Massada, Qumran and the Dead Sea

Tuesday, November 21, 2006
June Feldman, Reporting

What a beautiful morning as we began our drive to Massada.

We drove through the tunnel under Mt. Scopus and before we knew it were on the old Jerusalem - Jericho Highway. Walter pointed out the following:

• bedouin
• the Red Step
• an army base
• West Bank (Israeli occupied and administered)
• Jericho (an oasis)

• date palms
• the delta of the Kidron Valley (which begins at, and drains from, Jerusalem)
• another army installation
• Jordan across from the Dead Sea
• the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Ein Gedi Spa

At last Massada!

Congratulations to the eight eager members who walked to the top of Massada. They are: Irvin, Al, Howard, David, Sid, Fran, Hannah and Rabbi Mark.

(photo by David Savitzky) The rest of us enjoyed the ride by cable car.

I’m sure all of us learned so much from Walter’s amazing and informative tour.

Today’s group photo:

At the top-most level of King Herod’s private palace on the northern tip of the mountain.

Other pictures on Massada

Bob and Fran Goldstein.

Some young Israelis were busy making a movie “Massada II”. R. Mark tried to join the cast.

Qumran

Then on to lunch at Qumran for our starving group, and a too quick shopping stop at the visitors center. The film and Walter’s lecture about the Qumran caves and the Dead Sea Scrolls were well done and thought provoking.

The Dead Sea

And, lastly, everyone enjoyed the “swim” in the Dead Sea.

Respectfully submitted,

June Feldman

A group of twelve of us went to the restaurant Shippudei HaGefen. None of us had the turkey option:

back || next

An Exciting Adult Trip To Israel
Thursday, November 16, 2006 - Sunday, November 26
with a special option to visit the Red Rock City of Petra in Jordan
Sunday, November 26 - Thursday, November 30

Group Leaders: Rabbi Deborah Prinz & Rabbi Mark Hurvitz || Tour Guide: Walter Zanger || Tour Agent: Abrams Travel