Israel is a country of contrasts where both religious and non religious can live happily side by side without the one forcing its ideas on the other.
For example last Sunday we stayed at a religious kibbutz in the Galilee, simple and comfortable, solid down to earth food and modesty everywhere; modestly attired young ladies at the reception, modest beige and cream décor, quietly spoken men and women mostly dressed in black waiting patiently to register.
The next night, Haifa was a complete contrast, a choice of French, Italian and American cuisine awaited us near the hotel, young ladies in beauty accentuating attire, highlighted by an ultra modern pink flashed, and deep blue mural on peach and light green colored walls, behind them.
The cinema next door showed the “rendezvous” by Claude Lelouche. It was about a reputedly wanton woman calmed and made happy by a reputed pedophile.
This movie is an important contribution to shattering the usual human error of judging people by appearances and our erroneous inclination of making appearances fit wrong preconceptions which we pick up on the news or from “so called” friends, whose sole objective in being our friends is to malign someone we might like but who they want us to dislike either for some mysterious reason known only to themselves or as a means of ingratiating themselves by telling some scandal about someone we’ve never met. Then when we really meet that person we scorn him on the basis of what we’ve heard our so called friend tell about him.
After parking the Viano in Brandeis Street, a small, beautiful residential area of the top of Mt. Carmel, and seeing the parking meter swallow my 5 shekels without issuing the required paid parking notice to put in the window, I returned to my room where I munched a hamburger while watching the news which was all about Haim Yevin, the famous Israeli broadcaster who was retiring.
He has been forming our opinions about everything that’s happened in Israel and about our leaders from the time of Golda Meir in the 1960’s to the time of Prime Minister Olmert (2008 and still going strong).
From now on our opinions will be formed by two youthful newscasters. They will only succeed in influencing us about future events and leaders if we don’t change our opinions which their predecessors like Yevin gave us about leaders of the past.
I traveled 2 hrs to the Open University in Ranaana last Friday to hear how Rabbi Judah Nasi, of Tsipori, the compiler of the Mishna in the 3rd century helped the Jewish People adapt to the new circumstances of being a nation without a temple, without a capital and a homeland ruled by Rome.
According to Prof Aaron Openheimer* Rabbi Judah Nasi wanted to put the temple behind him, he even tried to cancel the fast of Tisha B’Av and other fasts relating to the destruction of the temple. The is probably the origin of the prohibitions against performing national ceremonies that used to take place in the temple, like sacrificing animals, blowing the shofar and playing musical instruments in synagogues.
After the lecture, being informed by Ariel that, Ophir, my grandson, would be sleeping until 4 o’clock, I took off, in the rain for the “petiliya” (paraffin burning primus stove), where the intoxicating, oriental, odor of spice and “pitsuchim” (mixture of nuts and grains used for snacking while watching our mind befuddling TV’s) stalls, wafted over a deliciously confusing mixture of both simple and elegant, umbrella carrying and soaking wet, curious, Friday morning strollers.
They couldn’t fool me even though I had a table on the sidewalk (covered), in easy eye distance; the women had been working hard to make themselves pretty so that they would attract me from the pleasure I was having with my 39 shekel goulash in Levinsky Str. I was having none of that and returned speedily to the Holy City.
Avishai, my son the cook also recommends the Persian restaurant in Zevulun Str. nearby. This coming week I hope to be able to report on the soup restaurant in Shehunat Hatikva (suburb of Tel Aviv) made famous in a Friday night TV report about unusual restaurants in Tel Aviv.
Wishing you a great no news day
Yours truly.
Leon.
The great spiritual leaders of Judaism – Rabbi Judah the Prince by Aharon Oppenheimer published by Shazar Center for History
Please contact us for your trip in Israel: info@haifatours.com or call us to + 972 4 862 0616
Bahai Gardens, Haifa, Israel
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Please contact us for your trip in Israel: info@haifatours.com or call us to + 972 4 862 0616
Cruise Passenger Tours
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Haifa Tours specializes in cruise ships. Our representative is always on pier when ship arrives. We provide guiding services to the ports of Haifa and Ashdod.
OUR RATES ARE MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN WHAT YOU MAY BUY ON THE SHIP (RATES PER CAR)
Please contact us for your trip in Israel: info@haifatours.com or call us to + 972 4 862 0616
Tours from Haifa
1. Nazareth and The Sea of Galilee
Driver/Guide for up to3 passengers 420$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 500$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 550$
Prices in US$
Nazareth- visits the basilica of the Annunciation- where the Angel announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah, on by Canna where Jesus changed water to wine, then to Cpernaum on the Sea of Galilee, the miracle of the fishes and bread and the site of the sermon on the mount, visit the Jordan River.
2. Safed and the Golan Heights
Driver/Guide for up to3 passengers 470$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 550$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 600$
Price is in U.S$
Safed. the center for many Jewish scholars who founded the Zohar and Kabala. We’ll visit the charming artist’ colony and the ancient Synagogue quarter, descend towards the Sea of Galilee, cross the Jordan river and ascend the Golan Heights, Enjoy breathtaking views overlooking the entire Sea of Galilee, Visit Shalom vista built on a former Syrian position Drive by the international point where the borders of Syria, Jordan and Israel meet. Make a stop at the Yardenit site where the Jordan River separates from the Sea of Galilee.
3. Haifa, Acco, Zippori, Rosh Hanikra
Driver/Guide for up to3 passengers 470$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 550$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 600$
Price is in U.S$
Haifa - visit exotic Bahai’ gardens and terraces. Acco visit the crusader underground city, port, the old inns. Rosh-Hnikra- descend by cable-car the grottos carved in into the white rock. Zippori - visit the ruins from Roman and Mishna time- see the Roman villa wit beautiful mosaic floor, the theatre and water system.
4. Jerusalem Jewish oriented
Driver/Guide for up to 3 passengers 570$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 650$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 700$
Price is in U.S$
Drive to Jerusalem - panorama from Mt. Scopus- drive along the walled old city- visit Western (Wailing) Wall- view Temple Mount visit Jewish Quarter the Cardo, Broad Wall- King David’s tomb, Yad Vashem, drive through Israeli Museum, the Shrine of the Book, the Knesset.
5. Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Driver/Guide for up to3 passengers Ask for Price
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers Ask for Price
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers Ask for Price
Jerusalem- visit Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, view the Temple Mount, walk through the Arab Bazaar of the Old City to the Christian Quarter. Visit the church of the Holy Sepulcher built on the site of crucifixion and burial of Jesus, on along the Via-Dolorosa, visit the Western (Wailing) Wall. Now to Bethlehem to see the church of Nativity marks the birth place of Jesus.
This are the ship that arrive to Israel: Noordam, Crown Odyssey, Legend of the Seas, Seabourn Spirit, Pacific Princes, Oriena, Marco Polo, Norwegian dream, Minerva, Costa Reviera, Ocean Majesty, Holland American Lines, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Lines and many others.
TOURS FROM ASHDOD
1. Jerusalem Jewish oriented
Driver/Guide for up to 3 passengers 420$Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 500$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 550$
Drive to Jerusalem - panorama from Mt. Scopus- drive along the walled old city- visit Western (Wailing) Wall- view Temple Mount visit Jewish Quarter the Cardo, Broad Wall- King David’s tomb, Yad Vashem, drive through Israeli Museum, the Shrine of the Book, the Knesset.
2. Jerusalem and Bethlehem
Driver/Guide for up to 3 passengers 420$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 500$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 550$
Jerusalem- visit Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, view the Temple Mount, walk through the Arab Bazaar of the Old City to the Christian Quarter. Visit the church of the Holy Sepulcher built on the site of crucifixion and burial of Jesus, on along the Via-Dolorosa, visit the Western (Wailing) Wall. Now to Bethlehem to see the church of Nativity marks the birth place of Jesus.
3. Tel-Aviv Jaffa
Driver/Guide for up to 3 passengers 420$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 500$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 550$
Price is in U.S$
Visit Jaffa, the Artist Colony, the Clock Tower and Flee Market.
Tel-Aviv - see Yiszhak Rabin square - Dizengof square, visit the Diaspora Museum.
4. Massada and the Dead Sea
Driver/Guide for up to 3 passengers 570$
Driver/Guide for up to 7 passengers 650$
Driver/Guide for up to 10 passengers 700$
Price is in U.S$
Pass by Qumran Caves- where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found. On to Massada, ascend by cable car to the mountaintop fortress to hear the heroic story and to see, the Synagogue, roman bath, defending walls and the water cistern. Now to the Dead Sea for floating upon the water.
“His skills in explaining and making the story sink in are better than any other guide I have used in the past”
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I have experienced Ronen’s tour guiding skills in both a very large group of 50+ and in a more intimate group consisting of my girlfriend and I. In both situations he has been outstanding.
Ronen’s style is very educational. He is not afraid to use visual aids to build and cement the story into the mind. I found his technique very effective and I am very surprised that I still remember a lot of his tour from 2 years ago.
I must also add that he is very intuitive to his customer’s interests. Walking through the Arab Quarter in the Old City he noticed that my girlfriend was intrigued by the colours and smells of the fresh produce in the market. He completely changed his tour from educational experience, to a lifestyle experience as to accommodate this interest and we had a very nice time in the market, eating the various foods and sampling the local’s hospitality.
He is a very warm and friendly person who you are comfortable to include in your party. His skills in explaining and making the story sink in are better than any other guide I have used in the past. And of course he knows his stuff and was competent in answering my questions.
I am confident he will be able to excel with families and groups of secular/spiritual persuasions whether Jew, Muslim or Christian.
Michael Z.
Please contact us for your trip in Israel: info@haifatours.com or call us to + 972 4 862 0616
“I won’t ever forget this trip”
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Dear Liat
I just got back to LA and really wanted to thank you for such an enjoyable tour! I am so glad that you explained so much to me about the sites, government and the Bible stories. I won’t ever forget this trip. Plus, I have to study up on my Hebrew so I can read my micro-calligraphy!
I am seeing my friend this afternoon and I am giving her your card. She and her husband want to travel to Israel later this year. I can’t recommend you enough.
Have a wonderful day
Krista
“Thank you so much for the absolutely spectacular time in Israel!”
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Dear Haim,
Thank you so much for the absolutely spectacular time in Israel! We miss you! We’ve been watching some of our video coverage and we are so thankful for the time spent with you and your great insights and knowledge. We feel like we left a part of ourselves in Israel! We’ve been reviewing all that we learned and experienced and have said that we will never read Scripture in the same light again. I’ve told many of my friends it is as if I was reading the Bible in black and white and now it’s in color.
Please know that you have a standing invitation to stay at our home if you are ever near Chicago! And also know that we will pray for you diligently so let us know if there is anything specific that we can pray for.
I meant to talk with you about this before we left but I think you should consider running for the Knesset. I believe you could contribute a great deal to the future of Israel. I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Blessings and Love to You,
L.
“I really appreciate all of his kindness and professionalism…”
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Dear Dan,
Greetings my friend! Just arrived back home and want you to know I had a great time in Jerusalem! Everyone made me feel right at home. Leon is a great guide and really knows Jerusalem! He is very patient and just a great down to earth guy. I really appreciate all of his kindness and professionalism. Your agency is really blessed to have such a person on your staff You guys are great! I love Jerusalem!
Andre
To the glee of the media the snow last week kept the citizens of Israel glued to their TV’s when they should have had better things to do than to watch the contortions of opposition party politicians figuring out ways of how to get rid of Olmert and get their own, conceited selves elected to power.
The Winograd report on the 2nd Lebanese war didn’t criticize Olmert. This was a great disappointment for all those people who think they can do a better job of running the country than any prime minister and for the media who would have continued to keep us glued to our TV’s to listen to comments and counter comments of future “leaders” of Israel.
A pleasant odorful Cuban smoke wafting from a San Cristobal, my faithful computer, now running quietly thanks to my friend, Donald, the computer genius and Beethoven’s Eroica symphony, I was well prepared for the snow. Even my slight irritation at having my Massada tour postponed was placated.
The next day, however, I was very happy to be tramping through the melting snow on a walking tour of the Old City. The snow on the Dome of Rock and the snow covered Old City was so beautiful it even compensated for the places like the Herodian Quarter and the Yohanan ben Zakkai Synagogues that were closed because the people with the keys were snow bound somewhere in the suburbs of Jerusalem either because the snow ploughs hadn’t yet cleared the snow or because they just wanted to stay glued to their TV’s.
My telephone alarm advised me about a lecture about Jewish Secularism., which I still regret not attending, being convinced by Ettie that it would be cancelled because of the snow,
According to Prof. Amos Funkenstein* one can be secular and an orthodox Jew at one and the same time. He maintains that this isn’t paradoxical, as many people think; one can be Jewish in the fullest sense of the word without being observant of all the “mitzvoth”.
The idea, held by many Jews, religious and secular, that someone with different or no religious beliefs originates in the writings* of a sect who called themselves “the Yahad” or the “children of light”. They considered only members of their group the vanguard of a new, glorious, godly regime that was soon to rule over the People of Israel. Jews outside their group were called the “children of darkness” and were members of the evil regime which was soon to pass away.
The Torah begins with God’s creation of the world instead of a law to the Jews because the world comes first not the Jewish People, no matter how important they are to God Jews are not permitted to look down their noses at non observant Jew or non Jews.
After the snow on Wednesday Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day; the sun shinning, a few clouds in the sky. It was a great day to take Tamar to the beach in Tel Aviv. She likes scooping up handfuls of sand and running close to the water’s edge, when the ripples of water come close to her she throws the sand in the water and runs away with a big scream and laughter. Afterwards we sat by a table at one of the many sidewalk restaurants they have along the beachfront and basked in the warm sun while sipping drinks and munching some fish hamburgers and steak. The big treat was ice-cream at Iceberg, a great ice cream shop in Ben Yehudah Str. I had strawberries in whipped cream with chocolate, Tamar had chocolate, Ettie had butter scotch and Emanuel had a banana frap.
It’s been a while since I’ve toured outside Jerusalem so on Sunday, I was quite happy to be fetching a tourist from Masuot Itzhak, a Moshav, near Ashkelon. I took him , his son and granddaughter to Massada and the Dead Sea.
This involved a journey from the extreme West of Israel, at Ashkelon on the Mediteranean to the extreme East at Massada on the Dead Sea and it took us a little over an hour.
It’s a fascinating journey because one traverses a cross section of Israel’s geographic areas the sea coast, the Shefela (lowlands), the Negeve Desert, the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea area and one can even see the mountains of Moab in Jordan on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.
This route was famous in biblical times because it formed the southern boundary of Judah. South of this line is considered desert, north of it is the settled land. The ruins of the ancient Canaanite city of Arad which protected the entrance into the Promised Land from intrusions of desert nomads and ruins of three Roman fortresses can still be clearly seen from the main road.
The road to Hebron, the heart of Canaan in biblical times, branches off to the Left, near Arad. This is even the same route taken by the 12 spies sent by Moses from the desert to spy out the Promised Land.
Wishing you a great no news day
Yours truly.
Leon.
* Amos Funkenstein The Emancipation of Man from the slavery which he brought on himself in The Culture of Secular Judaism 2006/87
