creative jewish mom

A Visit to Mount Turan In The Lower Galilee, Northern Israel

A week ago my husband, daughter and I went away for Shabbos, a last goodbye to summer, and another opportunity to explore places we've never been. I rented a small "tzimmer" in the village of Mitzpe Netofa, just a 40 minute drive from home, and when we arrived I could not help but notice cars climbing the small mountain which comprised our view. So, while there was still time before shabbat, we took a drive to the top of Mount Turan, and enjoyed stunning views and a new to us place! It turns out that there are hiking trails and biking trails, so keep that in mind, and the road itself has been recently renovated and you can learn about the different approaches here. We took the route that starts just before the gate to Mitzpe Netofa, but I now realize there are several ways to get to Mount Turan, so maybe next time we'll try a different route! The Mount Turan Scenic Route has been somewhat recently paved in large sections, rendering it accessible to vehicles, and worth a visit as the route provides a wonderful view of the stunning landscapes of the Lower Galilee. Keep on reading for more info and lots of photos.....

Stunning Texas Sage, Or Cenizo, Blooms In Northern Israel

The world of horticulture is truly fascinating, and I am always interested in the names of plants and their origin, because sometimes it is quite surprising, as is the case here! I would never have thought that this stunning blooming bush was actually a native of Texas and Mexico, but yes indeed! Wonderful species make their way around the world, which has been the case since the earliest ships left Europe for distant lands and returned with specimens! This past August during our second week of vacation we stayed in an amazing mountaintop community called Hararit, and then visited a neighboring community called Yodfat, and in both locations I saw this stunning bush in bloom, and now I have to have some myself. Just now as I was trying to identify the bush I learned that it is called Texas sage, Leucophyllum frutescens, though I'll have to find out what it is called in hebrew (just as soon as Rosh HaShana is over and we can return to gardening.) Keep on reading for a bit of info I've collected and to see close up photos of the gorgeous silver-ish leaves.

Kibbutz Harduf In Bloom

This year we did not travel to the USA during our 3 week summer break, so I made an effort to find some vacation rentals in places we'd never been and I had never heard of (of course there are many...) Our first stop was a lovely mountain-top kibbutz in the Lower Galil, called Kibbutz Harduf. It is a special place and we enjoyed our three nights there, which included for me of course, lots of walks around the area to explore, and then to go out once again with camera in hand, to capture all the gorgeous blooms! I already posted my photos of the variegated bougainvillea, and here I'm sharing many of the other flowers who begged to be photographed. Enjoy!

A Visit To The Tzippori River Promenade

With the three week period between Tisha B'Av and Rosh Chodesh Elul when all school age children/college students/ talmudic scholars are on vacation now in full swing, we are so blessed to have the opportunity to explore some amazing places not far from home (around 1 hour) that if not for cancelled plans for a trip to the USA, we may never have explored! Israel is full of so many wonderful locations, with hiking trails galore, archeological sites galore and both the Mediterranean Sea and two large lakes, as far as water goes, ah yes and then there is the Jordan River! It is true that this three week period means many cars on the road and crowds in some places, we have chosen to explore the slightly less beaten path, and I couldn't be happier! Our first stop was a 3 night stay in Kibbutz Harduf, with a view of the Haifa skyline, and just below the rental a lovely canyon where the Tzippori River flows, and where some of the trails are a part of the Israel National Trail. Of course, I just had to get an up close look, and we ended up at a really sweet location with a paved walk and lots of shallow water, perfect for picnics and little kids, and scenic for the rest of us! Little did I know that there was actually a paved promenade! Keep reading for more directions and lovely photos.......

The Gravesite of Ovadia HaNavi In Bar Am, Northern Israel

On our local outings during the holiday of Passover we visited the ancient gravesite of Ovadia HaNavi in Baram, Northern Israel. I'm just now getting around to sharing my photos with you, because, well, life is busy, and I'll admit that I've been favoring my @sara.rivka.dahan instagram account, meaning I have not been creating content for my precious blog, but rather art and illustration, though yes, I need to post more of that here. Lest I digress, lets visit this wonderful site! Please note: While Wayz will bring you to the approximate location, so you have to be a little bit adventurous to find it! There isn't really a sign on the street, but it is just beyond the Baram cemetary entrance, so look for the blue dome.

A Visit To Kerem Ben Zimra, Northern Israel

Last shabbat my husband and I had the chance to go away, just the two of us, and at long last we spent Shabbat in Kerem Ben Zimra, just a 20 or so minute drive from our home, but a special place indeed, with gorgeous sweeping views of the surrounding hills and mountains, and the real feeling of peace and quiet! My priority of course was to rent a place that had a great view for me to sketch, together with a quiet spot to enjoy the view outdoors, and I found it! All the photos I'm sharing here are from the yard of the vacation rental, and it was such a pleasure to just gaze at the gorgeous orchards, and watch the fabulous sunset. My heart longs for more, so we will certainly visit again!

Summer Volunteer Opportunities In Israel

There are many reasons why one would want to travel to Israel, and volunteering is a great way to not only get involved in a special cause that speaks to you, but also get to know Israel beyond the standard tourist experience. By volunteering in Israel next summer, you won't be merely making a difference but also opening the doors to acquire your own unique personal experience. Looking at the relatively tiny size of the Holy Land, it can be surprising to see so many amazing volunteering opportunities that Israel offers, but this just goes to show how deeply Israelis care about volunteering and helping out. There is even an app that lists people who are looking for volunteers to guard their sheep, to help on the farm, to herd the goats, you name it! It doesn't matter what age group you are, what languages you speak, or how strong you are. There is something for everyone. 

Depending on your skills and personal interests, you could sign up for assisting with constructing environmentally-friendly buildings, marine and wildlife conservation, teaching English to children living in the rural communities, etc. You could also volunteer to pick fruit and on your down time explore the amazing Israeli cities, such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and Tzfat up north. Here are some of the best ways to volunteer in Israel this summer: