Israel 2001 Photos

Bet Alfa Photos

Background: In 1928 members of kibbutzim Bet Alfa and Hefzi-Bah discovered the ruins of a synagogue dating from the sixth century AD. While known as the Bet-Alfa Synagogue National Park, it is located in Kibbutz Hefzi-Bah at the foot of Mount Gilboa. Excavations were undertaken in 1929. Further buildings were found in an exploratory dig in 1962. Gilboa is a range of mountains in the territory of Issachar. It was the scene of Saul's last clash with the Philistines (1 Samuel 28.4; 31.1ff), and so receives mention in David's lament for Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1.21

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Mosaic floor, synagogue, Bet Alfa.
Mount Gilboa behind Kibbutz Hefzi-Bah.

Cool clear pool at Sachne (Gan HaShlosha) Roadside view of an Israeli irrigation system.

Another view of the Israeli irrigation system (taken on our way back from the Dead Sea!).