Day 01 – Shephelah: Yad Hashmonah, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Beth Guvrin (Maresha)
View in back of Nev Ilan Hotel, Jerusalem
Bogainvillea outside Hotel Nev Ilan
Orange Tree outside hotel Nev Ilan
Marge and Matt entering Yad Hashmonah Park Yad Hashmona is a vibrant community of believers in Israel. It is a moshav shitufi (communal village), located in the Judean hills close to Jerusalem.
Bill Hansen and John Kidle and Elsi Sly
Yad Hahmonah
Leigh and Matt Hook, Sarah Bement, Rita Fulton, Linda Boulard
Leigh and Matt Hook
Yad Hashmonah
Replica of acient burial cave
Yad Hashmonah
Our guide, Dan Mossek explaining the workings of an ancient wine press
DUMC Travelers getting a lesson about olive oil making in Biblical times
Demonstration of a threshing floor
Acorns look different in Israel
Saffron is harvested from this flower, Crocus sativus. No wonder it’s so expensive!
Bet Shemesh, Beit Shemesh, which controlled the northern approach to Judah, was at one time of great strategic importance. – one of 12 chosen to provide food for King Solomon and his immense family (1 Kings 4:9).
But Beit Shemesh has another claim to fame as well: it was here that a battle took place between Amazia, King of Judah, and Jehoash the king of Israel.
Pastor Tim Broyles
Pastor Tim
Bet Shemesh
Dan’s Tanakh, Hebrew Scripture including book of law, prophets, and collected writings.
Dan’s Tanakh, Hebrew Scripture including book of law, prophets, and collected writings.
Bet Shemesh
Sharon Broyles at Tel Azekah
Dan and Bronwyn Gubachy at Tel Azekah
Jackson Bement, Steve and Lynette Lynch at Tel Azekah
Overlooking Timnah
Hebrew Scripture carved on the stones tells the story of Samson in Judges 13.
Pastor Tim at Shephelah Beth Shemesh
Andrea Scheirer, Matt Hook, Frank and Sally Burroughs overlooking the Sorek Valley
More Saphron
Display of archetechural elements and ancient devices gathered from all over Israel
Ancient stone and antiquities holding field on Tel Azekah
Ancient stone and antiquities holding field on Tel Azekah
Sarah, Marge, Jennifer and Luke heading to lunch spot
Descending into the first of many cisterns we visit on this trip
Sunset first day on the way to the hotel near Negev