Month: March 2021

Just like in the famous Hebrew song by Rami Kleinstein, Israel is a tiny country with many wonders.
Snowy Mount Hermon, evergreen Galilee forests, rocky Judean desert, and many flowing streams – nature has never seen this amount of diversity crammed in a small country that is no bigger than New Jersey.
Each area offers unique hiking opportunities with colorful vistas and interesting natural phenomena, and there is enough for everyone.
When searching for hiking routes, you should definitely look into the famous “Israel trail”, in Hebrew – “Shvil Israel.”
1050 km (652 miles) long, it is a cross-country trail that stretches from the foot of Mount Hermon in the north to the shores of the Red Sea in the south, and covers the country’s entire geographical area.
It can take a few weeks to complete the trail, however, if you don’t have the time, you can do a smaller section of it in your preferred area.
It is quite easy to explore Israel even for first-time hikers, since most of the trails are marked.
Walking is one of the best ways to explore, and while we do not expect you to walk across the entire country, we strongly recommend including nature in your trip to Israel. We hope that this article will help you prepare for hiking in Israel. Following is a list of our most recommended Israeli trails, arranged from north to south.

1. Banias Reserve’s Suspended Trail
Located in the vast Hermon Stream Nature Reserve, it is one of the prettiest trails in Israel. It goes through a lush and evergreen landscape, which includes a visit to an ancient Roman city, a walk along the riverbank of one of the Jordan River sources, and a suspended bridge that stretches over a series of beautiful waterfalls.
Banias has the most powerful waterfall in Israel, which flows throughout the year.
This hiking trail is family-friendly and can be done all year round.

2. Mount Meron Trail
Mount Meron is the highest mountain in the Galilee (1208 meters). Its summit offers a beautiful circular trail that is about 2 km long. This route is family-friendly and is rich with breathtaking views of the Galilee, Golan Heights, Mount Hermon, and even Southern Lebanon. The mountain was declared a nature reserve way back during the British Mandate period. Due to a high amount of precipitation, beautiful flowers can be observed blooming in the spring and autumn.

3. Gilabon
One of the most popular hiking experiences in the Golan Heights, you can travel the Nahal Gilabon trail in two ways via a 3 km loop trail or 5 km trail with different starting and finishing points. Both trails are great, and include a visit to the remains of a Talmudic village, impressive waterfalls, water hikes, and the beautiful landscape of the Galilee and Hula Valley.
This hike is family-friendly and is considered of moderate difficulty level.

4. Nahal Kziv and the Montfort Fortress
Nahal Kziv is one of the most beautiful bio-reserves in Israel. The entire area consists of the Kziv stream that stretches over 140 km (86 miles) from the foot of Mount Meron to the Mediterranean coast, and cuts through the Upper Galilee mountains, creating a dramatic landscape filled with sharp cliffs and lush Mediterranean scrubland.
The bio reserve offers many hiking options with a variety of loop and point-to-point trails with difficulty levels ranging from moderate to advanced.
The stream flows all year round thanks to the high precipitation on Mount Meron, and the various springs along its route. All trails include access to water.
We highly recommend including a visit to the beautiful Montfort Fortress located in the heart of the reserve.

5. Sataf
Located in the heart of Jerusalem Mountains, Sataf nature reserve is a great example of biblical agriculture.
The scenery is dominated by mountains covered with terraces, which are fed by several springs flowing to this day.
Ancient communities used the terraces as a unique irrigation technique that allowed better cultivation of the mountain fields.
The crops that once covered the terraces were replaced by a lush woodland with seasonal flower blossoms.
This area offers many hiking options, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty level. All trails are family-friendly and we highly recommend visiting one of the springs.

6. Wadi Qelt
This flourishing oasis, called Wadi Qelt in Arabic and Nahal Prat in Hebrew, is located in the Judean Desert. Three large springs feed the Qelt stream, which cuts through the landscape creating a powerful canyon that stretches from the mountains of Jerusalem to the Dead Sea.
The stream is identified with the Cherith brook mentioned in 1 Kings 17, where Prophet Elijah was fed by ravens and drank from the water source.
Around the fourth century, a monastery was built on the side of the cliffs. This is the first monastery created in the Judean Desert, and it was named after a Christian hermit – Saint Chariton.
The most popular hiking option is a loop trail, which includes the springs and an opportunity to go up to the Monastery.
Please note that during certain days of the week, the monastery allows entrance to male visitors only.

7. Ein Gedi
Located in the Judean desert close to the shores of the Dead Sea, this is the most popular site amongst trackers.
Four large springs emerge from the cliffs, creating a series of waterfalls and a beautiful ecosystem with diverse flora and fauna.
The most impressive waterfall comes from a spring, named after King David. According to the Bible, King David hid from King Saul in one of the caves in the reserve.
Make sure to pay attention to the permanent residents of Ein Gedi – the ibexes and hyraxes, which can be observed regularly, nibbling on the leaves of the acacia trees or just resting in the crevices of the cliffs.
Ein Gedi offers many hiking options. Whether you choose the short or long trail, make sure to grab a pair of good hiking shoes and a bathing suit to enjoy the cool spring water pools.

8. Ein Avdat
Another beautiful oasis, this time in the heart of the Negev Desert.
Nestled deep in the Tzin Canyon, Ein Avdat is a nature reserve with 3 springs that feed a lush ecosystem.
The landscape is truly unique, with the Tzin cliffs towering above the springs, creating a narrow gorge with mesmerizing pools.
Various animals are attracted to the oasis, the most famous of which is the griffon vulture that dominates the skies of Ein Avdat.
The site was named after the ancient city of Avdat, which was built above the reserve by the Nabateans.
Another point of interest in the area is David Ben-Gurion’s tomb overlooking the Tzin Canyon.

9. Nahal Nekarot
The list would not be complete without the “Makhteshim” (craters) of the Negev Desert.
The Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon) presents multiple hiking options, one of which is Nahal Nekarot – a seasonal watercourse that drains the Makhtesh and is rich with interesting geological phenomena.
The loop trail is of moderate difficulty, takes around two hours to complete, and is highly recommend during winter, after the flash floods.
Don’t miss the remains of a Nabataean inn that used to accommodate incense-carrying convoys around 2000 years ago.

10. Red Canyon
Situated in Eilat Mountains, the Red Canyon was formed by a seasonal stream that cuts through the red sandstone, creating a meandering trail in the deep gorge.
The narrow passage leaves its visitors speechless and captivated with the beautiful shades of red, which indicate different concentrations of iron oxide.
Some parts of the trail have rungs and ladders and therefore, it requires medium to advanced hiking skills.

Deciding to travel to Israel is the first step towards a fabulous holiday.
The next step is to plan it properly.
Like every other destination, learning the background and important information is crucial for a smooth vacation, and there are many details about Israel that you should consider.
Israel is an exciting country on the Mediterranean coast, with a colorful heritage and welcoming people.
It is the only Jewish state in the predominantly Arab Middle East, and it enjoys a comfortable weather all year round.

The following article will provide you with essential information for your trip to Israel.
We hope you will find it helpful in your preparation for your once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Power requirements

Israeli operates on 230 V voltage and 50 Hz frequency, which is common in most European countries.
If you come from the US or any other country that supports 100 V, you should get a 110/230 voltage converter.

Weather 

The proximity to the Mediterranean coast and the subtropical ridge provide Israel with an overall comfortable climate throughout the year.
There are four seasons in Israel:Winter starts in December and lasts until late February.
It is usually accompanied by moderate rain and occasional hail.
It rarely snows in Israel, and when it does, it usually accumulates at altitudes above 900 meters.
During summer, which is from June to August, it can get hot and humid as the temperature rises to 32-42 °C (90-106 °F). Autumn – from September to November, and spring – from March to May, are typical transitional seasons with pleasant breezes and moderate temperatures.
Keep in mind that our small country is divided into several geographical areas, each with a slightly different sub-climate:
The mountainous areas of Galilee, Golan Heights and Jerusalem are usually cooler.
The Jordan and Jezreel Valleys and the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts are hotter and have higher humidity.
The Dead Sea and Negev Desert areas are warm and arid.

Currency

Israeli currency is called “shekel.” It is abbreviated in two way: NIS (New Israeli Shekel) or ILS (Israeli Shekel).
There are coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 shekels.
Coins of less than one shekel are called “agorot” – a 50 agorot coin is worth 0.5 shekel, and 10 agorot –0.1 shekel.
Banknotes used in Israel are 20, 50, 100, 200.
1 USD is around 3.5 ILS, and 1 EURO – around 4.2 shekels.
The above rates are approximate and depend on the daily exchange rate.
Tip: when shopping in tourist areas, we recommend using dollars or euros instead of shekels.
Make sure to check the currency of the marked prices before paying.
Most businesses do not use foreign money, because exchanging it is inconvenient.
When the change is smaller than 1 dollar, most places will give it in local currency.
The majority of businesses accept payment in cash and credit cards; traveler’s cheques are rarely accepted.
Money changers are found in many places; consider checking the daily rate before proceeding with the exchange.
The majority of ATMs have an English menu option.
Keep in mind that most ATMs will not provide foreign currency and you will have to withdraw shekels instead.

Kashrut 

Kashrut is a set of Jewish dietary rules.
The majority of restaurants and hotels follow these rules, but in some areas, there are more non-kosher restaurants than others.
Kosher places will serve food the following way – meat and dairy are not mixed or served simultaneously.
Restaurants will serve either meat or dairy-based dishes. Hotels will serve a dairy-based breakfast with no meat, and dinner will include meat but no dairy.
Pork and seafood, except most fish types, are prohibited according to Kosher rules.
Keep in mind that religious cities like Jerusalem mostly feature Kosher places, while predominantly secular cities like Tel-Aviv have more non-kosher restaurants.

Sabbath – formal resting day

Shabbat, meaning Saturday, is the seventh day of the week and the Jewish resting day.
According to Jewish customs, the day starts at the sunset of the previous day, which is Friday, and lasts until Saturday’s sunset.
Shabbat is observed throughout most of Israel, which means that public transportation, shops, restaurants and some sites do not work on Shabbat.
Most hotels prepare food before Shabbat.
Food and beverage stations, where omelet, pizza and coffee are made per demand, do not function on Saturdays.
In buildings, there’s usually at least one elevator that operates on Shabbat and stops automatically on every floor, allowing religious tenants to get to their floor without pushing the buttons.
Areas that are predominantly Christian or Muslim often work on Shabbat, because their resting day is Sunday and Friday.
Keep in mind that cities like Tel Aviv have a larger secular population and many businesses are open on Shabbat.

Public transport  

Israel’s transport system is well connected, and most locations are accessible via train, intercity buses, and taxis.
When arriving at Ben-Gurion Airport, there are several transport options:

• Taxis and rent-a-car services.
• Shuttles (“Monit Sherut” in Hebrew) are available at affordable prices.
  If you need to get to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Haifa (the three major cities), you can find these shuttles parking outside the arrivals hall.
• Most cities are reachable via express trains.
  It takes 30 minutes to get to Jerusalem and 20 minutes to Tel Aviv (not on Shabbat).

Jerusalem has a light rail that operates on weekdays from 05:30 AM to 12:00 AM.
It currently has only 1 route that connects the most distant neighborhoods to the city center.
However, there are plans to open two more routes within a couple of years.
In addition, Tel Aviv light rail is under construction and should be ready by the end of 2022.

Vegan food 

Israel’s prospering agriculture with innovative technologies that allow harvesting many crops, made our small country a vegan superpower.
With new vegan restaurants springing up like mushrooms, it is easy to find a delicious and nutritious plant-based meal.
Tel Aviv is regarded as the capital of veganism, with a wide range of eating options ranging from street food to upscale restaurants.
Last but not least, Israeli scientists recently invented plant-based meat, which competes with leading companies in the industry.

Tips  

Gratuities are very common in Israel. All those providing service in the food and beverage, tourism and hotel industries will appreciate a tip for their work. The acceptable amount ranges from 10% to 14%, usually given in the form of cash and sometimes via credit card.

Wi-Fi  

Nowadays, the absence of free and good quality WiFi is very unusual throughout Israeli hotels and restaurants, and it is also available on most public busses and trains.

Tap water 

Drinking tap water in restaurants and hotels is safe.
Nevertheless, in some areas, it’s better to drink bottled water.
We recommend buying a reusable bottle that you can fill in the hotel’s dining room for free.

VAT refund  

Most products in Israel have a 17% VAT.
Foreign visitors can get a VAT refund on receipts of over $100 at the airports and border-crossings.
Make sure to request a VAT form at the shop where you make the purchase.
To get a refund, you have to present the VAT form, receipt, passport, and products listed on the receipt.
Note that you cannot get a VAT refund on supermarket, pharmacy and restaurant purchases.

Security

Israel experienced many wars and terror attacks, and as a result, security is the country’s top priority.
Military service is mandatory for Israeli boys and girls; most hotels, malls, and transport hubs allow entrance only after a security check, and seeing police officers and soldiers on the streets is normal – all of these make Israel one of the safest countries in the world.

Modest clothes

With three predominant monotheistic faiths, a visit to Israel would be incomplete without a few religious sites.
Most shrines require adhering to strict rules of modesty:
Churches and synagogues require visitors to cover their shoulders and knees; however, women do not have to cover their heads and can wear pants.
Men are required to wear a head cover (kippah or yarmulke) upon entering synagogues.
When visiting mosques, female visitors have to cover their legs, arms and clavicle area.
Tight clothes are not allowed, and some mosques will ask women to cover from head to toe with a garment that they will provide.
Male visitors are required to wear long pants and cover their shoulders.

Official languages

Israeli population consists of 75% Jewish, 20% Arabs and 5% ethnic minorities.
The country’s official languages are Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Most Jewish families migrated to Israel within the last 3 to 4 generations, hence, may locals can speak another language, for example Russian, French or Spanish.
Nevertheless, do not expect the different communities to be fluent in all three official languages.
Most Jews do not speak Arabic, and in some cases, you might even find it hard to communicate in English.

Airports and border-crossings

As of 2019, there are five airports in Israel – two for international flights and three for domestic.
When arriving in Israel, most people will land in Ben-Gurion Airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Israel has border crossings to Egypt and Jordan:
One crossing to Egypt, called Menachem Begin Crossing or Taba Border Crossing.
Three border crossings to Jordan:
the Jordan River Crossing (Sheikh Hussein Bridge), Allenby Bridge” (King Hussein Bridge), and Yitzhak Rabin Terminal (Wadi Araba Crossing).
Finally, if you are planning to arrive in Israel by sea, there are two main ports in the cities of Haifa and Ashdod.

 

Healthcare and medical services

Every large city has a medical center that serves the entire district in which it is located.
Every Israeli, by law, is a member of a health maintenance organization, which means that many of the medical services and treatments are government-supervised.
Israel evolved into one of the leading countries offering medical treatments to foreigners, and in 2020, the International Healthcare Research Center ranked it at number 8.
We strongly recommend acquiring health insurance before traveling – it will save you a fortune, if you’ll need any medical assistance. 

Millions of tourists visit Israel every year. Some prefer traveling independently, while others would rather tour as part of a group.
Besides each group’s common denominator – for example, pilgrimage, a family celebrating a bar mitzvah or a group of friends spending time together in Tel Aviv – everyone wants to bring back home a souvenir that would remind them of their unique and meaningful trip to Israel.
Moreover, quite a few tourists like to buy gifts for their friends and family, and shopping is an integral part of their tourist experience.
In Israel, there are many markets, which feature a prominent combination of the Eastern and Western cultures – authentic markets with stalls and small, magical shops, alongside modern and boutique shopping centers.
We often notice the spark in the tourists’ eyes when shopping comes onto the agenda.
You know how it goes – women get excited and their spouses come to terms with their bitter fate and wait outside the store, and sometimes, it’s the other way around.
During the tours, we’re often asked what are the best and most original souvenirs to buy in Israel.
This article features some of the popular, yet original souvenirs that we think you’d love to bring back home with you.

Dead Sea Products – While products labeled as such are sold all over the world, and while cosmetics companies add certain ingredients to be able to state that their products contain Dead Sea minerals in order to attract customers, the source of these essential components is right here, in Israel.
Experiencing the freedom of floating in the Dead Sea and its healing power open up a new perspective on these products for many tourists.
It’s the best “spa” the nature can provide – your skin becomes smooth as on the day you were born.
The leading Israeli companies in this field are Ahava and Premier, with many branches across the country.
In addition, you can visit the factory store located at the Dead Sea and enjoy a variety of lucrative deals.

Judaica – Jewish ceremonial art and ritual objects can be purchased in many places in Israel.
Many of those who come to Israel want to bring back a piece of art to adorn their home, use on Shabbat or the holidays, and to remind them of the amazing experience of traveling Israel.
For example, a Menorah that would remind of the Hanukkah miracle, a kiddush cup for Shabbat and holidays, a charity box to teach our children about one of the most important values ​​in Judaism, a challah cover, jewelry with Jewish symbolic motifs such as the Star of David, chai, pomegranate menorah, Chai symbol, Shabbat candlestick holder, kippah, tallit and tefillin.
The most diverse variety of these items can be found in Jerusalem and Safed.

Jerusalem Cross – Consisting of a large cross surrounded by four smaller crosses, the Jerusalem Cross is without a doubt one of the most prominent religious symbols associated with this city.
The large cross symbolizes Jerusalem – the cradle of Christianity – and the four surrounding crosses symbolize the four quarters of the world to which Christianity was spread.
The cross was already used way back in the Byzantine Empire as a Christian seal, in the Crusader Period as a symbol of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, and nowadays, it is the symbol of the Franciscan Order that has a prominent presence in the Holy Land.
Many pilgrims who visit the Holy Land purchase the Jerusalem Cross as a piece of art or jewelry to commemorate their visit and their connection to the Holy City of Jerusalem as people of faith.

Items made of Olive Wood – The olive tree is prominently associated with the Holy Land from the biblical period, when the dove carrying an olive leaf signaled the end of the flood.
The olive tree, with its roots growing deep into the soil, is a strong tree with a very high survivability, and in Israel, it may come as a surprise, since our country’s rainfall average is quite low.
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit,” (Isiah 11:1).
This verse is validated in the Gospel, while Jesus is actually one of the shoots of the stump of Jesse, and similar to the roots of the olive tree penetrating deep into the soil, so is the genealogy of Jesus – deep and long-standing.
Bethlehem is the place that specializes in olive wood art and extensively features this special and impressive craft.
The olive wood industry is one of Bethlehem’s most important streams of income, and many tourists, as well as pastors and priests, purchase works of art made of olive wood for their churches.

Armenian Ceramics – A craft with a centuries-long history.
These uniquely beautiful ceramics are meticulously handcrafted by Armenian artisans, while tiles made by them adorn many buildings in Jerusalem, the most prominent of which are the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount and the Rockefeller Archaeological Museum situated near the Damascus Gate.
This unique craft is passed down from generation to generation within the families, and you can find a wide variety of workshops and studios in the Old City of Jerusalem, especially in the Armenian Quarter.

Antiquities – How much history there is in Israel! So many archeological sites have been discovered, while some remain unknown.
Israel features countless collections of antiques, and licensed dealers will be happy to present you with a wide assortment of items.
Among the most common an antiques in Israel are jars, vases, Roman glass items, oil candles, as well as coins from different periods.

Wine – Like the olive trees, grapevines are thriving here in Israel, and many local wineries produce an excellent selection of Israeli wines.
The variety and number of wineries in Israel is enormous, which has created a very healthy competition, in which the real winners are the consumers who benefit from the abundance of products available.
You can find excellent wineries in every region of Israel, even in the desert.
Some of them got international awards to boast about, which also helps attract tourist.
Almost every tourist visiting Israel would have at least one glass of local wine, while many guests take a tasting tour in one of the wineries and purchase Israeli wine to take back home.

Dates – This delight of a fruit that fills you with energy is one of the seven species with which the Land of Israel was blessed.
Dates that grown in the Jordan Valley and the Arava region are considered among the best in the world.
You can find a number of varieties, such as the yellow date (Barhi) or the moist date (Hayani), while Medjool is the most popular, as well as the largest and most delicious date variety.
Medjool dates have become the trademark of some of the settlements in the Jordan Valley, and are exported to many countries.
Another product that is considered a delicacy and has become an integral part of Israeli cuisine is “Silan” Date Honey – a sweet and delicious date syrup that is featured in many dishes.
You can buy “Silan”, as well as the dates, in supermarkets across Israel and in many stores in the Jordan Valley and at the Dead Sea.

Olive Oil – Like date, it is one of the seven species with which the Land of Israel was blessed.
Olive trees adorn many areas of Israel. The locally extracted olive oil is of a very high quality, and is an integral part of the Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine. Whether it is olive oil from the Galilee, the Golan Heights or the Samaria Mountains, each has its unique taste.

Israeli Snacks and Food Products – There are a few Israeli snacks we’d be happy to recommend.
First and foremost – “Bamba” peanut butter snack.
Not only that it is without a doubt the favorite snack of the locals – “Bamba” is one of the first words that Israeli babies learn to say.
Also, quite amazing is the fact that almost all Israelis develop immunity to peanut allergy.

Another popular Israeli snack is “Bissli”.
Unlike “Bamba”, it’s crunchy and comes in a variety of flavors.
Many Israelis like to combine these two snacks, and there’s even a version featuring both in the same bag.

We also like “Tortit” – A chocolate waffle bar filled with hazelnut cream.
This snack is also very popular among Israelis, and it has some other versions as well, like cake and cookies.

Black Coffee – Most likely, during your trip to Israel you will drink at least one cup of black coffee.
Many people also call it Arabic coffee or Turkish coffee, and you can find it in any Israeli supermarket.
However, if you’re looking for an authentic coffee experience, we’d recommend you to visit one the local markets and purchase coffee ground on the spot.

Israel is a very young country, just over 70 years old, but its rich history and vibrant heritage attract millions of visitors every year.

A great way to get acquainted with Israel is to visit one or two of its museums.

Whether you are interested in history, archeology, and arts, or looking for a fun, interactive experience, Israel offers over 200 museums and institutions that showcase a different aspect of the country’s life and legacy.

Every year, on May 18th, Israel celebrates the National Museum Day, which falls on the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer.
On that day, over 70 Israeli museums open their doors and offer visitors a variety of free tours and activities.

The following is a list of Israel’s greatest museums.

Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem

The main Holocaust memorial center in Israel commemorates the lives of the Jewish people, who perished during WWII, and of those few who survived.
The large complex spreads over a vast territory.
It includes various memorials and museums, each exposing a different aspect of Jewish lives before, during, and after the Holocaust.
Thousands of trees planted throughout the complex tell the story of the Righteous Among the Nations, each tree has a plaque with a name of a non-Jewish person who could not stand still and was willing to put his or her life in danger to save Jewish life.
The museum does not charge an entrance fee. If you want to enhance your experience, we highly recommend taking a guided tour.

Israel Museum in Jerusalem

The country’s leading museum that features exhibitions of Israel’s finest archeology and art collections.
A walk through the Archeology Department will take you on a journey through time, while gazing at some of Israel’s most important findings.
The art section showcases a wide range of works created by famous Israeli and international artists. 
Additional highlights are an enormous world Judaica treasury and an impressive sculpture garden.
Make sure to not miss the giant Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, and the world-renowned Dead Sea Scrolls, which are the oldest Biblical manuscripts in the world.

Palmach Museum, Tel Aviv

The Palmach Museum tells the story of the young men and women who dedicated their lives to defending the Jewish community in the Land of Israel prior to 1948.
The Palmach organization was eventually incorporated into the Israel Defense Forces and played a major role in the army’s development.
The museum is composed of several rooms, each room displays another part of Palmach history through a series of multimedia presentations.
Walking through the rooms, you will be exposed to the fascinating life of the warriors, from recruitment and daily life to the battles and the difficult choices they had to make.

Diaspora Museum

The Diaspora Museum, also known as the Museum of the Jewish People in Beit Hatfutsot, focuses on the culture and legacy of Jewish communities from around the world.
The museum acts as a bridge, connecting visitors to the Jewish world, reinforcing Jewish identity and providing a sense of unity among Jewish people regardless of their origins. 
Among the many interesting displays, you should not miss the Synagogues and Jewish Humor exhibitions.

Ayalon Institute

The Ayalon Institute is composed of what was once an underground ammunition factory disguised as laundry service in a kibbutz.
The factory was run by 45 members of the “Haganah” in the years prior to the establishment of the State of Israel.
In 1948, when Israel was established, the factory ceased its operations and the entire area was reopened in 1987 as a museum and heritage site.
Today, it is a fascinating museum that tells the stories of 45 resistance warriors in their effort to defend the Jewish community before 1948.

Friends of Zion Museum, Jerusalem

Situated in downtown Jerusalem, the Friends of Zion Museum was created by one of Israel’s greatest allies – Pastor Mike Evans. His goal was to immortalize the help and love of non-Jews to the Jewish nation.
The museum is composed of 7 galleries and incorporates 3D technology which presents stories of non-Jews throughout history, and highlights their significant role in fulfilling the Zionist dream.

Rockefeller Archaeological Museum

Located in East Jerusalem opposite the Old City walls, it is a leading museum in its field.
Built in 1938, it was the first home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Jerusalem’s main museum until the Israel Museum was established in 1965.
The museum displays impressive artifacts from the prehistoric era to the 19th century. Entrance is free of charge.

Ammunition Hill, Jerusalem

The Ammunition Hill was an important Jordanian outpost in Jerusalem, where one of the fiercest battles of the Six-Day War took place. 
The position was located next to the Israeli-Jordanian border, on a higher level dominating the Old City and the adjacent Jewish and Arab neighborhoods.
Israel succeeded in conquering the outpost at the cost of 36 fallen soldiers.
Today, the Ammunition Hill is a memorial that tells the story of the acts of courage and determination in that difficult battle. The bunkers and trenches are still visible today.

Independence Hall

May 14, 1948, Friday, 04:00 pm, a few hours before the end of the British Mandate of Palestine, David Ben Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel in this house.
Originally the house of the first mayor of Tel Aviv Meir Dizengoff, nowadays, the Independence Hall is a museum and national heritage site that connects visitors to the events that brought to the declaration of Israel’s independence.

The Children Museum, Holon

The Children Museum is a cultural and educational institution that offers a hands-on experience for children of all ages, as well as for adults.
It opened in 2001 and has since welcomed over one million visitors.
The museum provides 5 interactive trails, where children actively participate in various fantasy adventures, and 2 immersive exhibits that invite visitors to explore the world of people with hearing and speech impairments.

Armored Corps Museum in Latrun

The Armored Corps museum, in Hebrew – “Yad LaShiryon”, is a memorial site and a museum dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Armored Corps.
Before 1948, the main building used to be a British police station that dominated the main road from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.
After the British left, a series of difficult battles developed between Israel and Jordan, both wanting to have a permanent hold over this position, however it was ultimately conquered by Israel.
Nowadays, the old police station building is an Armored Corps history museum and education center. 
Over 160 tanks and armored vehicles are displayed around the building, most of them participated in Israel’s war with the Arab neighboring countries, while some of them were brought from different countries around the world.
This is the most diverse tank and armored vehicle collection in the world.

Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv

Located in Tel Aviv University, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History is Israel’s largest center for research and documentation of biodiversity, agriculture and nature conservation.
The museum is home to over 5 million specimens collected by scientists from Tel Aviv University and other institutions.
It welcomes everybody to enjoy its fascinating exhibitions of Israel’s flora and fauna, as well as human interaction with the environment throughout history.

 

Additional museums to consider: Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv, Bible Land Museum in Jerusalem, Atlit Detainee Camp, Ilana Goor Museum in Old Jaffa, Israeli Air Force Museum, and many more.

Israel – a crossroad between 3 continents – is situated on one of the busiest bird migration routes in the world.
Twice a year, over 500 million birds fly across the Israeli skies on their journey from distant winter habitat to their summer home and back.
Blessed with a comfortable Mediterranean climate and a wide range of geographical zones, Israel has a bit of everything – high mountains with snowy peaks, green and lush nature reserves, humid valleys, and arid deserts.
This diversity welcomes over 400 species every year that have a wide choice of feeding ground, and can fulfill your deepest desires of seeing some of the most colorful birds in the world. 

Among the many birds found in Israel, one can observe the white-spectacled bulbul, which loves the Mediterranean climate and migrates from the region of Turkey to the Arabian Peninsula; the Eurasian Hoopoe – Israel’s national bird, called after the sound it makes – “oop oop oop”; and the Palestine sunbird – the national bird of Palestine: it feeds on flower nectar, and its male is easily recognized by its metallic blue and turquoise colors.

Autumn and spring are the main seasons for bird migration.
Autumn migration is busier. It starts at the end of June and continues until January, with a peak in October-November.
Spring migration starts at the end of February and continues until June. It means that bird-watching is possible the entire year. The last birds flying north at the end of spring can be seen at the same time as the first birds of autumn fly south.

The migrating birds can be divided into three main groups.

1. Birds that pass through Israel, like storks and cranes.
   They leave Asia and Europe towards the end of summer, stop for a break in Israel around autumn and continue south to Africa.
   They can be seen again during the spring, flying back to their original habitats.
2. Winter birds that arrive from Europe and Asia and spend their winters in Israel, for example, the famous wagtail, whose arrival symbolizes the beginning of autumn.
3. Summer birds that arrive from Africa and spend their summers in Israel. For example, the bee-eater.

Where is the ideal place to see all of those beautiful birds?
There are 9 bird-watching centers in Israel and many more are under construction.
As mentioned before, the country is blessed with a wide range of climates and geographical areas. Each area offers a different experience and specific birds that can be seen only there.

For example, the flamingos can be seen mostly along the Mediterranean and Red Sea shores, because they prefer the humidity and saltiness of the coast.
We brought you the 5 Top places for bird lovers in Israel:

1 . Hula Valley Bird Watching Center

A world-renowned bird-watching center, wedged between the Golan Heights, Galilee, and Mount Hermon, the Hula Valley story began in the 1950s when it was decided to drain its large body of water for agricultural purposes. 
This move raised an uproar against the farmers, and soon the government allowed to restore a small portion of the lake, and proclaimed the area around it a nature reserve.
Today, the park is an important habitat for waterfowl, birds of prey, and songbirds, and it hosts an annual festival around the autumn migration season.
As for the farmers, they eventually understood the importance of cooperating with the ecologists. They provide the park with over 2 tons of maize daily during winter to feed the cranes that otherwise will graze on their crops.
Additional fascinating visitors of the park are the black storks, spoonbills with their interesting looking beak, black francolins, and many more.

2 . International Bird Watching and Research Center, Eilat (IBRCE)

The Southernmost city in Israel is located in what was once a saltmarsh on the shores of the Red Sea. 
For thousands of years, it was the birds’ key “refueling spot” before their journey towards the vast Sahara Desert. However, in recent decades, the habitat was severely diminished due to the industrial growth of the port city.
Today, the Eilat observatory puts efforts in keeping necessary conditions to maintain this natural habitat and promotes its importance in the global ecosystem. 
Among the 480 bird species that were recorded passing through Israel are the Nubian nightjar that comes from Africa, Spanish sparrow, and flamingo.
The flamingo arrives from Turkey and Iran and enjoys the salt pools north of Eilat.
The best time to visit the park is during the Eilat Birds Festival held in March.

3 . Jerusalem Bird Observatory (JBO)

The Jerusalem Bird Observatory is situated adjacent to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and the Supreme Court. It is an urban wildlife site that spreads over an area of one hectare, with a tiny pond that attracts magnificent birds throughout the year.
The observatory has a bird ringing station that is open throughout the day and helps to identify and study the birds and their migration routes.

4 . Ramat HaNegev Birding Center

With many majestic birds of prey soaring over the magnificent Zin Valley, Ramat HaNegev Birding Center offers a unique bird-watching spectacle in the heart of the Negev Desert.The ideal time to visit is during March and April, when the migratory birds fly back from Africa to Europe.

5 . Jordan Valley Bird Watching Center

Located in one of the hottest and most humid areas in the country, the Center is situated perfectly on the main bird flyways between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The climate and abundance of springs set the perfect background for thriving agriculture, which attracts local and migratory birds to feed here throughout the year.

In recent years, culinary tours have become an essential experience of every trip abroad.
Strolling through the markets and occasionally getting a bite in one of the local restaurants is one of the best introductions to foreign countries – you can learn a lot about people through their food.
When it comes to Israel, It is situated on a culinary crossroads, and its cuisine is a confluence of cultures, languages, and traditions.

The story begins in 70 AD, after the fall of Jerusalem, when most of the Jewish population that lived in the Land of Israel was exiled and dispersed across Europe, Asia, and Africa. 
The connection between the Jewish brothers and sisters was severed, and for 2000 years, each community evolved independently.

During the 20th century, the gates of the Holy Land started to open again, welcoming thousands of Jews back to their homeland.
By this time, each community spoke a different language and developed its own set of customs and traditions.
All of those differences were poured into a melting pot and created the “new Israeli” – a phenomenon that kept on developing with the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.

From the culinary perspective, each community contributed recipes from their grandmothers’ cookbooks – North Africans brought couscous and shakshuka, Europeans brought gefilte fish, cholent, kugel, and chicken schnitzel, Iraqi Jews brought kubbeh, Yemenite Jews brought malawach and jachnun,  Russians brought their famous borscht, Turks brought the bourekas and local Jews that stayed here, have enjoyed hummus and falafel.

With 800,000 that arrived during 1948, Israel’s population grew rapidly in the following years.
This growth was met by food, water, and agriculture challenges that thanks to the people’s ingenuity were soon turned into solutions, and Israel became a leading, self-sufficient country.
Nowadays, with most of its crops grown locally, Israel has a thriving vegan culture, and in addition to the 7 biblical species – wheat, barley, figs, olives, dates, pomegranates, and grapes – you can also find exotic ones, such as bananas, avocados, and mangos.

So, what about actual Israeli food?

Over the years, hummus, falafel, and shawarma became synonymous with Israeli cuisine, however, these dishes are considered Middle Eastern and each of the Arab countries has its own versions.

The following are actual Israeli dishes. Enjoy!

Sabich – This dish with Iraqi roots is a sandwich stuffed with deep-fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, potatoes, vegetables, and a variety of sauces, such as tahini, amba, and hot sauce.
Very simple and super yummy!

Ptitim – In the first years of Israel’s existence, there was a shortage of rice.
For the Sephardic Jews, it was a major problem since rice is their staple food.
The story goes that Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion asked Osem – one of Israel’s leading food companies – to create a substitute for rice, and the result was “Ptitim”- tiny bits of cooked dough that looked like rice.
The nickname it received was “Ben-Gurion rice.”

Shkedei Marak – Another devise of the Osem food company.
Also known as soup mandels, these are small yellow squares made of flour and palm oil.
Similar to croutons, they are usually added to soups.

Cherry Tomato – First created at the Agriculture Faculty in the city of Rehovot, this small tomato answered the wish for a healthy snack that became particularly popular for TV binge-watching.
Cherry tomato became a global hit and thanks to its long shelf life, it is one of the most successful Israeli exports.

Bamba – These peanut butter puffs are among the most popular local snacks.
Kids just love it! “Bamba” is said to be one of the first words of an Israeli child.
Fascinated with the Israeli snack, foreign scientists decided to put it under a magnifying glass, and were quite surprised to find out that it is particularly beneficial for preventing peanut allergies.

Tortit – A delicious chocolate bar stuffed with almond cream.
It is so good that it was re-created in the form of ice cream, cookies, and cakes.

Sufganiyah – A round, deep-fried doughnut filled with jam, available at stores almost exclusively from the end of Sukkot to the end of Hanukkah.
This pastry joins a variety of deep-fried Hanukkah dishes that represent the Miracle of Multiplying Oil in the story of the Maccabees.
Every year, Israeli bakeries and confectioneries go above and beyond to create their own unique versions with some interesting combinations of jam, dough, and custard.

Rugelach – A crescent-shaped pastry, made of rolled triangle dough with chocolate and cinnamon filling.
Make sure to get one on your next visit to the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

In the last few decades, Israeli restaurants started popping all around the world, and Israeli food received broad recognition through cooking shows and celebrity chefs. We welcome you to travel with Hoshen and incorporate one or more exciting culinary tours on your next trip to Israel.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”- Plato

The state of Israel was established in 1948. It was a country with very limited natural resources, however, there was one thing this country was blessed with – people with natural creativity.
Today, over 70 years after, despite all struggles, Israel stands as the number one country in innovations per capita.

Declared as a “startup nation” with numerous breakthroughs in science, technology, agriculture, medicine, military and other fields, Israel was transformed into a hub of innovations that addresses key issues affecting human life on our planet.
It is a home for many entrepreneurs and indeed, a key player in high-tech innovation that attracts giant countries to its shores in search of investments. 

There are several factors which have led Israel to successful innovations:

• Israel’s government is dedicated to supporting all innovators by allocating 4.1% of its budget. It is ranked as the second country in the world to allocate such a large percentage. 

• Israeli education system produces a high number of scientists and engineers per capita. 

• The key factors influencing business performance are flexibility and creativity, and those are the driving force of innovation. Israel’s ability to rapidly transform consumer demands into organizational action is attributed to its consistent success in the versatility index and its widespread recognition as a capital for innovation.

• Investment legislation permits a reduced company tax rate and investment grants to support international companies in Israel.
  Another government incentive program offers job grants for R&D centers and large corporations.
  The program provides a four-year grant scheme that covers an average of 25% of the employer’s payroll costs for each new employee.

In this article, we have picked some of the exciting startups and ventures you can learn and see in Israel. 

Iron Dome

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and funded mostly by the US, Iron Dome was born as a response to the modern warfare going on in the Middle East and as a result of the 2nd Lebanon war in 2006, during  which Hezbollah shot over 4000 rockets at Israel.
The system, used by the Israeli Defense Forces, has the ability to intercept missiles launched from ranges of 4-70 km, and can operate day and night in any weather.
Israel has 10 Iron Dome batteries equipped with a radar, 4 launchers and 20 missiles. It is one of the most successful projects of the Israeli military industry, with a success rate of about 90%. 

“Netafim” Irrigation System

Water was a key problem for farmers as there was not enough water to irrigate the fields. The main reason for this struggle is the fact that Israel’s climate is mostly arid.
However, Engineer Simcha Blass came up with an idea that has changed farmer’s life forever.
Blass’s concept, which was named “Netafim”, came about as he was observing two trees: one was bigger than the other, despite growing in the same environment.
Simcha noticed that there was a dripping water pipe next to the bigger tree.
He realized that the few drops of water dripping at the tree were enough to make it grow taller than the other one.

Later, Blass came up with a pipe pierced with small holes – from water drops to crops.
The farmers could now grow crops, while utilizing the limited water available.
Netafim’s innovative project allowed the crop yield to increase by 70%, and at the same time, water usage by farmers reduced by 5%.
Today, the same technology is used by farmers in 110 countries.

Watergen – drinking water produced from thin air

In 2009, Arye Kochavi founded Watergen – a company that creates drinking water from air.
Watergen devices have the capability of extracting humidity from air through patented genius technology.
The device vaporizes water molecules from air, liquidizes it and produces quality drinking water safe for consumption. 
This unique, life-saving invention aims to solve the lack of clean water in various locations across the world.
Watergen was selected as one of the ten most prominent Israeli technology inventions.
Additionally, in 2019, it was selected by the Time Magazine as one of the 100 most innovative and unique inventions in the world.   

Mobileye 

In 1999, Amnon Shashua and his business partner Ziv Aviram came up with a special car technology innovation.
They developed a tiny camera with unique algorithms capable of preventing car accidents.
The device warns in real time about hazards, vehicle deviation from its lane, and detects pedestrians, cyclists and speed signs.
This technology is used as an aid to the driver, an additional car-safety system and an infrastructure for autonomous vehicles.

In 2017, Mobileye was acquired by Intel for $15.3 million, and dozens of car manufacturing companies have come forward to adopt this technology. 

Water Desalination 

Water shortage is a major issue in the Middle East.
To cope with its water problem, Israel turned to desalination of water coming from the Mediterranean Sea and briny wells.

The innovation has made Israel a global leader in water desalination, and as of 2015, half of the water consumed in the country comes from desalinated water.

Today, Israel has 10 water desalination plants and 2 more will be established by 2023.

Waze GPS 

A combination of the words “ways” and “maze”, it is a GPS app that was developed by Ehud Shabtai.
The idea was born following a certain incident, when Shabtai had to use a normal GPS and was disappointed due to its ineffectiveness.
He noticed that the GPS was somewhat successful at giving directions, but failed to provide traffic information in real-time.
Together with his colleagues, they created a community-based navigation system that provides traffic updates on the go.

Using crowdsourcing platforms to gather information about traffic conditions, such as warnings on accidents and roadwork, Waze serves as the main GPS app for almost 100 million users worldwide.
The company was sold for $1.1 billion to Google in 2013.

Checkpoint Software Technologies

Checkpoint Software Technology was founded by 25-year-old Gil Shwed and two of his friends in a small apartment in Ramat Gan back in 1993.
They built the modern firewall for the commercial computer network, offering computers worldwide protection from the dangers of cyberspace. 

Today, with some 100,000 users and 2,300 employees worldwide, the company is one of the world’s leading IT security providers in the world. 

SniffPhone – a device that detect diseases

This Israeli innovation will make a great impact on all sectors, but especially on the world of medicine.
Based on the NaNose Breathalyzer (a large device used only in laboratories), the SniffPhone is a portable tool that with a simple connection to the phone can analyze breath and detect certain particles that attest to a variety of diseases. 
With accuracy of 86-93% it can help identify certain cancer tumors, Parkinson’s disease dementia, multiple sclerosis, and many more.

According to its creators, it is estimated to become commercial within a few years and will be “highly accurate, inexpensive and easy to use.”

Nano Dimension

Established in 2012, this company produces and develops a variety of 3D printers for the electronics industry.
For the first time in history, electronics companies and engineers can print a whole PCB (Printed Circuit Board) in a matter of hours.
This breakthrough technology is used for a wide range of industries, electronic consumer products, medical equipment, security, space, vehicles and more.

ReWalk 

After a tragic accident leaving him paralyzed from the waist down, Dr. Amit Goffer spent years designing a way for people with paraplegia to be less reliant on wheelchairs.
ReWalk is an exoskeleton robot, powered by a backpack battery, which receives movement signals from a wristwatch and enables the user to stand upright, walk and even climb stairs.
This innovation received official recognition following the 2014 London Marathon and the 2012 London Paralympics. 

PillCam 

Scientist Gavriel Iddan came up with this great innovation after suffering from chronic stomach pain.
He developed a digestible and disposable camera with the ability to transmit data from the stomach to the receiver.
Helping patients to postpone trips to the hospital, and entering areas that are otherwise very hard to reach, the PillCam has revolutionized modern medicine. 
The FDA-approved PillCam is now used worldwide to diagnose digestive system diseases, intestinal disorders and cancers.
Iddan won the European Inventor Award in 2011, 14 years after the prototype was first created.

BioBee 

Akiva Falk, a bug lover from Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu in the Jordan Valley, founded BioBee in 1983.
The company focuses on biological pest control, intending to reduce the usage of pesticides in agriculture.
The goal is to use the natural ability of insects in order to make crops safer for consumption.
BioBee is currently running three projects:
breeding bumblebees in greenhouses for pollination; using “friendly insects” such as mites, wasps, and beetles to attack harmful pests; and reducing the number of harmful insects by genetically modifying their reproductive ability.
Over the years, BioBee developed into a multinational company, while its head offices remain in Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, where it all began. 

The following are two innovation centers that we recommend visiting during your trip:

Peres Center for Peace & Innovation 

The Peres Center is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental organization that was founded in 1996 by the former Israeli president Shimon Peres.
Its goal is to create a dialogue and promote coexistence between Jews and Arabs through projects in a variety of fields such as sport, education, medicine and technology.
As the Peres Center seeks to pave the way to peace with our neighbors and shared living between Israeli and Palestinians, it is the first center of its kind for tourists, where you have a chance to explore the amazing stories of Israeli innovations in a fascinating and immersive journey inspired by the vision of late President Shimon Peres. 

Taglit Innovation Center 

In collaboration with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, Taglit Center for Israeli Innovation is a cutting-edge visitor center that presents the Israeli Start-Up Nation.
A tour of this center serves as an introduction to the Israeli start-up community and usually features an intimate session with an Israeli entrepreneur sharing their personal story.

More than 80 leading Israeli firms, including the most dominant technology companies and promising Israeli start-ups, are represented at the exhibition.
Since being founded in summer of 2016, over 120,000 visitors have toured the center, including students, business delegations, and diplomats from across the world.