by Steve Kramer
How many of you have donated clothes and other items
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to the Esra Second Hand shop? But do you ever think about what happens once the clothes have left your home? Steve Kramer takes us through the fascinating process and reminds us that all the money earned goes towards ESRA's wonderful projects.
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by Steve Kramer
Perhaps the most outstanding event in Jerusalem every
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July is the Jerusalem Film Festival, organized by the Jerusalem Cinematheque. More than 150 films were presented at the last ten day festival.
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by Steve Kramer
One of the impressive displays of this new exhibit
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at the Jerusalem Bible Lands Museum are original artifacts, clay tablets in cuneiform dating from 586 BC, giving a picture of the daily life of the exiles. ".. a wonderful way to understand what made the Jewish nation so enduring…" writes Steve Kramer.
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by Steve Kramer
The Ariel Sharon Park, almost 2,000 acres of reclaimed
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land in the Gush Dan area is an eye opener. This former garbage dump has been reinvented by Prof. Peter Latz, a famous German architect. The 61 meter high mountain where truckloads of household waste are processed daily is now a huge attraction.
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by Steve Kramer
Steve Kramer describes ESRA's winter hike in the Lower
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Galilee region near Tiberias. The weather, the views, and the fun and challenge of criss-crossing the Arbel stream on foot made it an unforgettable experience.
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by Steve Kramer
The ESRA Hiking Club recently ventured south to the
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hills of the northern Negev for a fascinating and beautiful tour in the area around the Yeruham park and its man-made lake. They hiked the hills and learned how the Negev is becoming a significant factor in modern Israel
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by Steve Kramer
The hiking group sets off from the coastal plain and
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into the Carmel highlands inland from Zichron Yaakov, a particularly scenic route. The first stop is at Bat Shlomo east of Zichron, and a stop at the stone house and museum of the Shwartzman family, who for 4 generations have been farming in the original manner of their grandfathers. The group climbs Mount Horshan, which has a rather weak spring, Ein Tut. The hike eventually ends at Nahal Taninim, which presumably once had crocodiles.
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by Steve Kramer
Steve describes a fascinating trip to old Peki'in in
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the Upper Galilee, as well as a tour through the colorful city of Akko
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by Steve Kramer
Interesting account, together with statistics and birth
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rate information (one of the highest in the world) of the Bedouin culture. Originally these nomadic Arab tribes lived in desert regions and now are actual land owners.
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by Steve Kramer
James Snyder, a specialist in museum design from the
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States, was head hunted to head the rejuvenation of the Israel Museum which reinforces the original amazing architecture whilst doubling the gallery space and giving clarity to the huge collection.
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by Steve Kramer
Extended whirlwind tour of southeastern America included
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plans to contact synagogues along the way. Finding home hospitality for Shabbat dinner proved complex but Oneg Shabbat after services was very pleasant. The trip included sites of historical Jewish interest.
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by Steve Kramer
Ramla, founded in the 8th century, is the only Arab
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city in Israel that was once a Muslim capital. It is a fascinating city to visit. Its 65,000 population is roughly 80% Jewish, 20% Arab. The world’s largest Karaite community lives there. The city is developing its tourism sites and its economy. New shopping malls and public parks have been built, a municipal museum opened in 2001 and its White Tower minaret is a candidate for inclusion on the United Nations World Heritage list.
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by Steve Kramer
Adjacent to David’s citadel archeologists have been
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working - a wall from David and Solomon’s times, the first Herodian Palace, Crusader Arches, and 19th century Ottoman built barracks are some of the buildings on this site. Steve Kramer visited this site that is not generally accessible to tourists - he describes many of the historical events that occurred in the vicinity. Sadly lack of funds is preventing further excavation of this historical site.
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by Steve Kramer
Safed is the second most holy city in Israel. Ascent
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is the Chabad center in the city, it serves as a yeshiva, hostel and retreat, and Steve Kramer writes that to be there for a Shabbat was a unique experience. The weekend included lectures, a guided walk through the old city and a wonderful Friday night meal with a local family.
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by Steve Kramer
What a variety of things were seen in this 10m kilometer
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ESRA walk along the underdeveloped beach in northern Israel. Archeological excavation, crusader remains, Atlit military camp, now a museum. Nature’s presence was everywhere including unique sand stone ridges, turtles who nest on the beach and wonderful fields of purple thyme.
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Steve Kramer