Israel Blog | Yoni Tours

Apr 28

Remembering the Holocaust 2014

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Uncategorized | No Comments

I stand and listen to the screaming silence of the siren. At first I think of our six million brothers and sister who were stolen away from us for eternity. It’s hard to grasp.

Then I’m thankful that we live in the Jewish state and can protect ourselves.

The screaming silence continues. Although only two minutes in length- it contains in it a period of years, memories and horrors that we try not to think of most of the time. In such a significant two minutes my mind races through the collective thoughts of many years.

We say ‘never again’. we remember the horrors that the most ‘enlightened’ civilization committed against our people in modern times.
Every year In addition to remembering the past- I wonder about the present. who is responsible to stop genocide in other places?
What responsibility does remembering the holocaust give us as a people and me as an individual?

Something so great, so huge and horrible surely must mean more to us than standing in silence for two minutes.

The screaming silence fades. I go to read a book about the holocaust but the thoughts swirling in my mind don’t let me sit. I walk over to my computer and start to type.

Yom Hashoa/ Holocaust Remembrance Day
Israel
2014

Mar 19

Bridge over the river Acbara

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | History | 2 Comments

It doesn’t happen often that I stop driving to look at a bridge. Now, I’ll admit that it is my job to show people interesting places and things- but a bridge, and in a country that barely has water?!

The Acbara bridge, which is one of the entrance points to the city of Tzfat, is truly majestic. It appears to be made out of matchsticks as it spans across the large and deep Acbara Valley.

With a height of 80 meters the bridge is the highest in Israel. It stretches to a span of 420 meters over the steep valley.

After the Yom Kippur war (1973) the government decided to build a road that went around Tzfat. The reasons behind this new highway were to ease access to the hospital in Tzfat from the north and to make it easier to transfer troops during a time of war.

There were complications in planning due to the impact of the road and bridge on the environment. Although the decision to build was made in 1973 construction didn’t begin until 2003 and the bridge was completed two years later.
The bridge is basically suspended. There are four pillars that span the eighty meters to the floor of the valley, and iron cords run through the bridge for additional support.

The bridge is designed to hold heavy weights and is used to transport tanks. At the same time the bridge is dynamic and has a bit of swing- it can withstand earthquakes of a magnitude of up to 8.9 on the Richter scale.

In addition to all that- the bridge spanning the beautiful Acbara valley is a breathtaking site. It is a must see to everyone who is visiting Tzfat.

Feb 03

Of Plants and Pillows

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Nature | No Comments

You’ve already been up and on your feet for hours…you see a bush that looks nice and springy, almost fluffy. It is beckoning. You want nothing more than to lie down on it and go to sleep. As you come closer to the bush you realize that it is covered in small thorns… Or maybe at different time while in the army- possibly during an ambush the thorny bush was the most comfortable place to lie and wait….

I have experienced both of these scenarios. Do you know what plant I’m referring to?

It’s called the Prickly Burnet (Sarcopoterium spinosum). In Hebrew it is called the Sira Kotzanit סירה קוצנית which translated directly means prickly pot.

Since my military service I have been fascinated by this specific bush. I’m not sure why- maybe it is because of the green bush in a mostly arid region. Maybe it’s the domed shape which helps the plant resist the strong winds in the mountains. I can’t say exactly what it is was but I’ve always had a interest in this bush.
During a course on biblical plants and animals, that I took in Bar Ilan University, my class went on a trip to the biblical gardens/ reserve of Neot Kedumim. At the park we were given explanations of many different plants and their uses.

In ancient times and even up to the present the Prickly Burnet was used as a “mattress”. Thick blankets were piled over the bush to protect from the prickles but the user was able to take advantage of the springiness and the insulation from the cold ground. Basically it is nature’s spring mattress.

If that isn’t enough to give a bush a use- it was also planted as a natural fence to keep sheep from wandering away during the night. as a result of its size and its ability to withstand strong winds it is more permanent than most wooden fences.

I hope that this little post will help bring fame to the majestic Prickly Burnet. If you are ever on a trail and get a scratch from one- just remember- be nice to it because if you get stuck outside at night it could be your mattress.

Jan 09

Nabateans, Ashkelon and scallions

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Food, History | One Comment

The Nabatean people were a nomadic people who ran overland trade routes from Saudi-Arabia, Yemen and the far east (India, Thailand and China) during the Roman period.

They developed a system of wells and water cisterns in the desert which allowed them to travel the large distances with relative ease. In Israel the ruins of a number of their outposts can be seen today.

The Nabateans brought spices, incense and other riches from the east and Africa to the ports of the Mediterranean sea and from there exported the riches to the European world.

At some point in time the Nabateans stopped their nomadic life style and settled down. they built a number of cities in Israel which include Ovdat, Nitzana, Shivta and Mamshit. As a result of living in cities, their economy shifted from being based on spice trade to being based on agriculture.

With the rise of Christianity the Nabateans began to convert to christianity and grew grapes and made wine which was marketed to Europe. Over time the port of Gaza fell out of use and the port of Ashkelon rose in power and significance.

One of the many things which were exported from the port of Ashkelon were long thin green onions. In Europe these onions, which arrived from the port of ‘Ascalan’, were and to this day are called scallions.

Next time you go to the supermarket to buy scallions – consider the fact that you get them today due to an ancient port on the cost of the Mediterranean Sea called Ascalan.

Dec 17

A Storm Called Alexa

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Nature | One Comment

Last week Israel was hit by a snow storm the likes of which hasn’t been seen in over 100 years. In all honesty, usually when there is snow in Jerusalem it is barely a centimeter. The entire city shuts down and i laugh. After all- growing up in Canada- I experienced my fair share of snow storms and cold. But this storm was bigger than most of the storms that I remember…

This particular storm started with torrential downpours on Tues. Dec. 10. The next morning I travelled to Ein Prat which is a nature reserve in one of the valleys of the Judean Desert. The rain was falling non-stop, and it was cold- cold enough for me to wear a jacket, pants and closed shoes- all three of which I rarely wear.
While I was at Ein Prat I had the opportunity to see a shitafon (flash flood) from a safe location. From a slow moving shallow stream of clear water- I could hear the water rumbling in the distance- the stream suddenly rose about a meter in depth and the clear water was replaced by brown muddy water. I always find it awe inspiring to witness the strengths of nature..

That night (Wed. Dec.11) I stayed with friends in Jerusalem on the off chance that I may get to see some snow in the night. I had gotten messages from family in the mountains of Samaria that they had snow, so I woke up at 6 which was supposed to be the coldest point of the day expecting to see snow.
There still wasn’t any in Jerusalem, so I went back to sleep.

At 7:20 my friend woke me up because the snow had started to fall. After two hours there was more than enough to have a snow ball fight- so we did.
Untill the mid afternoon the snow continued to fall. Jerusalem doesn’t really have snow plows nor do cars have winter tires- so the city came to a stand-still. I began to worry about how I would get out of Jerusalem back to my family as the roads to and from Jerusalem were blocked by snow.

The roads were opened for a few hours during a lull in the snow fall and I managed to get back home. Soon after I left Jerusalem the snow began falling again and continued to fall until Saturday.

The storm was so severe that it was even named! It’s name is Alexa.

Many houses were cut off from electricity, cellular towers fell and roads were blocked leaving many towns and cities completely isolated.

My family in Samaria was stuck in their house without electricity for 3 days until jeeps were able to evacuate them. Almost a meter of snow fell in their settlement.
The city of Tzfat was also blocked off from the rest of the country for a few days. Jerusalem saw around 50cm of snow. Only now, 3 days later, are people in Jerusalem starting to go to work and children starting to go to school.

3 days after the storm more than 14 thousand houses still don’t have power. That’s a bigger problem than you may think because houses in Israel have very little insulation. Even when heaters are on the houses are still cold.

My extended family with whom we had lost contact with for a few days are O.K..

For my part- I got to play in the snow. All of us are still cold and wondering if we’ll see any more snow this year….

Nov 21

Hula Valley Reserve – A bird watchers dream come true

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Nature | No Comments

This post is especially for the bird lovers and the nature photographers among us.

The Hula Valley Reserve and Agamon HaHula are without a doubt the most surprising sites in Israel.

Why surprising? Surprising because they are large wetlands in a mostly arid country!

The story is a bitter sweet one. The newly founded State of Israel drained the wetlands in order to change swampland into usable farmland. At the time the government didn’t realise how important the wetlands were to the ecology of the area and to the migration of birds from Europe and Asia.

Draining the Hula Valley caused the complete devastation of wildlife in the area. All the birds that had migrated through Israel found alternate routes. A species of endemic (a plant or animal which is specific to one place) frogs was believed to have become extinct.
In the 1960’s a section of the valley was re-flooded and became Israels first nature reserve. Every year that passes more birds return to their original migratory pattern, and two years ago the frog which was believed extinct was rediscovered.

Every year over 200 species of birds fly through the valley on their migration. In the fall they journey/ migrate towards Africa and in the spring to Europe.

In the reserve you will find Indian water buffalo( locally called jamus), otters, catfish, turtles and birds. There is a covered walkway over the open swamp which facilitates spotting some of the 200 beautiful species of birds flying overhead. There is Visitors’ Center with a great 3D movie which tells the tale of the migrating birds.

The Hula Valley is a great place to take the entire family!

Oct 23

The Best Ice Cream in Nahlaot

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Food, Markets | One Comment

Have you ever wondered what wasabi flavoured ice cream tastes like? or maybe saffron flavoured? or maybe an grapefruit- basil flavoured sorbet? these are flavours that I had never dreamed of until they were presented to me.

On the recommendation of good friends I traveled to the shuk in Jerusalem in search of the tiny boutique ice cream shop Mousseline. After going two times and finding it full to the point of no space I persisted and got there on a morning (my third try). i was lucky- the place was empty and as such the seller was able to tell me about all of the flavours and let me try them all.

Jerusalem is full of Italian style ice cream shops- most of which are excellent. Mousseline differs in that the skills that Orit Verdi uses to make the ice cream were acquired at the French ECOLE LENÔTRE cooking school.

I truly can’t say that I’ve ever had such good ice cream and sorbets. the Flavours were all fresh, sharp tasty and aromatic. each flavour was exactly what i had been looking for all of my life.

Mousselines flavours are off the beaten path and exquisite. A must taste for all ice cream and sorbet lovers.
They can be found at 6 Ha’eshkol St., Mahaneh Yehuda Market, Jerusalem.

Oct 07

Childhood sweets in the Carmel Market

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Food, Markets, Uncategorized | No Comments

I found it!’ he said. I could tell that he was really excited… ‘what did you find?’ I asked calmly. ‘It! The Baba!’ he exclaimed. I too became excited- got on a bus and went straight to the Carmel market in Tel Aviv. I started to search through the vendors on a mission to find the elusive nougat.

As a child growing up in Canada I remember the mysterious treat that my aunt would bring during her infrequent visits. The treat was very closely guarded by my mother. We would each get a small piece of a creamy coloured chewy treat that had almonds or pistachios hidden inside. It was covered in white flour gently flavoured with cardamom. All I knew about the treat was that it only came with my aunt. Whenever we asked where the baba came from the answer was either- ‘It’s a secret’ or, ‘Eli’s sister’.
Taking into account the fact that my mother’s family is from Winnipeg- the baba connection was odd- it didn’t seem Canadian- and my aunt only had it after trips to Israel. I understood that it was somehow connected to my uncle Eli- who was born in Iraq and as a young child had moved with his family to Israel. Over the last half century, my uncle has been living in the USA with my aunt.
Now I know the true answer- baba is traditionally made in Iran and Iraq. It is one of the many exquisite and interesting things that can be found in the Carmel market.Always a mosaic of sounds, smells and noises, the Carmel market is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
The market is full of the flavours and specialties brought to Tel Aviv from countries all over the world. It is a short walk from Tel aviv’s famous “Banana Beach” , and an artist’s market that I will write about on a different day.

Jul 02

The Mahane Yehuda Shuk(market) in Jerusalem

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Markets | No Comments

As one of the most colourful places in jerusalem the market has a long history. The Jerusalem neighborhood of Mahane Yehuda was established in 1887. Beside the neighborhood there was an empty lot to which farmers and merchants would bring their produce and goods and sell them to local residents. Over time the lot became full of rickety stalls. In the 1920s the British cleared out the lot and built a permanent market.

Over the years new streets were added to the market to make it the maze that it is today. The Shuk has a wide open street with many vendors and a myriad of side streets/alleys. The Shuk has a wide variety of stores and restaurants. It has authentic bakeries and vegetable markets, colourful spice stores, clothing stores, new designer dresses, jewelry and much more. As a result of having something for everyone the Shuk makes a wonderful short outing but could take days to master fully….

Jul 02

Ein Gedi

Posted by CamelYoni_123 | Nature, Uncategorized | One Comment

Last week I took a family to Ein Gedi park. I was there long enough to be reminded of why I love it so much. The park is a desert oasis which is fed by the ein gedi springs. The springs get their water from rain that falls over the mountainous regions of the country and then seeps into the aquifer . The park has a number of different trails and has a large variety of sites. The different paths lead to waterfalls, pools of water (some of which people are welcome to swim in) and various archeological sites.

In addition to the nice cool and clean spring water- there is an impressive variety of animal and plant life. The heat and abundance of water result in tropical plants growing alongside dessert plants. The animals most likely to be seen include the Rock Hyrax, Ibex and a bird called Tristrams Starling. Nocturnal animals include foxes hyenas and from time to time leopards.

The park is a great place for children (and adults) who enjoy nature, playing in water and seeing wild animals!

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