After Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E., the sages wandered north to Galilee. Following in their footsteps, we embark on a journey into the foundations of the Jewish faith and the rabbis who paved the way with wisdom and sacrifice.
Our travels north for guests wanting to take a Jewish journey follow a path taken some 1,800 years ago, when the Jewish community of Judea began to migrate north to Galilee following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
This theme of migration, resilience, and a community needing to reestablish itself has been present throughout Jewish life over the past 2,000 years. This is one of our favorite routes to explore, as the years following Jerusalem’s destruction were among the most important for the codification of Jewish texts such as the Mishnah and Talmud.
Day 1 — Lower Galilee
This trip takes in the wonderful Jewish sites of Lower Galilee on day one, leaving Tel Aviv for Beit Shearim National Park, home to the ancient necropolis and connected to the great Rabbi Judah the Prince.
From here, we continue up the hill to appreciate the lookout over the Jezreel Valley and a monument honoring Alexander Zaid, whose story connects us to the beginnings of the Jewish community in Galilee in the modern period.
After a lunch break, at a winery, we make our way to Zippori National Park, an exquisite site that welcomes us into the ancient capital of Galilee. Home to remarkable mosaics and the secrets revealed in the House of Dionysus, our day weaves together narratives and legends of Jewish life in ancient days and modern times alike.
From here, we continue to the charming town of Rosh Pina for a scenic lookout before checking in to our lodging for the evening.
Day 2 — Rosh Pina, Safed & Pekiin
Day two begins with a walking tour around Rosh Pina, where the story of Jewish revival in the modern period is central to the character and resilience of both the town and the tour itself.
From here, we continue to the hilltop town of Safed for a guided tour through this wonderland of Kabbalah, art, and mysticism. With galleries to explore, rooftops to visit, and some of our favorite synagogues to enjoy, Safed is truly a spectacle of Jewish Galilee and the heart of the north.
Included in your tour is an in-depth visit with one of our favorite artists, who welcomes us into their studio and offers an educational and mystical lesson that reveals the more esoteric side of Jewish teaching.
Some of our favorites include Sheva Chaya’s glassblowing workshop, Avraham Lowenthal’s colorful mystical experience, and David Friedman’s exploration of the numerology of Kabbalah.
Each experience is unique and allows our visit to go deeper into Jewish life, creativity, and community in Galilee.
For our final stop of the day, we head to the wonderful Druze village of Pekiin, where we may have the truly special opportunity to meet Margalit, the last Jewish resident of what has become a Druze village. The Zenati House, the ancient synagogue across the street, and the newly renovated visitor center make this a rare off-the-beaten-path gem in our Jewish journey across Galilee.
