The grapes on the vines are deep purple and delicious to pluck and eat. But these juicy perfectly round Concord grapes that we grow in our own tiny vineyard in Israel are meant to be turned into wine. First we carefully clip the bunches of grapes from the vine. We gather them and wash the grapes many times – which may ruin the musk but we feel is essential anyway. Now the fun part: bring in those little feet.
Two pairs of dainty feet get a good scrubbing. And the stomping begins. It actually is harder work than it looks and the little girls work hard smashing those grapes so there will be sweet preservative-free grape juice for the Sabbath.
Grapes are harvested in Israel from August to September, and then the wine making process begins. In these photos and short film, we feature a teeny tiny boutique winery in Rehovot. This year’s grapes yielded two bottles of pure heavenly Concord grape juice.
If you visit Israel in late August or September, you can join a wine making workshop and create your own label!
If you are lucky enough to be visiting Israel these days, and even luckier to be in Jerusalem on Friday morning, Oct. 23, you may want to get over to the Tower of David in the Old City. A production of the Italian opera, The Servant Mistress (La Serva Padrona), composed by Giovanni Pergolesi and Giovanni Paisiello will be performed at 10:30AM (yes, in the morning).
Performed by singers from the Aeterna Opera Theater conducted by Ilya Plotkin and accompanied by string ensemble. It includes a tour of “Italy in Jerusalem” , a panoramic view of the buildings constructed at the end of the 19th century, the alley ways of the Christian Quarter and a guided tour of the Monastery San Salvadore of the Franciscan Order.
Catch this award winning English language theater production in Tel Aviv: Chaim’s Love Song, A Jewish American Comedy. Opening night is on October 20, 2009, at 8:30 PM. The play will be staged on Oct 21, 22, 24, 25, at Beit Lessin, Tel Aviv.
Performed by the Tel Aviv Community Theater, TACT, a semi-professional theater group was formed by new immigrants to Israel over 50 years ago. In addition to staging full-scale productions, over the years TACT has organized tap dancing workshops, as well as musical and drama workshops.
Negev of the north?Clouds dot the sky and finally the first rains have fallen, yet this is a superb season to visit Israel.
Consider a vacation in the mild climate of the Jezre’el Valley, the Negev of the north!
Do? Archeology, Swim, Art…
Blessed with summery winter weather, and very little rain, now is the season to explore Beit Alpha, Beit Shean, swim in the year-round warm waters of Gan Sachne, and visit the Paris-like art museum at Ein Harod.
Stay? European, Morroccan,Templar…
We found the most charming European-style inn with only 8 rooms – each with a window seat overlooking verdant views, a white duvet covered bed, spacious rainhead shower stall or jacuzzi tub in the roomy bathroom.
If there is no room at the inn, Morroccan style suites, each with a private outdoor hot-tub for two, is the place to be.
Closer to Nazereth, this historic Templar structure is now a colorful B&B suite inn packed with ambience.
Relax in a boutique spa hotel located in a pine forest. Reminiscent of a Tuscan manor, this adults-only 26-suite hotel is well-located for exploring the Galilee as well as indulging in spa treatments.
Contact the friendly & knowledgeable Israel experts at Drive-Israel.com to include that extra dimension in your trip the next time you visit Israel.
The baby’s crib is unique. On display at the Museum of Circassian Culture, the infant bed has a hole in the bottom and two straps to swaddle the infant.
Did you know?
Circassians, serving as warriors under the Ottoman Empire, came to the Holy Land in the 1870s at the behest of the Turkish sultan.
Circassians are fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, English and Circassian.
Approximately 3000 Circassians live in Israel and are citizens.
Circassians serve in the Israel Armed Forces.
Tourists and visitors are welcome in Circassian villages.
To arrange your visit and guided tour of a Circassian village in the Galilee, contact Drive-Israel.com
Relax in a boutique spa hotel located in a pine forest. Reminiscent of a Tuscan manor, this adults-only 26-suite hotel is well-located for exploring the Galilee as well as indulging in spa treatments.
ContactDrive-Israel.com to include that extra dimension in your trip the next time you visit Israel.
A recent visit to the Cloisters in New York made this hike to the Crusader fortress of Monfort in the Western Galilee all the more meaningful. Imagine — those knights in shining armor lying still and poised at the Cloisters once climbed these same rocks to Monfort. Within eyesight of the Mediterrean coast, it is easy to see the route taken by the Holyland soldiers in the 1200s, from the port of Acco (Acre) to the inland mountains.
Most of you call this vacation, but for me, an overnight in a luxury B&B is another day at work. My significant other and I set out at midday to explore the Galillee so that I can let you in on the must-dos in Israel.
In the mountains off the coast of Achziv and Rosh HaNikra lies the perfect Provencal inn, complete with spa facilities and a swimming pool. If G-d is in the details, then this chateau is filled with the Holy Spirit: from the fragrant L’Occitane bathtub favors to the basket of lavender potpourri in the 4-postered bedroom, one feels compelled to unwind.
A short distance away in a perfect country setting we found Arnold’s, a new chef restaruant (kosher) with a menu featuring Galilee products like the delicatibly delicious lamb osso buco.
In the Western Galilee you can hike to the Crusader fortress of Monfort, beachcomb the dramatic shoreline of Achziv, and kayak the caves and grottoes of Rosh HaNikra.
The doors are open and you are welcome to visit the commnity of the Sisters of Bethlehem, located on Rte 38, just past Beit Shemesh.
Look for a small sign on the right side of the road, showing a left turn. Turn left and drive up a dirt road with olive trees on either side – reminiscent of Tuscany. All the way at the top, you will find two Christian communities: the Convent of the Sisters of Bethlehem established by Trappist nuns, and the Beit Jimal Monastery built by Salesian monks in 1881. Entrance to both communities is open to the public. There is video on the life of this silent order of nuns, and you can see their prayer room when you climb to the top of the building. In the small adjacent shop, ceramics and pottery made by the nuns are on sale, as well as convent- and monastery-produced olive oil.
Meet artists in their studios on Friday and Saturday, Oct 23-24, 2009, from 10 to 5 PM, in the Ella Valley, 45 minutes south of Jerusalem.
Artists work in various media including leather, glass, wood, paper, metal – and create fashion accessories, wall hangings, jewelry, shoes and footwear, hand bags.
The studios are located on small agricultural villages: Srigim-Lion, Givat Yeshayahu, and Zafririm – all on Rte 38 south of Beit Shemesh.
The grapes on the vines are deep purple and delicious to pluck and eat. But these juicy perfectly round Concord grapes that we grow in our own tiny vineyard in Israel are meant to be turned into wine. First we carefully clip the bunches of grapes from the vine. We gather them and wash the grapes many times – which may ruin the musk but we feel is essential anyway. Now the fun part: bring in those little feet.
waters of Gan Sachne
The baby’s crib is unique. On display at the Museum of Circassian Culture, the infant bed has a hole in the bottom and two straps to swaddle the infant. 
To arrange your visit and guided tour of a Circassian village in the Galilee, 
Most of you call this 
In the mountains off the coast of Achziv and Rosh HaNikra lies the perfect Provencal inn, complete with spa facilities and a swimming pool. If G-d is in the details, then this chateau is filled with the Holy Spirit: from the fragrant L’Occitane bathtub favors to the basket of lavender potpourri in the 4-postered bedroom, one feels compelled to unwind.
A short distance away in a perfect country setting we found Arnold’s, a new chef restaruant (kosher) with a menu featuring Galilee products like the delicatibly delicious lamb 
In the Western Galilee you can hike to the Crusader fortress of Monfort, beachcomb the dramatic shoreline of Achziv, and kayak the caves and grottoes of Rosh HaNikra.
The doors are open and you are welcome to visit the commnity of the Sisters of Bethlehem, located on Rte 38, just past Beit Shemesh.
Meet artists in their studios on Friday and Saturday, Oct 23-24, 2009, from 10 to 5 PM, in the Ella Valley, 45 minutes south of Jerusalem.
create fashion accessories, wall hangings, jewelry, shoes and footwear, hand bags.