Golan Heights Magic-history, nature, Zionism and – good food
Even the inclement weather did not stop us-we started our trip at Hood observation point, overlooking at the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and The Syrian-African Rift Valley, we went on to the boulders station along the Eli Cohen trail at The Golan Heights. There we met a group without a guide (?!) Who joined my guidance at the site. We went on to the amazing synagogue at ‘Ein Kshatot, known in Arabic as ‘Umm el Kanatir. The impressive synagogue is built in local basalt stone. The basilica structure contains impressive stone carvings, made on the hard basalt stone, distinctive Jewish symbols such as the Temple lamp-Menorah, four species and a coal pan-sacred vessel from the temple. We went on and explored the secret of wealth of the ancient community which established such an elegant and so special synagogue. At the Nov Nature Reserve we saw carpets of daffodils deployed on fields stretching to the horizon…We stopped at ‘Ait Water Falls where we also saw columns of basalt-a phenomenon similar to what appeared to be at the Hexagonal Pools. We finished our day with a great lunch at the Bell ‘Ofri wonderful restaurant. We ended the day, just before sunset, in front of a statue, sculptured by Yuval Lupan, commemorating Nadia Cohen and her three children who are still waiting for the return of Eli Cohen, “Our Man in Damascus”. An exceptional story of boundless loyalty to the homeland, covert operations carried out by Eli Cohen and helped greatly to The State of Israel and tragic ending on the gallows in the town square in Damascus.
Thanks to Gila and Lida for the beautiful pictures.