Rails to Trails: A Transformation to Freedom

The following is a guest post by Ayala Gordesky. Jerusalem has awakened in that last five or six years, recovering from the slump in tourism and during the first intifada. Visitors have returned to Jerusalem, enjoying the numerous fairs, concerts, and festivals. For the permanent residents, … [Read more...]

Family Trip: Bat Yam Promenade

On Tuesday, our last full day of chol hamoed Sukkot,  a morning appointment left us only a few hours of  daylight. I said, "Let's go to the beach!" We wanted something fairly close. I searched for information about the Bat Yam beach and found a glowing description of the tayelet, or … [Read more...]

The Museum at Chatzar Kineret

It’s hard to imagine what life must have been like for the young people who made aliyah on their own, long before the state of Israel was established. On our recent family trip, we visited the museum in Chatzar Kineret. Also known as Chavat Kinneret (Kinneret Farm), this was one of the earliest … [Read more...]

Family Trip to Migdal Tzedek

On Friday, we were looking for a short day trip and decided on Migdal Tzedek in Rosh Haayin. The Parks Authority is in the middle of renovating this castle, found on an important route between Syria and Egypt. Archological evidence shows settlement from the Roman and Byzantine period, as well as … [Read more...]

Minor Misadventures in Travel

We're back in New York after a three-day visit to Washington, D.C. Compared to our trip two years ago, the trip was painless. The plane to DC waited on the ground for 90 minutes because of bad weather along the way, but the stewardess kept her sense of humor: "If you have a question, I'll be happy … [Read more...]

Adventures in Nachal Sephunim

Yesterday we went on a hike to Nachal Sefunim, in the Carmel near Haifa . Sefunim, with a samech, means hidden like Tzafun in the Passover Seder, or panelled. Till we got out and on our way, and ate, we were ready to start walking at 15:00 (that's 3:00 PM for you Americans). We figured an hour … [Read more...]

Free and Inexpensive Family Trips in Israel: Guest Post by Robin

Since Robin from Around the Island is always taking her family to interesting places, I invited her to share ideas for inexpensive summer activities. Hi everyone, I'm Robin from over at Around the Island. My family loves to escape the urban jungle get out and enjoy this beautiful country we live … [Read more...]

In Which I Fall Head Over Heels. . .

into the rocks of a mountain in the Shomron, that is. On the first day of Chol Hamoed (the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday), we went with friends on an organized hike through Nachal Shiloh. We hesitated about the security, the length (four hours!) and the possibility of rain, but decided to … [Read more...]