This video by Lori Palantik, a highly respected leader in the Jewish community, is sounding the trumpet call for the return of American Jews to Israel, Now. A very prominent Rabbi told her,”When they start killing Jews in the streets, it’s time”.
Shivta-A Desert Jewel
The ancient city of Shivta was located in the middle of the Negev desert, about 43 kilometers SW of Beersheva. Christainity came to the Negev in the fourth century and the remains of two large churches stand above the ruins today. The artwork and other artifacts found at the site, point to the Nabatean, Roman and Byzantine periods. Water channels were extensively built, carrying water throughout the very developed city. Shivta was abandoned sometime in the 10th century, along with the other Nabatean cities along the incense route. Archeologists today are working to put together pieces of information that they have found, to discover why these cities were abandoned and the nation of the Nabateans disappeared. The Nabateans are thought to have descended from Ishmael.
A bit of information about Shivta
Still at work uncovering ancient treasures
A team of archeologists are carefully digging in the sand
A large street in one of the largest Nabatean cities in the Negev
Remains of one of two churches still visible
Another view of the triple apse basilica, with a long nave separated by two rows of columns
Looking through the doorway into the remains. Notice the artwork on the top of the doorway.
Workers placing the original stones in the arch. We watched with baited breath, hoping they didn’t drop the stone and shatter it.
Looking down the wide road. Incredible…
The Govenor’s house..or the remains of a monastery. One of the few two story buildings remaining with the top story stones still intact.
The lintel above the entrance is decorated with Christian symbols
Large and well preserved
Overlooking the courtyard of the large “Governor’s Buildng”
From a distance, this towers above the rest of the city
Look close at the faded paint inside this church dome and see if you can see a man kneeling…
Looking into the remains of the other 4th century church
Cruciform baptismal font hewn out of one piece of rock
Walking inside the other church remains
Jeff inspecting the arch. How did they do that?
These farmers colleccted every bit of water.
Wonder who walked these streets when this town was flourishing?
Looking from the inside out
Quite a view
Looking out from Shivta across the desert
Narrow is the pathway that leads to life…and home
A firey sky at sunset taken from our back porch.
Looking back on Hanukkah
We enjoyed being in Israel for Hanukkah. As part of our celebration experience, we went to Jerusalem for the eighth and final lighting of the hanukkiah light. It was exciting to be at the Kotel, with the crowds gathering there in a spirit of expectancy. The dignitaries came in well-guarded cars, the torches on top of an adjacent building were lit, the music started, the crowd sang and moved with the beat, then a hush settled over everyone, as the Rabbi started the prayers.
Enjoy the sites with us, including a stroll through the narrow passageways of the Jewish quarter of the Old City. The golden glow of candles shining through the darkness was evident everywhere you looked.
Lighting hanukkiahs at a party.
And then we dance..after eating, of course.
Here come the troops.
The city was full of cadets joining the throngs going to the Kotel.
Couldn’t resist taking a photo of this handsome toddler!
Here we come…
On our way through security in order to enter the Western Wall area.
A mixture of people gathering for the prayers.
Young boys climbing on the fence, impatiently playing around, waiting for the ceremony to start.
Yes, we are really here! And it’s not too cold…
Waiting for the dignitaries to light these torches.
What a sight to see these 3 foot flames light up the area.
Another hanukkiah overlooking the Kotel.
There, it is lit! The young boy to the right is a teen terror victim. He got to light one of the candles.
Father lighting his hanukkiah with his small son looking on.
Unusual display of candles waiting to be lit. By the look of it, there is a large family behind this!
Hanukkiahs are put in windows for all to see.
Look up!
One of many ways to display the lights!
Lights everywhere!
A lot of families live here..
Making our way out..
Images of Dreidels dancing on the Old City Wall
Visiting Magdala
Magdala is an ancient fishing community situated at the base of Mount Arbel, on the Sea of Galilee. It is situated close to Capernium and the Mount of Beautitudes. This is the site of the oldest synagogue excavated in Galilee and a place where Yeshua surely taught and healed the multitudes, including Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala) who made her hometown famous. The Magdala stone was discovered inside the First Century Syngague. The design appears to be a three-dimensional representation of the Second Temple of Jerusalem and includes the world’s oldest carved menorah. To see a short youtube presentation on Magdala from Archaeology News Network at https://youtu.be/fsjJW-EBb8g
The young boy with the fishes and loaves may have brought his fish from Magdala on his way to listen to the Sermon on the Mount.
Geographical location on Sea of Galilee
Uncovered steps
Steps to mikvah
Waterways bringing fresh water into mikvah
Still digging
A view of market place
Looking across the town to the synagogue
Then….
and Now…notice the rosetta design…the logo for Magdala.
Another view of synagogue
A group on tour from California
Mosaic still in pretty good shape
Jeff checking out the synagogue
One side of the Magdala stone. The tour guide said they would have put the Torah on this stone to read from it. “The intricate design appears to be a three-dimensional representation of the Second Temple of Jerusalem”.
Another view of the stone. Notice the Menorah which is the world’s oldest carved menorah. The Rosetta design on the top is the basis for Magdala’s logo and can be seen in the mosaic design in the synagogue.
Sue leaning on the remaining synagogue wall
A great view…
Small rooms, amazing concept of urban living
Mosaic in the church on site
She made the town famous
Walk with us in Jerusalem
We spent an afternoon in Old City Jerusalem, visiting the Temple Institute. They have replicated the items that will be needed in the Third Temple to re-institute temple worship. They have many beautiful large paintings on the wall depicting Israel’s history, the giving of the Torah, the tabernacle, the first temple period, the second temple period, and what it might look like for the building of the third temple…even with the help of the light rail and cranes!
The priests garments and the High Priest garments, along with the breastplate and turban are on display on mannequins in glass cases. The alter, the laver, the incense table, the showbread table…it’s all there and ready to go when God’s timing is right. It really is interesting. As all museums are, there is a headset audio tour in English. Sorry, no pictures or videos allowed. visit their website for more information: www.temple institute.org
But, walk with us through the winding streets and sidewalks and enjoy the flavor of the Old City as we strolled around.
Our street in Mevo Betar
Mevo Betar, bearing fruit even in the winter season
Barrier to keep stone throwers away
You can see this protects the cars from terrorists throwing rocks
More fences….
Look close at the top of the gray car…a travelling hanukkijah!
One of the 12 gates surrounding Old City Jerusalem…the Zion Gate
One of the many sidewalks
A courtyard, look how clean
Another walkway winding through the city
Feeling safe…
One of the many underpasses to wak through
A display of the many wares for sale
A view of the Mount of Olives
The Western Wall
Another view of the Western Wall
The menorah on display, ready for use in the Third Temple
Another courtyard
Lighting the second candle for the second night of Hanukkah.
The Light of the World!
For rededication…
The city gate and walkway on top…for the watchmen on the wall!
Dusk is falling…
A box on the outside of the wall . Happy Hanukkah!
These are in the middle of the roundabouts…they are everywhere!
Yummy…Hanukkah Sufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts) ….symbolize the miracle of burning oil..
Cyprus
We started out our November adventure with a 10 day trip to Cyprus. We attended a wonderful conference with people that represented many nations in the Middle East. It was very informative and well worth our time. We made new friends and contacts that have enriched our lives.
Here are some of the sights we saw from that beautiful island.
And on to Larnaka, driving on the left and looking over the right shoulder at the round abouts! But the signs are all Greek to us…
The view to the West from our hotel
Locals enjoying the beach and the warm temps
A wonderful Greek pastry and coffee shop in the mountains
A view of the Medeterranean Sea
Driving to the hill country to have supper with young leaders from another ministry
A golden sunset over the city
A tree covered walkway in this clean country
Some beauty
A view to the East from our beachfront
A view of the center that was miraculously provided for Lighthouse Ministries
The ministry center where we had lunch by the pool in the back
Two large warehouses which will store resources to be shipped to the needy
Beginning of a new day
Jeff enjoying a cappuccino during one of our breaks
And the end of a wonderful day as the sun sets over the distant mountains
ASHKELON – NOW AND THEN
We had a short three day stay in Ashkelon when we arrived in Israel from Cyprus. Ashkelon has an amazing history. Ashkelon (or Ashqelon) began some 10,000 years ago. The city was founded during the Middle Canaanite period (2000-1550BCE). During the Israelite period (1200-1000 BCE) Ashkelon was one of the five Philistine cities. It is mentioned in the biblical eulogy of David for Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:20. Ashkelon is also linked to Sampson, who struck down 30 Philistines in Judges 14:11-19. The city reached its peak during the Roman period (37 BC-324CE). It has been a major port city in its long history, as it continues to be today in Israel. Residents enjoy the water activities along the beachfront of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. (information taken from the park folder).
Enjoy some of the National Park sights with us!
This speaks for itself, see the city gate in the next picture
The Cannonite City Gate.
The bricks are very old.
Jeff checking out the ancient building materials.
Some of the walls that surrounded ancient Ashquelon
Some of the remaining walls built around the city
Remains of St. Mary Viridis Church, in use during the fifth century.
You can see part of the grottos
A view of the Roman Basilica from the third Century. It was 100 meters long and 35 meters wide. Here was where the public activity of Ashqelon took place.
An ancient well with great quality drinking water.
And this is how you got it up from the deep well.
You can see the shards of pottery mixed in with stone that makes up the walkway today.
A LONG walk to the top of the hill. Sue felt like she accomplished a lot being able to walk and climb the steep hill.
An amazing view from the top
Sue is touching stones that are thousands of years old.
A view of the beach and the ancient port. You can see some of the modern port off in the distance.
Portions of the Muslim and Crusader walls have been strenghtened by inserted Roman columns
We send you greetings from Ashquelon
An amazing sunset to end our amazing day
Pictures of the North
Here are some pictures of the trip Sue and I made to the Golan Heights and the Hula Valley. The valley is high above the Sea of Galilee and is full of streams and the headwaters of the Jordan River. The upper Golan was closed off due to military activity for a day, but Sue and I were able to drive up highway 98 from the highway 87 junction. This highway parallels the Syrian border within a few miles and Israeli forces and very present. We traveled north just past the Syrian town of Kuneitra, where the news has reported that heavy fighting has occurred in the past month between ISIS and Syrian forces. It was all quiet on the eastern front for us that day.
The Sea of Galilee as seen at sea level viewed from the south.
The bronze statue of Saint Peter by the sea shore at Capernium
Sue meditating by the shore at Capernium.
Sue after hiking down the mountian to Gamala, the Masada of the north where over 4000 Jews perished at the hands of the Romans.
An old olive grove near the Lebanon border in the far north.
There is no such thing as level ground to walk in the old city of En Hod.
Haifa Bay at twilight.
The beautiful green mountians of Carmel.
the view looking north from the artist village of Rosh Pina, first settled by Romanian Jews in 1880.
A beautiful cool day looking over the lush Hula Valley in the North.
Today at 11:05, Israel had a nation wide Airaid drill to test all emergency systems. The sound brought back the memories of the fifty days of sirens and hundreds of rockets that were fired from Gaza at us here in Beer Sheva.
Not a Drill.
Aftermath from a rocket attack.
Thank the Lord for the Iron Dome Miss.e System.
Standing up for Israel
This year, Purim falls on March 4th-5th. It’s a day of
celebration commemorating Queen Esther’s faith and courage and
the deliverance of the Jewish People from the destructive hands of
Haman, who plotted their annihilation.
Esther called her people to fast. The Jewish People were in danger,
and Esther took a serious and enormous risk to obtain favor and stop
the plot against them. She had the courage to step out of royal
protocol in order to get attention. She had good reason.
There is a startling similarity between Esther’s brave pursuit
and what will happen here in the United States on March 3rd, the very
day of the Esther Fast this year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak to Congress. This is the speech that
is causing controversy all the way from the White House to Israel
because it wasn’t set up “according to protocol.”
And yet, the Prime Minister is determined to speak up on behalf of his
country regarding the deadly threat of Iran’s nuclear powers,
not only to his nation and people, but to the world.
News from Jeff & Sue 
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