaurants and art and cultural exhibitions. I must say that in my mind this is the most “American” (and I mean that in a good way) project I’ve seen in Israel – feels like San Diego!

Located at the south end of Neve Tzedek next to the IDF History Museum and across from the Mediterranean. The exact address is 1 Koifmann Street, Tel Aviv – Jaffa. There is a parking lot and is easily accessible by the Dan bus lines 25, 10, 8 and 100.

Site: http://www.hatachana.co.il

The Israel Museum

Not actually new, but newly renovated, the Museum underwent a three-year, $100 million renovation, which was completed in summer 2010. The Israel Museum is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and is ranked among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Leave yourself a good few hours and do your research on your options to explore the museum – on your own, with a docent, with an audio guide, guided tours, etc. and figure out the best way for you!

The Israel Museum is located in Jerusalem on Ruppin Boulevard, near the Knesset (Israeli Parliament).

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Israel
Telephone: + 972 2 670 8811
Site: http://www.english.imjnet.org.il

De Karina Chocolate

When you taste this chocolate, you won't care how fattening it is! It is made in the cutest chocolate factory in Ein Zivan Kibbutz in the Northern Golan Heights. The establishment, owned by Argentine immigrants who are third-generation chocolatiers, includes a boutique and café. You can just browse or lounge in the café, or you can do a tour and a tasting. They also do chocolate-making workshops (need to reserve in advance). All their chocolates are handmade and it is kosher lemehadrin.

Their website doesn’t seem to be completed yet but some concepts don’t need words!
http://www.de-karina.co.il

To make a reservation, contact Ruth Sade, Visitor Center Manager
Telephone: +972 4 699 3622
Cell Phone: +972 54 252 7040
Email ruth@de-karina.co.il

(Please tell Ruth that I told you to contact her and don’t worry, she speaks perfect English; Ruth’s father is Irish!)

The Museum of the Seam

For those of you who are “advanced” in Jerusalem, here is something I suggest you check out. Museum of the Seam is a museum of socio-political contemporary art to raise controversial subject for public discussion. I had passed by this museum a number of times but their current exhibit, Westend, caught my eye and captured my imagination, so we decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did. The museum is housed in a building that was built by a private family in 1932 and served as an army outpost from 1948 until 1967 since it was located on the border of Israel and Jordan, next to the Mandelbaum Gate that connected the divided city. Since this building was used as an outpost, throughout the museum there are “lookout points” that give you different perspectives on the city. If you visit, go up to the roof for a unique panoramic view of Jerusalem as well as a nice café lounge that gives you more information about the museum. I made a reservation, but you don’t have to; tours are self-guided.

4 Chel Handasa Street
Jerusalem
Telephone:02-628-1278
Site: http://www.mots.org.il/Eng/Index.asp

Palmach Museum

This is one of my favorite museums hands-down and right for all ages. It’s not so much of a museum as an experience that connects you emotionally and mentally to the young men and women who fought to defend and build the State of Israel. I think this would be the perfect way to start your trip in Israel because the experience will stay with you as you travel. Actually, it is perfect at any point during your visit and is an excellent museum whether you are a first-timer to Israel or have been here 100 times. Be sure and book ahead because you go through as groups.

10 Haim Levanon Street
Ramat Aviv
Tel Aviv
Telephone:Reservations Necessary, to arrange a tour call
+972-3-643-6393 or email palmach_reservation@mod.gov.il
Site: http://www.palmach.org.il/show_item.asp?
itemId=8096&levelId=42798&itemType=

Stalbet Al Ha Mayim at the Dolphin Reef

If you are in Eilat, you should visit Stalbet Al Ha Mayim at the Famous Dolphin Reef. Stalbet is slang for “hanging out, chilling out and just enjoying … “to be.”

There are three pools, one with sea water, one with rain water and one with salt where you can really float. They play cool music and there are “therapists” in the pool that “guide you” as you float. Besides the pools, there are lots of different places inside and outside for you to hang out, eat, drink etc.

It’s open from early morning until late at night. You do need reservations; each reservation is for two hours.

Telephone: +972 8 630 0111
Site: http://www.dolphinreef.co.il/Default.aspx?tabid=1
http://www.dolphinreef.co.il/Default.aspx?tabid=59

Yad Vashem

I am surprised I am adding this, because to me, it is obvious. But Yad Vashem is such a powerful experience and such an incredibly designed museum that it occurred to me that I should include it. I think that Yad Vashem, the national Authority for the Remembrance of the Martyrs and Heroes of the Holocaust as well as the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust, which is also the second-most visited site in Israel after the Western Wall, is a must see for everyone that visits Israel. The museum was established in 1953 by the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) to commemorate the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators during the years 1933-1945. The renovated museum, opened in June 2005, was designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie who also designed the Children’s Memorial of the Museum years earlier. The renovated museum is centered on light as you make your way through the galleries, built through the mountain, with the single skylight above. You can visit the museum on your own and entrance is free; you can rent an “audio-guide” on the spot. However, my suggestion is to order a private docent (there are no group tours) that are trained and educated by the museum. If you wish to order a private guide, please fill out this form and return it to the Groups’ Department. (Please note on the form that you received it from THE ASSOCIATED.)

Yad Vashem
The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority
Har Hazikaron
Site: http://www.yadvashem.org/