Abbie Rosenbaum Tour Guide

11/11/2024

And if visiting the Jerusalem corridor (the approach through the mountains from the west) hit one of these maayanot: a natural spring that drains into a pool. Even if it's not swimming weather just this moment, there's nothing more Israeli than a cup of fresh brewed coffee I'm nature.

Pics 1 and 2 are at Ein Lavan. Easily reached following waze through Gilo.
Pics 3+4 Ein U*i. This one is trickier. Waze brings you to a road near Hadassa Ein Karem. Park and scramble up the steep red marked path to these fantastic pools.

22/10/2024

Happy sukkot!
Tomorrow is the the last day that we will be performing what may be the strangest mitzvah in the Torah... banding together the palm, willow branches, myrtle branches and etrog, making bracha and waving them. Work on the hadassim Began months ago. We got lots of time preparing the hadasim this year, due to the lack of school for some and lack or tourists for others.

22/10/2024

05/09/2024

What I am doing without tourists?
Mostly this And looking forward to doing more of it.
This is a specialty project in . This pottery furnace was recently discovered, so I am excavting it according to the plans of other furnaces. Its a tricky space to work in, and frankly I have sore muscles from working in akward positions (NOT pictured here). I like to see that Im literally laughing in this picture. Did someone make a joke? I didn't notice anyone taking that photograph.

02/09/2024

Hope and Resilience

I've been struggling to get through these days.
We all have. The news of 6 hostages being executed in cold blood was crushing for all of Israel. But how should we react? With determination and unity. The challenges Israel faces are existential, and there is no one clear-cut solution to ensure Israel's security, deter its enemies, and bring back the hostages. We need to do all of these things. We need to achieve the impossible. Let's remember that who are enemies are and stand united against them. Today, the Golan Regional Council held a rally in Gamla, its traditional rallying point.

In the distance, the ancient town of Gamla that fell to the Romans 2000 years ago and is now back in Jewish hands.
The beautiful white squill blooms. Rejuvenation doesn't always take 2000 years, and it is part of nature's cycle. The sun will set and the sun will rise. The summer will pass and the rains will come, and life will continue

28/07/2024

Majdal Shams, from near and from far, from better days to tragedy. This town, nestled on the lower southern slope of the Hermon Mountain Range, is such an integral part of the Golan landscape.
All of the Golan and all of Israel are deeply pained by this horrible tragedy. The killing of 12 innocent children followed by Hezbolla's denial of all wrongdoing. This should never have happened! This must stop now!
ה' יקם דמם

14/06/2024

Focus on the right here and right now
To enjoy a few minutes of peace.

Anything can be startled in the blink of an eye

10/06/2024

These two swimming holes are THE place to be. Ein Shokek and Nachal Hakibutzim, both located in Park Hamaayanot, offer some of the clearest water in one of Israel's hottest locations. It was my privilege to accompany these high school seniors to their last school activity.
! Biring on

30/05/2024

When the temperatures go up, we look for new ways to cool off. This was my first visit to the Gidonq forest with a stream running through it.

26/05/2024

The joy of a simple water trail on a hot day. The Yehudiya is a great one.

22/04/2024

Just before the holiday.
Every year, the Lefell School of Westchester takes its 8th graders on a whirlwind trip to Israel. These young teens come to strengthen their connection to Israel, visit the places they learn about in texts and history books, and create memories to last a lifetime. 2024 was different, but these very special students still made it and had some incredible experiences. The focus of this trip also included volunteering, supporting Israeies who need it most, and learning all about following Home Front Command Instructions.
As for me, it was a real treat. Travel restrictions meant spending more time in places I dont normally get to. Volunteering meant lending a hand, my comfort zone. Spensing two weeks with this school meant meeting and guiding 60 energetic and curious students, who kept me on my toes along with their dedicated staff. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. I certainly made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

27/03/2024

Inspired by the beauty of a Golan Iris
And a good friend to appreciate and with whom.to appreciate.

🇮🇱

21/03/2024

Happy First Day of Spring

21/03/2024

Volunteering. Something amazing in Israeli culture: when there is a need everyone wants to lend a hand. Since the begining of the war on Oct 7, there have been so many needs to fill: soldiers at the fronts and businesses without workers, evacuees far from their homes. Without work I was suddenly available to pitch in. At the begining we washed laundry from local bases, organized towels, toiletries and chargers for people who ran out to serve, cooked meals for troops stationed on our moshav and shabbat meals for soldiers who were eating military rations all week. As the logistics caught up with the army we turned to supporting bereaved families, displaced families and families who became single parented overnight. The one activity that weve been doing since day 2? Volunteering on farms. There are still arent enough workers to fill all the need so schools, families, business are still pitching in. As an unemployed tour guide I often go by myself for a day or a few hours, close to home or far to do what I can
And every time I am amazed at who I meet: old people, young people, unemployed people, high tech companies, soldiers, teens, schools... anyone who has a few hours to give is working the land. This experince has been, and continues to be, inspiring and uplifting

20/03/2024

Some reflections of Haifa and some reflections in Haifa and a motorcyclist who drove into my reflection.

I headed off to Haifa on errands and used the opportunity to rethink my downtown tour. The Haifa classic are the Bahai gardens and the view of the sea from Stella Maris. But Haifa has so much more. Its a city of contrasts and culture. The Lower city is the site of Haifs port, import businesses, galleries and students. It has a charm and flavor that is uniquely Haifa.
I came away with some gems. Now I need some tourists.

18/03/2024

I am grateful to have this time without tourism to learn and do farming work
Yesterday was a.second day dedicated to getting to know the lower Jordan Valley a bit better. This region, north of the Dead Sea in the Syrian African rift is remote and hot and doesnt get too much tourist attention. But it has a charm and beauty of its own. Thank you Ido Heruty for introducing us to some of its gems including the Oren Aragon farm, Bikat Hayarden Research and Development Center, Rujum Abu Muchier, the Herodian Pool and the beautiful Phasael springs.

12/03/2024

Overwhelming and simple beauty. Highway 98 at rhus point is the windiest road in Israel, leading from the Golan Heights down to Hamat Gader along the Jordanian border. This year, the bright yellow of the crown daisy dominates the spring landscape.

🌼 🇮🇱

11/03/2024

Ignoring all the other sounds and voices around and just bringing the beauty of Israel....

Meitsar Gorge: this one is a bit off the beatem path in the Golan, but quite close to my home. I have hiked there so many times but had never seen the waterfall, which only flows when theres lots of good winter rain, and sometimes the trail is so overgrown, its unfindable. But i decided that with all of.my free time this year, it was Meitsar waterfall or bust. And thanks to my partner in crime Tali Chamiel Tali Chamiel , it wasnt a bust. The strong colors of the Golan in winter really do make it Israel's most beautiful region.