Golda Meir

Naomi Shemer

Ruth Dayan

Final Thoughts

 

 

 

Impacts of Social Media on Spirituality

Staying Connected with Your Spiritual Side

Final Thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the majestic Mount Hermon in the north to the sparkly waters of the Sea of Galilee, Israel is a land of breathtaking beauty and natural wonders. With its diverse landscape, unique flora and fauna, and rich cultural heritage, it is no wonder many travelers are drawn to this beautiful country. Whether you're looking for an adventure or simply seeking some peace and quiet away from home, Israel will not disappoint. Let us go on an adventure to discover some of this holy land's most incredible natural wonders.

The stunning Sea of Galilee is an excellent spot for relaxation and exploration. Its crystal clear waters and vibrant wildlife make it the perfect destination to take in some breathtaking views or enjoy a little serenity while participating in fun activities such as swimming or boating. 

It's also believed to be where Jesus often walked on water, and performed many miracles. In fact, the Sea of Galilee is essential to Christianity, and it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether you're drawn by its spiritual significance or simply seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you won't be disappointed when you visit the Sea of Galilee! 

No trip to Israel would be complete without visiting one of its oldest cities—Jerusalem. This city is steeped in history and culture, with remnants from various ancient civilizations scattered around its streets. There is much to explore, from incredible monuments such as the Western Wall and Dome of the Rock to lively markets filled with unique antiquities. Be sure to take your time soaking in all Jerusalem has to offer to get a true sense of its ancient history and culture. 

If you're looking for a place to unwind and reflect, look no further than Mount Hermon. This majestic mountain is the highest peak in Israel, with an elevation of 2814 meters. It boasts breathtaking views from its summit and provides excellent skiing, snowboarding, camping and hiking opportunities. You will be surrounded by lush pine forests, with breathtaking views stretching over the surrounding valleys.

Whether you're looking to explore its trails or simply take in the stunning views from above, Mount Hermon is sure to provide an escape like no other! 

The Banias Waterfall is one of the most stunning natural wonders in Israel. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, the waterfall flows down from the Hermon stream and into the Jordan River, creating a beautiful and serene atmosphere. There are also numerous activities here, such as rafting, kayaking, and even swimming in its crystal-clear waters!

 

Not only is the Banias Waterfall a sight to behold, but it also holds significant spiritual significance. As one of the locations where Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, this waterfall has long been acknowledged as a place of faith and holiness. People from around the world come here to pay tribute to Jesus's baptism and to experience its enchanting beauty.

The Banias Waterfall is also a great spot for hikers, with several trails winding through the area. Along these trails are numerous points of interest, including an ancient synagogue and several caves that were once used as hideouts by members of the Bar Kochba Revolt. 

Israel is often referred to as the Holy Land for a good reason; it is full of wonders that will take your breath away! From majestic mountains and ancient cities to beautiful beaches and inspiring waterfalls, there is no shortage of unique places to explore. Whether you're looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or simply want to discover some of the spiritual significance of this land, Israel has something for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

The Dead Sea at a Glance

The Formation of the Dead Sea

What You Can Expect to See 

The Dead Sea in The Bible

Final Thoughts

  

 

Eytan Stibbe: The International Space Station Visitor

Avi Nesher: The Award-Winning Filmmaker

Michael Levitt: Nobel Prize Winner

Final Thoughts

 

The living history of the Bible is what makes the Holy Land so exciting. Having a chance to see, touch, and feel a real connection to the life of Christ and countless events and persons mentioned in the Bible is why Israel is so important to Christians around the world – both as a historical record and a spiritual wellspring. The Monastery of Saint John in the Wilderness is one of those places. Commemorating the childhood of John the Baptist, the monastery provides us with a direct connection to one of the most important figures in the Bible. 

Located  just north of Even Sapir, the site is located very close to Ein Kerem, St. John’s birthplace. The gospel of Luke describes John’s childhood, saying "The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel.” (Luke 1,80). Looking at the Monastery, you would be forgiven for doing a double take!

Indeed, the Monastery is not located in a desolate dune or craggy mountain range like you might imagine when you think of the word "desert.” Quite the contrary, the Monastery of Saint John in the Wilderness is surrounded by abundant lush green trees. Crystal springs dot the area as do other natural pools and groves. The local ecology enjoys  a rich variety of animal life drawn to the bounty of the springs and the protection afforded by these shaded groves. 

The difference between reality and what we imagine here can be chalked up to a translation difference. The biblical name for uncultivated land is "midbar.” This is the word that appears in Luke when discussing John’s childhood. And while this can and often does refer to literal desert, there is some nuance to the phrase. It can just as easily mean "pastureland” which can imply an empty area, or can merely refer to an area undeveloped by human civilization. 

However, as surprising as this location might seem if you’ve been picturing John the Baptist contemplating in the sand, it makes a lot of sense. This is a location where John would have been able to live off the land and sustain himself while still possessing the isolation and quiet solitude he required. It’s a wonderful image to think of a young John resting himself against a tree, enjoying the cool breeze coming off a shaded pond, basking in the natural glory God has provided for his children.

The Monastery of Saint John in the Wilderness was built by crusaders over top of a Byzantine ruin which in itself was built over a cave where John is believed to have resided. As is common when you learn about churches and temples in Israel, there are layers of history to shift through and discover. Since then, the Church has fallen into disrepair and been rebuilt several times, the entire history of which has been lost to time. 

The monastery contains several points of interest, most prominently are two caves. These caves have important biblical significance with the first containing a spring that was and still is used for baptisms. The second cave traces directly back to John’s childhood and is said to have been the hiding place where his parents hid him during Herod’s attempt to kill the infant Christ by condemning all male infants. To commemorate this piece of history, a fresco has been added depicting this terrifying scramble to safety.

The monastery features some impressive architectural flourishes including a domed roof and several gateways and walls. It feels every bit as ancient as it is with materials and touches from different centuries of renovations coming together to create a unique and textured feel. The monastery also features some truly beautiful springs and water features – perfect for contemplation and thanksgiving.

Complacency kills. It kills in the work environment when people ignore safety regulations to move a little faster.  It kills on the road when people get a little too confident in their driving and don’t keep their eyes open. And it kills spiritually. Complacency can slow your walk with Christ and obscure your vision – to the point where you might not recognize God when He moves in your life.

This happens when we get a little too comfortable in our Christian lives. When the sacred act of prayer and communion with our Lord becomes routine. When you stop thinking about what you’re praying for and instead run through a quick and thoughtless script. This is the mumbled prayer before dinner that the rest of the table can barely hear. The quick nod towards Christ before heading off to bed. It happens when our expectations take control – when we focus on what we want to see from God so much that we forget to look for what else He may be showing us.

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Even back in the days of Elijah people were missing the forest for the trees when looking for God. 1 Kings 11 shows us how difficult it can be, even for the truly devoted, when we let our expectations cloud our vision.

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Elijah was looking for the fantastic. He was looking for a five-alarm act of God delivered with the spectacle of a powerful windstorm, in the world-shaking roar of an earthquake, or in the raging flames of a spiritual wildfire. But none of those things came. When the voice of God finally reached Elijah’s ear, it was only a whisper.

Elijah had been through a lot at that point. His life was being threatened and he fled to the woods alone in desperation. He thought his life was over and begged the Lord for a merciful death. He needed direction, he needed to recognize what God wanted from him. Just before his flight into the woods, he witnessed a miracle where God proved himself on Mount Carmel and it colored his expectations. He was expecting another miracle, another blazing pyre or sign from above. He wasn’t ready to hear God even though He was already with him.

Be wary of complacency. Be wary of applying your expectations on God. Instead, try to recognize that God is always with us. That His voice is often only a whisper, his directions often just a small tap on the shoulder, not a shove. When we embrace life knowing that God is always with us, always providing direction and learn to look and listen for Him, our spiritual lives flourish and God moves in ways no one can expect.

You don’t need to be a baseball fan to know who Sandy Koufax is. Right up there with Babe Ruth, Michael Jordon, or Tom Brady, his accomplishments were so great and so impactful that his name transcends the sport he played, becoming an American icon. It’s fitting then that it’s not just Koufax’s performance on the mound that makes him special. 

Born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents, Koufax represents an archetypical American experience, the melting pot in action. His childhood days were split between rowdy play at school with time on backlot diamonds and basketball courts, and the synagogue and Jewish Community Center. His parents were proud Jews and raised him to value his heritage. It was an identity he would cherish and carry with him his entire life, even when it was difficult. 

Koufax established himself as a great athlete from an early age, but he didn’t always have his sights set exclusively on baseball. You can always spot a prodigy by how many sports they can be competitive in and a young Koufax was equally enthralled with basketball as he was of baseball. In fact, it was basketball that clinched him a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. It’s fun to speculate how different his legacy might have been if the Dodgers, who knew exactly how much potential the young man possessed, hadn’t wheeled out an irresistible offer to get him to sign in 1954. 

It was an unorthodox move for the clubhouse, the bonus Koufax signed was over the league’s threshold for non-players, meaning the Dodgers HAD to keep him on their major league roster for at least two years before they could even consider moving him to the minors (you know, where most young pitchers develop their game). The result was a trial by fire in the big show for the young star.

And what a trial it was. Just one year later in 1955 the Blue Crew found themselves in the World Series. Koufax didn’t play in the series, but he did help get them there posting respectable numbers throughout the season against some of the hottest bats in the league. All of this while balancing his continuing education, now at the University of Columbia. 

Appreciate the situation here, Koufax is not quite 20 years old, still very much a young man. He’s pitching for one of the most prestigious teams in the league without the benefit of developing his game in the minors in front of thousands. On top of this, he’s commuting between New York and Columbia for every game so he could keep up on his studies. What a tremendous workload on anyone, but in particular a 20 year old. And yet he thrived, both academically and athletically. 

These were the years where Koufax would develop his game. He always had a cannon for an arm, it was what led the Dodgers to sign him up in the first place, and it was enough to place him ahead of his college league peers. But what he lacked in those early Major League starts was control -  wild pitches and a high rate of bean balls were preventing him from being truly great. It took a partnership with another Jewish player, his catcher Norm Sherry, to become the legend he is celebrated as today. 

The key, it turned out, was to slightly ease up on the ball, to reign in his monstrous speed. Koufax transformed his arm from an artillery piece to a scalpel, developing a three-punch combo consisting of a still blazing (but accurate) fastball, a sneaky change-up, and a devastating curveball that seemed to defy physics. With just those three pitches, Koufax built an unassailable legacy.

Koufax was instrumental in securing the World Series for the Dodgers in 1959, but it was the 60s when he really started cooking. His 1961 series set a league record for batters struck out, with a jaw-dropping 269 sent back to the dugout. This tremendous success was immediately put in jeopardy in 1962 when a blood clot formed in his throwing arm that required surgery to fix and almost cost him his index finger, threatening to end his career. Sports writers at the time openly questioned whether or not it was possible for him to come back, to even approach the success of his 1961 campaign. 

Koufax made them eat their words. Not only did he return in form for 62, he was better.  He threw his first of four no-hitters that season. A feat he would repeat for the next three years culminating in a legendary "perfect game” in 1965 against the Cubs. 

 

To put this accomplishment into perspective, the vast majority of MLB pitchers never even come close to a no-hitter. Over the entire history of the league, there have been only 315 no-hitters pitched, and Koufax was responsible for four of them. As impressive as no-hitter is, the "perfect game” (where absolutely no opposing players reach a base on a walk, hit-by-pitch, or error) is a unicorn. Over the history of the MLB, with more than 218,400 games played, there have been exactly 23 perfect games recorded. Pitching one essentially guarantees entry into the Hall of Fame.

But in the same year, Koufax did something almost equally impressive. Something far more personal and demanding than a perfect game. He stayed true to himself.

 

Picture the scene, Koufax is coming off 4 straight years of pitching no-hitters including a perfect game, a feat nobody to this day has matched (outstripping Cy Young, the namesake of the most prestigious pitching award in the game). He outdid his 1961 record by leaps and bounds with an astounding 382 regular season batters struck out. He was undeniably the greatest pitcher in the league and the (at this time) L.A Dodgers single greatest weapon. Largely thanks to his Herculean efforts, the Dodgers are in the pennant race for the World Series.  

But there is just one catch. One of the games fell on Yom Kippur. With the eyes of the sports world on him, at a time when antisemitism was far more prevalent than today, Sandy Koufax refused to pitch on this holy day. 

Can you imagine the agony of such a decision? Can you imagine what it would be like to go to the head coach and say "not today” when the World Series itself was on the line? To risk the ire of not only Dodger fans across the country, but even his own teammates? All to stay true to himself and his faith. It was a decision not  many people would have the strength of character to make.

But in an ESPN documentary in 2000, Koufax was completely unbothered. "There was no hard decision for me, it was just a thing of respect.” He knew what was right, and that was that. Incredible.

It’s an action that is still spoken of with reverence by Jewish sports fans and players. In the years since, several players have followed in Koufax’s footsteps (Koufax himself looked to Hank Greenberg who stood out of an important 1934 game for the same reason). But Sandy Koufax stands out because of the spotlight that was on him, because of the stakes of the World Series. It was and remains unprecedented.  

It’s a legacy that is celebrated to this day. In 1990 Koufax was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, an honored addition. In Israel, Koufax had the distinction of being the final draft pick by the Modi'in Miracle’s in the inaugural 2007 Israel Baseball League season. Seventy-one years old at this point, Koufax was invited by manager Art Shamsky, saying "It's been 41 years between starts for him. If he's rested and ready to take the mound again, we want him on our team." An offer Koufax declined, but still an immeasurable sign of the deep respect Jewish players and sports fans still hold for him.

For as accomplished as he was, for as important as baseball was to him, Koufax never lost sight of what was truly important – his personal faith and self-respect. Perfect games are rare, nearly a miracle when they happen. But that clarity of purpose, that deep wellspring of respect and perspective – that is something even more rare and precious. 

 

When I was a child, church attendance was a given. My family had a highly set routine – get up at the same time, put on one of the same two "church” outfits, be in the parking lot just before Sunday school. It’s easy to go to church regularly when you are a child and have no real choice in the matter. When you get a bit older it gets tougher. And when both social pressures and technology provide you with so many tempting alternatives, mustering up the energy to get up on a Sunday morning, wash your face, make yourself presentable, and show up in person can seem like an even taller order.

The cases AGAINST physically going to church are numerous and persuasive. I think the strongest of them (and the one I bought into for a few years into my adulthood when compulsory church attendance was no longer so compulsory) is the idea that the real work lies outside of the church, not in it. When you look out at the staggering amount of people in need of food, shelter, love, and understanding it can feel hypocritical to get in your pressed shirt or modest but nice dress and spend an hour or so nodding along to a familiar sermon. There is so much work to be done and so much more Christians can be doing that it seems frivolous to "preach to the choir” as it were.

And then there are all the shiny new ways to connect with the church community. Considering the convenience of streamed services and social media prayer circles, actually showing up to the same building feels a little old fashioned. Why endure the stress of getting the kids up and ready to go for a 9:00 AM Sunday school class when you could let them tune in while eating their breakfast?

But for as persuasive as those options can be, can they really replace the experience of going to church? And I want to be careful here, because I’m not saying those alternatives are bad. As Christians we absolutely have a duty to put our values into action out in the real world. If your Christianity begins at 9:00AM on Sunday and ends when you walk out the door of the church, then you need to do some reflection. And streamed services and alternative long-distance forms of communion and sharing are absolutely valid, especially for our brothers and sisters with mobility disabilities, compromised immune systems, or other impediments. 

But for those of us blessed with the ability to attend, the church is about more than saying hi to the regulars who sit in your pew, and there is a lot of value in gathering under God’s roof even in this modern age.

The church offers us something we can’t get anywhere else – shared love in Christ. It’s a place to go to spend energy, but a place to be revitalized. When the stresses of the world are bearing down on us, when everyday seems to bring some new catastrophic headline or calamity, when you start to wonder what God’s plan could possibly be, it’s the church that will lift you back up by reminding you that this is a shared experience. We all feel hopeless now and then and it can sometimes be hard to see the big picture, but there is one and it is always moving in God’s direction.

"Preaching to the choir” might sound like a waste of time, but you need to remember that the choir is made up of real, feeling, hurting people. People who need spiritual nourishment, the kind you can only get from communion with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to feel that bond, that love. Without it, we face a lonely and daunting world.

And just as we as Christians have a real duty to put our values to action in the street, we also have a duty to put them into practice in the church. The church is an institution made and maintained by countless individuals. Every Sunday school lesson you nodded off to when you were young? It was written by a church member who cared enough to give their time and energy each week to plan a lesson and the strength and determination to get it across to a room of bored and fidgeting 10 year old’s. Every bulletin board you see with prayer group dates, help-phones to call, food basket services, and such is a testament to the care your brothers and sisters have for you and each other.  Every cup of free coffee you drink, every stale grocery store doughnut you eat, was brought in by someone who wanted to make sure you were comfortable and alert and ready to receive the message and fellowship of Christ. That is love. Real love. 

No church is perfect like no Christian is perfect. There are going to be times when we let each other down, when we feel like we’re either not doing enough, or doing too much of the wrong thing. But that isn’t a reason to give up on it. It’s a reason to stay and put in the work to do better. We are all the beneficiaries of a million tiny acts of kindness and care performed by people who never had to lift a finger if they didn’t want to and who likely never received any kind of compensation or even praise for their efforts. It’s our duty to honor those acts by keeping their spirit alive, by contributing a few of our own. And that is why the church can and will never be replaced. 

The kibbutz was an influential cultural icon of Israel’s development, and the heart of the kibbutz was the dining hall. The very bedrock of the nation was formed in these large communal halls where kibbutz workers would fortify themselves for the day with a well-rounded breakfast, socialize over a shared brunch or lunch and end their days with dinner and conversation along with their families and peers in these large, boisterous halls. While the kibbutz of today looks a lot different from the farms of the early Israeli settlers, the impact of kibbutz food can still be felt today.

In popular Israeli culture, kibbutz food is a little bit of a punching bag.  People like to make jokes about how bad the food could be, and those who are old enough to have first-hand experience of the early kibbutz often enjoy swapping horror stories of their most loathed meals. And there is some truth to that. After all, if you need to quickly make food for over 100 people with limited resources, you’re likely to have the occasional "it will have to do” dish.

But this is largely an exaggeration of the actual history. The kibbutz dining hall has consistently been a place of experimentation and cultural growth that has developed right alongside Israel as a nation. As diaspora chefs returned to Israel to join the kibbutz experience, they brought with them recipes and techniques from around the world that were reflected in those kitchens. And as the state of Israel developed and changed over the decades, changing what types and quantities of food were both available locally and for import, the style and kind of food served in the average kibbutz changed along with them. 

Despite the reputation, the kibbutz was THE place to go for quality ingredients and food in the 1950’s. As austerity measures gripped the rapidly expanding state, forcing rationing and limitations on many common ingredients like butter, meat, and some types of vegetables, Israelis faced a dilemma. They could either go without, turn to the black market to stock their pantry (and all the risks and costs associated with that), or go to their local kibbutz which produced those rationed items and often had an abundance to spare.

As a communal experience that was served by trolleys and trays wheeled from table to table, choice was not a priority for the kibbutz of the 40s and 50s. This has been described as the "instead” period of kibbutz dining. If you didn’t like the main dish for the meal, no problem, you could have whatever else was made instead. This was generally a less elaborate (and often less appealing) alternative. And if you didn’t like either option, well, tough luck. This is likely where a lot of the less pleasant memories of kibbutz food comes from and it’s not hard to imagine why. 

This improved over the 60s and 70s however as most kibbutz transitioned from serving members table to table and instead opted for a self-serve system similar to a cafeteria. Take your plate up to the buffet and make your selection based on what was available. This allowed for more choice in the average kibbutz meal plan while still keeping the logistics simple enough to provide for a large group quickly.

The 90s marked a period of privatization for many kibbutz.  Meals went from being freely provided to paid services. Naturally this led to increased selection and quality, after all if you’re paying for a meal it better be what you want. But this has led to the kibbutz dining hall experience losing some of its identity.

And it’s hard to describe how valuable that identity is to Israel. The kibbutz was where entire generations of Israeli’s grew up. It was the system that helped to develop the nation and form it’s national character. Many kibbutz chefs became local legends to those who ate their food, for example Yankale’s Yeast Cookies were so beloved and requested in Kibbutz Na’an that the recipe was engraved on the chef’s tombstone when he passed!

Today so called "kibbutz foods" have become a staple in Israeli homes. Late evening snacks and hearty kibbutz style breakfasts are popular across the country, focusing on salads, olives, eggs, yogurt  and cheese.  Meat is never included, but various types of fish are, and the preparations vary depending on where you are in the country. Different pickled foods are also directly inspired from kibbutz kitchens and enjoyed as a snack. And of course, no kibbutz breakfast would be complete without a healthy helping of bread products, juice and a steaming cup of coffee.

The kibbutz breakfast is so popular it’s become a mainstay of Israeli hotels. Included with your stay at most hotels is a hearty kibbutz approved breakfast offering. It’s become so ingrained in the culture that any attempts to swap to (less expensive) continental breakfast offerings in the early 80s were met with widespread derision and ended in failure. The kibbutz breakfast has remained a mainstay since.

The heyday of the kibbutz has long since passed, and of the roughly 270 kibbutz remaining in Israel, only a select few still offer the classic cooperative dining experience. Despite this though, the legacy and impact of this food and style of life can still be felt in Israel today, from home breakfast tables to restaurants. A connection to Israeli heritage that is still alive today.