Bet She'an, Bet Alpha, Gilboa Mts.

Bet She'an was once called Scythopolis, and provides strategic control of the Jezreal Valley.

Bet Alpha is the site of an ancient Synagogue, containing a floor depicting greek deities, zodiacs, and biblical scenes.

The Gilboa mountains also have biblical significance, but they also provide a stunning view of the Jezreal Valley, and Jordan.

We also had a wonderful swim in the Sahkne Pools!

PICTURES

Rabin Rally, Tel Aviv 2010, 15 Year Anniversary

A cold quiet carried through the tens of thousands who congregated around Rabin Square on Saturday night. We got there just in time to hear President Shimon Peres talk. Mosh Ben Ari also performed. This might be the last time that the yearly rally takes place, because the event isn't bringing the same crowds anymore...

PICTURES

Haaretz on Rally and Peres

JPost on the Rally and Peres

Goodybe, Ehud

Ira's Visit: Herodion, According to Ehud Netzer...

Ehud Netzer, archeologist who located Herod's tomb, dies at 76

By: Nir Hassson, Haaretz, 28.10.10

Professor Ehud Netzer, one of Israel's most renowned archeologists, marked for his discovery of King Herod's tomb in 2007, died on Thursday after succumbing to wounds related to a recent accident at the famed archeological site.

Netzer was seriously injured after falling down a six-meter drop at the Herodium site on Monday, as a wooden banister he had leaned on suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Karem with a fractured skull and neck vertebrae.

Professor Netzer, considered one of the most senior researchers on Herod, has been excavating at the Herodium site south of Jerusalem since 1972 in efforts to identify the burial site of the King of the Jews. Netzer continued his active participation in the excavations following the discovery, despite reaching the age of 76.

The tomb, which Netzer had been searching for the better part of 35 years, had been desecrated and intentionally concealed by rebels at the time of Great Jewish Rebellion against the Roman empire in the first century CE.

Netzer had begun his studies as an architecture student in Haifa's Israel Institute of Technology, moving to archeology after working under Yigal Yadin in the Hatzor excavations. He then studies archeology in the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he served as professor until his retirement eight years ago.

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Netzer's tragic death is a loss for his family, for research into the heritage of Israel and for archaeology."

Professor Netzer's funeral will take place on 10:00 A.M. Friday at the Kiryat Anavim cemetery.