Northern Israel
Bob & Elaine on the top of Mt. Arbel, overlooking Lake Kinneret, during their trip to Northern Israel.
“Sunday morning we left the Kibbutz & began touring parts of the Galil, Israel’s bread basket the Valley of Jezreel, and finally Haifa & the huge industrial plants.
August 5, 1957 - Night
I spent the weekend at a hotel on the shores of Lake Kinneret. I saw the Kibbutz Dagania yesterday...Today we are going into Western Galilee...
August 11, 1957 - Night
“Im sitting on a porch of a hotel at Metulah northern most point in Israel waiting for lunch.” “We are now on a tour of the Galil from yesterday until next Monday.”
“Yesterday we visited Hadera Nazareth Tiberias & certain Kibbutzim. We slept at a hotel on the shores of Lake Kinnert. Today we toured all of the north of the Galil & saw some of the holiest places of our religion. The tombs of Hillel & Shamai,”
“The Huleh Vallay is really a remarkable achievement of Israel. It was all swamp & now you see all green except when in between planting you see Black earth”
August 15, 1957 - Night
“Yesterday I returned from the Galil trip & a tour of Haifa to Jerusalem. Tomorrow morning I am leaving for a tour of the Haifa Bay Industrial Region and then Tel Aviv.”
August 20, 1957 - Night
“I am now in Naharia which is a resort & industrial city North of Haifa. It is typical Catskill Mountains in all respects except that industry is also present.”
“Last night was spent in another beautiful pool for night bathing with a group from a nearby Israeli army rest camp. Every soldier is required to take 2 weeks of rest at the seashore resort in nice tents on the beach at Government expense.”
August 22, 1957 - Night
David's Comments
Israel's North is a mosaic of natural wonders & beauty
Har Arbel today. The white circle indicates the exact spot where Bob & Elaine sat in 1957
My Father & Mother visiting Kibbutz HaSolalim 2017, in front of the cabins where their youth group stayed in 1957
The Ohalo hotel 1957, on the shores of the Kinneret, where my parents stayed with their youth group
The Ohalo today, when my wife and I visited in July 2020. Youth groups continue to come to the hotel
The Beautiful North
There are many places to tour in the north of Israel, each place with its own special beauty. The places my dad visited on his tour of the north included the Kinneret, Tiberias, Hulah Valley, Har Arbel, Metullah, Tzfat, Nazareth, Hadera, Emek yizrael Hadera, Haifa, Metullah, Naharia and many kibbutzim including Kibbutz Lavi. The scenery in the north is a must see. (see links below to view details of each location)
1957 vs today
In 1957, the Golan Heights were not under Israeli control and the Syrians were shooting down at Jews bathing in the Sea of Galilee, and at farmers in the Jordan and Hula Valley. Certain areas were in Israel’s hands but still not developed or accessible to the public. For instance, Rosh HaNikra, where the seawater enters a natural wonder Grottoes, was only seen by those few people who approached the area either by a small boat or by swimming. In 1957, tourists, including my father were never able to see it at that time.
Today, even with the long list of places Bob visited in the north in 1957, there are even more places to visit today – including Rosh HaNikra, which is accessible via cable car since 1968. Not only have all these cities developed, but in 1967 Israel captured the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon from Syria, so there is even more to see. From the Golan Heights, one can behold a magnificent view of northern Israel and visit Mount Hermon where one can ski in the winter. (Someone who enjoys swimming can then get in a car and drive six hours south to Eilat for a swim in the Red Sea!)
LINKS:
Video of Har Arbel today – Where Bob & Elaine were photographed in 1957: https://www.parks.org.il/en/reserve-park/arbel-national-park-and-nature–reserve/
Har Arbel: History & Facts: https://www.touristisrael.com/mount-arbel/2602/
Hula Valley Nature Reserve Video – Bird Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImobrsxsKl8
Kinnert song: “Shiri Li” (video): https://youtu.be/P5mNnyBj9wA
Metula – City on North east border with Lebanon: https://www.israel-in-photos.com/metula.html
Nahariya Israel’s northernmost coastal city on Border with Lebanon: https://www.touristisrael.com/nahariya/7676/
Mt. Hermon snow – Israel is not just hot sand and desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOCuOLbN0wA