We were awake at cock's crow again, with some of us watching the sunrise over the sea of Galilee.
Tour of Nof Ginosar Kibbutz
First thing, after an incredible choice at breakfast, was a walk around Nof Ginosar kibbutz (Gannesaret), with guide, Adva, ( which means a ripple of water). Adva was born and grew up on the kibbutz, during what she described as 'the old days', as distinct from 'the new days'.
In 1937, the kibbutz started in Migdal(tower), 5 miles further inland, and this shoreline was swamp and rock. Pioneer agriculturalist's families settled in shacks, having fenced, and built a watch tower. Security was important to look after their water rights. River gum trees were planted and land reclaimed.
There were many different kibbutzim, right wing, and left wing. This one was non-religious and leftist, and had the vision of equality - "put as much into the day as you can, and at the end of the day, you will all get the same". Profits went back into the kibbutz. Everything was provided, electricity; water; meals, ( cooked in a central diningroom); an approximately 55square metre home; nurseries; schools; libraries; social events on Shabbat rest days; an infirmary, and regular medical clinics.
Adva showed us all these through her family's eyes, describing how she felt as a child, a young adult, and a mother.
Women did the same work as men, their babies' going to nursery at 6 weeks, (with "love hours" for breast feeding mothers). "Quality time", as we call it at home,was enjoyed from 4.30 on working days when children went home until bedtime. Her memories were of walks, stories, and no TV.
In the old days the climate was cooler, and they produced nuts and fruit, and sold them all over Israel. This expanded with the Hotel. Then came "the new days! "
Changes - children living with parents, members getting outside jobs, (with personal bank accounts, but still contributing to the kibbutz ), costly housing, education, the discovery of the Jesus Boat in 1986, and privatization in the nineties. Drought has added to financial loss. The lake was last up in 1991 and they 'pray for rain'. Adva emphasized that people have stuck together in the bad times, and good.
We saw bomb shelters where they slept during the Six Day War in 1967, and watched young children play in school playground. Her experience was shared by many, growing up in a community of approx 500, including 200 children! Going to high school at a Jordan Valley secondary school for senior years; working for a while before traveling overseas, after 3 years in IDF.
She shared so much with us, as Hotel guests, of the gift of nature and tranquility that blessed those living at Nof Ginnosar.
As we walked around the Kibbutz, high overhead to the east, was a fighter jet doing reconnaissance loops around Golan heights to the east, and leaving a puffy white plume. This brought us back to the reality that despite the apparent harmonious communities of Arabs and Israelis up here in Galilee, threat is not far away. In fact Syria is only 60 km from us.
On the sea of Galilee and the inspection of the "Jesus Boat".
We set off mid morning on The wooden boat named" Mark". The Australian flag joined the Israeli flag at the prow, as we joined singing "Advance Australia Fair ". We had the unreal experience of seeing through Jesus' eyes as we read from the Gospels about their exploits on the lake, the calming of the storm and Peter walking on the water at the bidding of Jesus.
One of the crew cast a fishing net upon the sea similar to those which fishermen used in the first century. Of course he caught nothing, even though he tried it on the other side as well. They then taught us Israeli dancing on the deck to Hava Nagila. It was liberating!
Back on shore, we looked at the "Jesus boat" in the museum. This was discovered in 1986 when the lake receded in a drought, thus exposing some of the timbers which were remarkably preserved in mud. The very technical exercise of raising it and preserving it took some years, but now the ancient structure is stabilized and in the Alon Museum on the shore. Ken recommended the rest of the museum (which not all of us saw) with its beautiful views from the tower.
All afternoon was much needed free time.
We ended the day with our own brief service before another magnificent meal before retiring after a welcome restful day.
Photos: A house on the Kibbutz (residents discovered the 'Jesus' boat); Kibbutz view; Old Kibbutz dining room; The bomb shelter; On the boat on the Lake; Phil reading the Scriptures; Casting the fishing net; Where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount; Hava Nagila - dancing & clapping; Ivan & Janet; The Jesus Boat; Alison having a dip in the Sea of Galilee; Jim returns from his latest challenge - swimming to the buoy and back!; A boat like ours on Galilee.
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