Archaeological Dig

 Since we arrived in Israel, we had been to archaeological dig after dig, site after site, and on Wednesday, we got to do our own dig. We found bones, pieces of pottery, and shells. But when a helper said that the area right next to me was a hot spot for finding stuff, Kara and I both called it, and she said that I could dig there. I found pieces of charcoal, bones, pieces of pottery, and shells. But the best part was when I found a fully intact clay jug, used for things like holding water, oil, and wine. It was a truly amazing thing to find. When we went to the Israel Museum on Friday, there were a lot of jugs like the one I had dug up, but they were all formed from separate pieces of pottery glued together, but the one I found was completely intact. It was surreal for awhile, it felt like someone had placed it there and said good luck to whoever can find it first, but that isn't what it was. This was a fully intact jug from 2000 years ago, and I was the first person to touch it in 2000 years. It was a great experience, and it was a great way to start the end of our tour in Israel.

- Josh Sperr

Today (Friday, June 30th) we went to Yad Vashem. This place is a memorial site to the victims of the Holocaust. This was a very eye opening and moving place. One of the first things you see are garden of trees which represent The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations (people who helped the Jewish people). The trees were green and beautiful. Across the way, there was a sculpture that had multiple gray, rectangular stones that sat tall above a hill. These stones represented the numerous gravestones that were left unnamed during this dark time. After the sculpture, we walked through a memorial site for the children, the 1.5 MILLION CHILDREN murdered during the Holocaust. This site was specifically for the children who lost their lives in 1933-1945. This site was incredibly heart breaking. Our eyes saw the innocence that was snatched away from these children... we saw the precious faces of the healthy young; ambitious for life..we heard the names of the children who were murdered through the ridiculous beliefs...This site also had 7 candles lit up around a dark room that was filled with mirrors so it looked like there were millions of candles that lit the room. After remembering the loss of the children, we walked towards The Holocaust History Museum. The museum building itself was an art sculpture. The building was light gray and was shaped like a spike because it represented the open wound (the deaths) that will never be healed over Israel. The building has sky windows that naturally lit the building entirely. This is supposed to represent that the Holocaust was happening right in front of people. Walking through the building was very depressing. The building led you through the story of the Holocaust: the happy lives of the Jewish people, Hitler's rise to power, Anti-Semitic laws established, Concentration and Extermination camps established, Germany conquering neighboring countries, and the allied countries fighting back. Throughout the exhibits, there were names and short stories of the victims. This helped us really feel close to the victims and put ourselves in their shoes. There were also personal belongings from the victims to help you visualize their lives. At the end of the building, there was a big dome that was covered with numerous pictures of the lives that were lost during the Holocaust. It was so moving and heart breaking to look into the eyes of the people that were unjustly murdered.

- Abby Kohls

The Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations

Thoughts from a Returnee

From the eyes of a second timer, there is a reason to return to Israel.  Getting to do the water sites was the thing I was looking forward to the most.  I did get to go through Hezekiah's Tunnel.  It felt good to be wet in this heat.  The last time I was here, we had to deal with a snow storm.  Not a chance of a snowflake this time.  Dealing with the heat has been doable.  Finding shade or walking in the shade has been key.  As our guide Erez tells us every morning, "Welcome to another perfect day in the land of Israel."  It has turned out to be perfect days here.  Now they are about to end.  Yet we will all be able to return to these days with memories and of course our thousands of pictures.

Last Sunday we were in Beit Shean, the Disneyland for photographers.  It is an entire Roman city that lays before you.  We walked through the Roman Bath House, walked down the main street of the City and checked out some of the shops.  We made a stop in the bathrooms and even sang a song in the Roman theater.  For those that had lots of energy, they went to the top of the Tel (climbing something like 100 stair steps) to see a wonderful view of the lower city as well as the remains of the guard tower dating to Solomon's era.  From the top of the mountain you can see Mt. Gilboa where Saul and Jonathon were killed in a battle, and it was on the walls of Beit Shean (pictured below) that their bodies were hung before the Israelites rescued them in a daring night raid. It still boggles my mind that I have walked in the places of the Bible.  Now when Pastor Max shares these stories in his sermons, I get a huge grin on my face as I remember bring up these pictures and memories.  There is nothing like it and I give thanks to all who have made it possible for these kids and parents to experience it together.

-Holly (the returnee)(written today, about one of last Sunday's adventures)





Using the ancient latrines in Beit Shean ;)



Emily taking a picture of Gina's feat on the mosaic tiles of the 2000 year old street.



A view of the main thoroughfare and with the tel rising in the background.

On Wednesday June 28th, we went to the Garden of Gethsemane. The area of the garden we went to was a private section, so there were no other people, making it a much more peaceful and relaxing experience. Pastor Max did a little mini sermon on the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. He spoke about the spiritual struggle Jesus had when he prayed to God three different times asking if there was any other way he could save us without having to suffer the death of the cross. I thought that that was so amazing because it showed his human side. Yes he was Jesus, Son of God, but he was also human too and just knowing that even Jesus of all people struggled gives me hope and makes me feel that it is okay to struggle with your faith sometimes. Jesus ended by surrendering himself to God and his will, and that is what we all should do I believe. After the sermon the group broke apart and walked around the garden. The thick and beautiful olive wood trees were all over, and quite possibly could be part of the same family of trees from Jesus's times. There were various benches and stairs where people sat down and prayed or reflected on what Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. After walking the stone path I sat down on an old stone bench and prayed and felt an immense wave of peace, like everything going on in the world was on pause and it's just you and God. It was truly an amazing and awesome experience, and if you ever get the chance to go you definitely should.

- Noah Nelson

On Tuesday the 27th, the Israel team got to travel in the beautiful Judea Desert to a place called Genesis Land! This land is lavished with mountains, shepherds, tea, apricots, dates, and camels! The team got to ride camels and "travel back in time" to Abraham's tent. Abraham's tent had a deep gray tint and was surrounded with fabrics detailed with brown and pastel stripes. The floor was a fabricated floor detailed with a variety of shapes and colors like light tans and sapphire blues. We met a man who portrayed Abraham. He greeted us with the wonderful stories of the Bible. Abraham told us the story of how he left everything behind: his home and his family...though, he had great faith in God. God always guided Abraham and gave him the necessities he needs to survive. Abraham had incredible faith. He trusted God to protect him and make him the father of many nations. While Abraham told us all these great stories, we drank coffee and tea. After many laughs and smiles, we sadly had to end our journey with Abraham, and travel back home. Luckily we got to ride the camels back home. The view was phenomenal. It was filled with the great blue sky, and a land drowning in numerous tan colored mountains. The sun was hot on our skins, though we survived by the shade the small shop provided us at the end of our journey. This was such a wonderful experience and we could all see the beauty God painted for his children.

- Abby Kohls

I will be writing about Day 7 (Dead Sea), Day 8 (Ahava- Dead Sea Products), and Day 9 (Mount of Olives).

Mount of Olives (Mount of Ascension)(Day 9 - today): On this mountain we could see across the Kidron Valley, which is east of Jerusalem. This site was where Jesus ascended to Heaven and will descend from Heaven when he returns as it says in Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 14:4. There are many stories told here for example... When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) and when Jesus retired after celebrating the Passover with his disciples (Matthew 26:30). This story to me is key because it is where our father will return. As I was checking out the view I pictured the day Jesus will return and walk triumphantly through the Golden Gates. I also pictured the Dome of the Rock smashing to pieces and in its place the temple The Lord is going to build. For me the biggest and most spectacular piece is the fact that scripture comes to life and I am able to picture what has happened and what is yet to come.




Ahava Products (Day 8 AKA Yesterday)

Ahava (Dead Sea Mineral Products): As we entered into the Ahava store I was just having fun trying all the lotions and creams, which smelled so good! The boys of course were shopping for their wonderful mothers except for Ben and Elias who decided to take a tester bottle into the back which was considered the "spa room" and give foot massages. I walked back there and it was a funny sight to see. After that I went back into the store and saw our bus driver Adi and before I got off our bus I asked him, "would you like me to buy you anything?" He said, "sure!" Well I found a tester bottle and put some cream on a stick to give to him, but right before I had the chance to I was stopped to be interviewed about the Ahava products for a commercial being showed on British T.V.
I really just "winged it" (my mom was the one buying the products) and plus I had never been to this store. I just said, "oh it makes your skin feel and look wonderful, bright, and shiny." So now me and Nate (he was interviewed as well) are T.V. stars! Who knew we would come to Israel and become T.V. stars.

The Dead Sea - Day 7: We had the pleasure to to spend one night at a hotel by the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth, It is 50 miles long and 10 miles wide. Our guide said it was also 37% salt. This sea is also a constant reminder of where Sodom and Gomorrah used to stand. It is the worst tasting water ever! Another fun fact is that seven million tons of water per day is evaporated. Now that is crazy! We all got to experience the weird sensation of just floating which was awesome. There is also salt everywhere on the sand and forms into things like glass shards. The most beautiful sunrise happened on the Dead Sea, which is shown above. Getting up at 5:20am has it's perks.



- Lindsey Kauffman

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Yesterday we walked through Hezekiah's Tunnel. Most of us walked the wet route, where the water got as high as mid thigh. We brought flashlights, and a line of about 9 of us all turned off our flashlights and walked in the darkness. It was so amazing to walk in the darkness, where you can't see your feet. just feel the water as you take step after step along 1600 feet of cave, where you can't see what was in front, on the side, or above you, there was only black. In 2 Chronicles 32:2-4 and 2 Kings 20:20, we read that King Hezekiah of Judah dug the tunnel to protect the precious water source from the imminent Assyrian attack. The tunnel starts at the Gihon Springs, and flows to the pool of Siloam, where in John 9:1-12 Jesus heals the man born blind. The tunnel was a great sight to see, and I am excited to see more of Israel.

-Joshua Sperr

-6/28/2017

Ein Gedi (Spring of the wild goats)

 As we took a leap off the familiar tour bus, we entered what seemed to be the same old familiar land; smoldering hot sun baking the sandy path leading up a rocky slope. We had no idea what was in store for us. People crowded everywhere admiring the beautiful mountain goats and rushing up to the top. People who were coming down were extremely wet but with great smiles of joy. At the sight of the first spring, I honestly thought that was it, but as we inclined further, my breath was taken away. I did not think that Israel’s dusty desert could have such a magnificent sight. Stream after stream led to a waterfall that was a true blessing from God to our sweat dripping heads. After we had all gotten completely soaked from head to toe, I again thought our trip to Ein Gedi had come to an end. I was wrong. We preceded to take a path further up the rock. It led to one last luscious and tall waterfall. Although the sign said to stay behind the chain, Elias and I did not listen. To have the same experience as David when he hid from Saul, we felt that we needed to be one with nature and not let a man made obstacle ruin our fun. Ein Gedi was the perfect oasis in the midst of our hot Israeli adventures. Even though I was wet for the rest of the day, Ein Gedi was an amazing and unforgettable experience.

-LiLy HeRsHlEy

Today we got to leave bright and early (7:20 am) to make it to the Temple Mount before the crowds showed up. The Mount was cool to see but in all honesty I wouldn't need to go back. When we were there I felt completely unwanted and out of place. The workers and even the other people seemed to give off an aura that was of dislike.
The Temple Mount is one of the most religious sites for Muslims (now) and Jews (future) in the world. As of right now the Dome of the Rock sits a top the mount, and is where Muslims from all over come to pray as this is one of their most holy sites. With that being said we read in the Bible that one day the Lord will rebuild his temple right where the Dome of the Rock sits.
One of the things that stood out to me the most was how huge this mount was. Our tour guide compared it to football fields and claimed that it is as large as 12 of them, or "larger then the church grounds" said Pastor Max.
Even though I was not the biggest fan of the Temple Mount/Dome of the Rock, it is definitely something you need to see.



- Elias Uecker

Sunday, June 25th, 2017

At 5:45 am, over the mountain tops, soft shades of orange and yellow cover the sky. A bright light soon peaks out from the top and pours sunshine onto the earth as Archie Brallier, my mom (Angela Miller) and I (Gina Miller), stood at the shore of the Sea of Galilee looking for shells.
Though I am not big on waking up early, the best way to start "another perfect day in Israel", as our guide Eres would say every morning on the tour bus, was to be at the place where Jesus had walked, watch God paint the sky and feel the presence of the Lord.


In the morning it was really hot and continued to heat up throughout the day with the high being 110 degrees. Our first stop was the Roman city of Beit She'an where we saw all kinds of ruins of what used to be old buildings, temples and theaters. You could tell it was a Roman city because of the way it was. Just kidding. The architecture contained lots of arches, columns and mosaic roads.
The coolest part of visiting this site was when we got to climb Mount Gilboa. From the bottom looking up and considering how hot it was, I had no idea how we were going to climb all those steps, but we pushed through and were rewarded greatly. The view was breathtaking and helped bring the city we just walked together. It's really fun to have moments like this when things start to click in your brain and you can take what you've learned and have a real life picture to go along with it.



The next stop was the Jordan, the messier part of the Jordan. The water was drastically more foggy, dirty and smelly than we had witnessed the day before because it was farther along from the flow of the Sea of Galilee. From where we stood, we could see people on the other side of the river who were in the country of Jordan. The river was the boarder of the two countries.

Jericho was the next place we stopped at and we reflected on the story of when the devil tempted Jesus for 40 days and lead him to the highest point on the Mount of Temptation.
Shortly after we talked about the site, we were greeted by a young man who was selling Keffiyehs. He was clearly excited about his job and really hoping for new costumers. He wanted us to try them on so he began wrapping the scarf around my head, which caught me by surprise. Exclaiming how beautiful the scarf was, he insisted that I needed to get it. Lindsey Kauffman was his next potential customer so obviously he continued by wrapping a new scarf around her head and announced how nice it looked, then repeated the process with Archie. Bundled up in fancy scarves, we asked him how much they were and he gave us the price. We weren't convinced that we needed them so we politely didn't accept and tried to walk back to the bus. The guy insisted that we buy them and he even gave us a special price. We were still unsure but he didn't want us to leave empty handed. He leaned over before we walked away, looked up at the rest of his family who owned the market, looked back and whispered a better offer. To seal the deal we chatted with him for a bit. He was very pumped to find out we were from the United States because he explained to us that he used to live in Los Angeles and he was working to raise money to go back and visit. He was a believable 15 years old, however, told us his name was Michael Jackson. Laughing, we headed back to the bus. Before we could leave, Michael thanked us and told us if we spread the word to everyone one the bus, they could buy for a good price as well. A couple people from our group also bought one and he wrapped it around their heads for them just as he did for us. Finally, to thank us for the free advertisement, I think, he gave me and Lindsey mango smoothies on the house. Driving away with our new accessories we waved goodbye to Mr. Jackson and sipped our smoothies with big smiles.


Everyday and probably every meal in Israel, I've tried a new thing. As I walked into dinner, a few people were already there munching on exotic foods. Archie told me, whatever you get, you have to try the cow tongue. She insisted that is was really good and that I shouldn't be scared. Being brave and having Elias Uecker trying it with me, I scooped up a long and flat piece of meat thinking there was no way I would be able to eat it. We tried it as well as my mom and Kara Hershley ate it only to find out that it wasn't so bad after all. Besides the weird texture and that I couldn't get out of my head the realization that I just ate a tongue, it was pretty tasty.
I love how this trip has pushed me out of my comfort zone and that I am able to experience so many new things in the place where people from the bible had been long before me.

- Gina Miller

Gina was eager to write yesterday, but alas the keeper of the laptop fell asleep at 8pm and no one could find him (that would be me, Nate).

She will have the reins tonight, and perhaps another student or two!

I will briefly highlight yesterday's stops for you before breakfast and departure for the Dead Sea:

Tel Hazor, destroyed by Joshua 3200 years ago. Destroyed again by the Israelites later on, it would be rebuilt by Solomon along with Gezer and Megiddo. Archaeologists have found the burn layers carbon dated to that time, as well as pottery shards from pots that would have EXPLODED due to the intense heat of the conflagration. Like Meggido and Masada and many others, famed Israeli archaeologist Yigael Yadin lead this site.



Dan, part of a national park and abruptly pulling up at the Lebanon and Syrian border, reveals the incredible site of Abraham's Gate (or the Damascus Gate) through which the father of our faith CERTAINLY walked so many years ago.





Also in Dan we were able to sit in the gate where the local governors and perhaps the wicked king himself would have held sway during the reign of Ahab in Israel. If Elijah ever visited Dan, he would have walked these stones. And the name of King David was found in the stones Ahab used to build rebuild the walls, a profound discovery in its own right.



Caesarea Philippi was built by Herod the Great's son Philip the Tetrarch to honor Caesar, on the same site where the Greeks had worshiped their god of panic, the goat figured abomination Pan. Jesus is said to have neared the city in the Gospels, and outside have asked the disciples who they thought he was.



After an tasty lunch (humus, pita bread, salad, fries, olives, peppers, etc.) in one of the four Druze villages in the Golan we made our way to Gamla, the defiant Jewish settlement which fell to the Romans under Vespasian in 67AD (the future emperor at the end of 69AD). Josephus records that, once the walls were breached and the end seemed near, 5,000 Jewish men, women, and children cast themselves from the peak pictured below rather then taste slavery.



AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR DAY - half our group was baptized in the River Jordan, truly a watershed experience in the life of any follower of Christ. I'm hoping Gina will share about this more, so just a teaser...

To GOD, land is important.

He makes covenants with His people involving land and their offspring (Abraham).

He gives them the land He has promised (Joshua, Caleb, etc).

He tells them to build altars of remembrance (Jacob, Joshua, etc.).

He exiles them from land (the Prophets).

He brings them back to land from which he exiles them (the Prophets again).

He calls them from the bountiful, lush land of Bethsaida, reminiscent to first century Jews of the lush Nile Delta of Egypt, and speaks to them in groups of 50 and 100 in the desert hills North of the Sea of Galilee as he feeds them miraculously, hearkening their hearts and ours, to Moses.

This.is.an.endless.list.

But land is not significant outside of its connection to His people, both of the old covenant (the Jews) and the new (the gentiles AKA everyone else). And the LORD loves to speak to His people in places on this earth that call to mind moments where He has been faithful to them. Ever has and always shall He speak this way.

It was near this place on the Sea of Galilee pictured above (accounting for change in the water level and the general vagaries of history) that Jesus first called some of his disciples, the young bumbling, passionate, and endearing Peter among them (see Matthew 4 and Luke 5).

And it would have also been on this spot that Jesus (in John 21), the Risen LORD, Champion over Sin AND Death, Kicker-of-Sufferings-Teeth, Son of GOD and Son of Man, forgiver of sins, would have revealed Himself again to the discouraged and broken young men who had returned to their nets... would have appeared unrecognizable to their sorrowful eyes... and they would have obeyed as this stranger urged them to put down into the Sea of Galilee those same nets they had abandoned years before to follow Him... and seen those nets filled with fish once again...

... and they shared anxious, excited glances as they rowed back to shore, and "something burned within them" as they ate around that fire, a fire I would most like to have been at with this strange wanderer, but they couldn't.put.a.finger on it.

But THERE on the shore as the stranger began to speak while they ate the fish he had prepared, there where He had first called them did it dawn dawn on those materially poor, young, discouraged, leaderless fisherman in a country oppressed by cruel Rome, destined to die humbly for their King, THERE... 

Jesus looked upon Peter, flawed and the dearer for those flaws, Peter, and asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" And three times was Peter asked, and I'll wager through tears many and glad did he answer each time... and there was he restored to the endless love of a Good Father through the grace of His matchless Son, Jesus Christ.

For we serve a perfect GOD, who sacrificed for us His only Son, a sacrificial length to which this newly minted father cannot fathom nor dream of deserving.

You see, Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. I was lost.

To a humanity in need of rescue (a truth no optimist can escape), He who would claim to be GOD on this earth need be interested in and master of rescue and redemption.

For Peter, and for the worst of sinners, and for me, JESUS. IS.

"Man looks upon man and says, "You are who you are." Jesus looks upon man and says, "You are not who you are, but who you may become." - A.W. Tozer

Today we visited Mount Arbel, the Jesus Boat, the Sea of Galilee, a Talmudic Village, Capernaum, Peter's Primacy, and the Mount of Beatitudes. We'd have to say that Peter's Primacy was our favorite place to visit. It was super cool to hear the story of Jesus asking Peter 3 times if he loved him, and when Peter wasn't able to love Jesus the way Jesus loves us, he still loved Peter the same.

Gina Miller with heart shaped stones at Peter's Primacy

Chapel at Peter's Primacy

For lunch we ate some of Saint Peter's fish. The restaurant was owned by a fisherman who came from a family of fisherman. He was very funny, and said he was beautiful, just like his mother. Since we had the opportunity, we would try fish eyes for the first time. This then lead to eating the fish brain as well! To our surprise, it tasted alright, the brain specifically tasting like slimy butter.

A picture of the fish we were served

Archie Brallier kissing the remains of her fish. This was taken before we pried the brains out of its skull...

Written by: Archie Brallier and Ben Ruhr

End of Day 3

     Day three on our trip, or day two here in Israel, has been so exciting. I think we have all come off of being jet-legged, so we've better been able to enjoy the places we've visited and understand better what we've been learning. It has been so cool going to each sight and having Pastor Max teach us about how what happened in the bible, happened right where we were standing.

We went to four sights today:
     Caesarea was our first stop. This is a picture of where horse-races and gladiator games occurred. Off to the far left is the Mediterranean Sea where those of us who didn't go swimming this morning, had a chance to dip our toes into the water. This is a sight where Pontius Pilate and Paul both stepped foot before us.


     Our second stop was Meggido. This city had a hidden spring where they had to chisel out an impressive amount of rock in order to keep the spring from becoming known by their enemies. Meggido is also where we had falafels for lunch.


     Our third stop was Mount Carmel. Here is a view from the top looking down at the Kishon Valley. This was my favorite spot of the day because this is where the Bible really seemed to come to life for me. As Max read 1 Kings 18, I was able to see what kind of rocks Elijah used for the alter, where the water came from for drenching the alter and how far of a climb it was from the bottom.


     Our last stop was Zippori. Here is a spot where Jesus most likely walked.  This is a photo of one of the mosaic floors found there.


     Tonight we are staying in a hotel right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was beautiful watching the sunset along the hills around the sea. Continued prayers are welcome for health. Thank you for following us along on our journey!

Written by Emily Lindberg

"In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles."
- matchless visionary and first Israeli Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion

Our sage guide Eres shared the above quote with us last night as we arrived in Netanya. He has three small children and a newborn girl at home. I will post pictures of him and Adi (our good humored and fiercely capable driver) by way of introduction soon!

Like Israel herself and so many of her cities that have sprung from the neglected desert sands, Netanya begun with 5 pioneers digging a well in December '28 and was the first newly designated city of the newborn state of Israel 20 years later (then 9,000 people lived there), and now is home to nearly 2 million.

With the sun rising at our backs, a few of us watched it brushed the clouds with a kiss this morning at 5:34AM above the Mediterranean. The water was warm and jellyfish abounded as we made the most of our morning on the sea. Now to breakfast and Caesarea!

 Sun rising behind us...

 (Right to left) Sara, Linda, Nate, Stacy, Mary, Archie, Lily, Ben, Elijah, Elias, Roger, Payton

 Gina jumping in at the last minute rather than missing out on her chance to cross it off her bucket list! #SoProudOfThatGirl

Coastline view to the south

Day one (and a half)

After Mark Peterson dropped us off at the airport, we had a short flight to Chicago before the 8 hour trip across the pond. Here, Pastor Max, Gina Miller, and Myself can be seen on the first flight. Altogether it took us about 24 ½ hours to get from BCC to Tel Aviv. All things considered, it was a smooth trip until we got over Israel when we got some turbulence but it was all fun and nothing too serious. Once through customs it was smooth sailing. Immediately upon breaking free of the lines of travelers we jumped on a bus and headed for Jaffa, which is about 30 minutes south of the Tel Aviv airport indeed, Tel Aviv was once a suburb of Jaffa, but I digress. Our group got to see some pretty awesome stuff including but not limited to, the house of Simon the Tanner (according to tradition), lots of old buildings and walkways, an excavation site of old Joppa, and many feral cats, Nate instructed us to not touch. I have tried to include the highlights below.

Some of the crew catch some sleep in Madrid

Just after getting off the bus in Jaffa

 

Downtown Tel Aviv from the top of Tel Jaffa

Dig site at Tel Jaffa (the stone arch is a replica of one they found with Pharaoh Ramses the 2nd’s name on it)

Some cat

View of the Mediterranean Sea from Jaffa

Written by Elijah Gust

All pictures by Elijah Gust