The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/aviva-and-shmuel-bar-am/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:30:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Aviva and Shmuel Bar-Am | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/aviva-and-shmuel-bar-am/ 32 32 Come see the archaeological treasures of the Mirsham Farmhouse, buried for 2,600 years https://www.timesofisrael.com/come-see-the-archaeological-treasures-of-the-mirsham-farmhouse-buried-for-2600-years/ Sat, 28 Dec 2024 05:53:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3446784 A little to the north of Beersheba lies a First Temple-era site whose artifacts have only recently begun to be excavated

The post Come see the archaeological treasures of the Mirsham Farmhouse, buried for 2,600 years appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> These young people from the Diaspora felt the call after Oct. 7 and joined the IDF https://www.timesofisrael.com/these-young-people-from-the-diaspora-felt-the-call-after-oct-7-and-joined-the-idf/ Sat, 23 Nov 2024 05:46:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3424929 Jumping to action after the Hamas onslaught, people aged 18-23 have joined the Tzofim Garin Tzabar program in droves, getting help immigrating on their own and joining the military

The post These young people from the Diaspora felt the call after Oct. 7 and joined the IDF appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> View ancient treasures at Jerusalem’s new national archeology campus https://www.timesofisrael.com/view-ancient-treasures-at-jerusalems-new-national-archeology-campus/ Sat, 09 Nov 2024 06:31:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3415133 The Israel Antiquities Authority's brand-new digs are more than a museum. While checking out the exhibits, visitors can also watch the archaeological process unfold in real time

The post View ancient treasures at Jerusalem’s new national archeology campus appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> See the British Mandate era pillboxes that dot Israel, evoking its checkered past https://www.timesofisrael.com/see-the-british-mandate-era-pillboxes-that-dot-israel-evoking-its-checkered-past/ Sat, 14 Sep 2024 04:27:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3373786 The cement guard posts, so-called because of their cylindrical shape, represent an intriguing and often beautiful piece of pre-state Israeli history

The post See the British Mandate era pillboxes that dot Israel, evoking its checkered past appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> See Jerusalem’s beautiful art parks, where (almost) no graven images can be found https://www.timesofisrael.com/see-jerusalems-beautiful-art-parks-where-almost-no-graven-images-can-be-found/ Sat, 18 May 2024 04:32:04 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3272926 The Holy City has long had a de facto ban on statues in the human form, as per the second of the Ten Commandments, but that doesn't mean sculptures are completely off the menu

The post See Jerusalem’s beautiful art parks, where (almost) no graven images can be found appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> The tragic pre-1948 history of Jerusalem’s now-posh Mekor Haim neighborhood https://www.timesofisrael.com/the-tragic-pre-1948-history-of-jerusalems-now-posh-mekor-haim-neighborhood/ Sat, 11 May 2024 04:04:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3286910 The Jewish enclave south of the capital was subject to brutal Arab attacks, and holds a memorial for 12 men killed fighting for it in the War of Independence

The post The tragic pre-1948 history of Jerusalem’s now-posh Mekor Haim neighborhood appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> An Easter visit to Mount Precipice and Jesus’s hometown of Nazareth https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-easter-visit-to-mount-precipice-and-jesus-hometown-of-nazareth/ Sat, 30 Mar 2024 04:06:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3256430 Despite wartime drop in tourism, the churches, basilica, White Mosque and charming old town, with spice shops, fashion and superb eateries, bustle with locals, are stunning as ever

The post An Easter visit to Mount Precipice and Jesus’s hometown of Nazareth appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Learn about Reb Aryeh, the ‘Prisoners’ Rabbi’ of pre-state Israel who visited lepers https://www.timesofisrael.com/learn-about-reb-aryeh-the-prisoners-rabbi-of-pre-state-israel-who-visited-lepers/ Sat, 09 Mar 2024 07:22:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3240915 Identifying troops' bodies via a kabbalistic ritual and comforting the jailed, downtrodden and sick, the beloved Aryeh Levin earned a reputation for piety in early 1900s Jerusalem

The post Learn about Reb Aryeh, the ‘Prisoners’ Rabbi’ of pre-state Israel who visited lepers appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> These Taglit-Birthright alumni rushed to Israel to volunteer after Oct. 7 atrocities https://www.timesofisrael.com/these-taglit-birthright-alumni-rushed-to-israel-to-volunteer-after-oct-7-atrocities/ Sat, 10 Feb 2024 09:14:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3220300 With most flights canceled and an active war still raging, Diaspora Jews from around the world showed their love by working fields - and sometimes just lending an attentive ear

The post These Taglit-Birthright alumni rushed to Israel to volunteer after Oct. 7 atrocities appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Israel’s valiant Lone Soldiers have given their lives for the Jewish state since 1948 https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-valiant-lone-soldiers-have-given-their-lives-for-the-jewish-state-since-1948/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 07:37:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3161757 Among the casualties of the current war with Hamas are 18 brave volunteers who came from abroad to defend the country. Their history spans back to Israel's foundation

The post Israel’s valiant Lone Soldiers have given their lives for the Jewish state since 1948 appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> A land with a view: Visit these scenic Israeli overlooks featuring audio guides https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-land-with-a-view-visit-these-scenic-israeli-overlooks-featuring-audio-guides/ Sun, 17 Sep 2023 06:16:18 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3097265 Scattered throughout the country's mountains and hills are hundreds of lookout points with histories both modern and ancient. Here are just a few of them

The post A land with a view: Visit these scenic Israeli overlooks featuring audio guides appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Go ‘back to the future’ of ancient Jerusalem with these high-tech history exhibits https://www.timesofisrael.com/go-back-to-the-future-of-ancient-jerusalem-with-these-high-tech-history-exhibits/ Sat, 19 Aug 2023 07:03:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3075003 This summer, enjoy a wide array of cutting-edge interactive and multimedia displays highlighting the capital's current beauty and colorful past

The post Go ‘back to the future’ of ancient Jerusalem with these high-tech history exhibits appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Immerse yourself in the Holy Land’s history by visiting these ancient ritual baths https://www.timesofisrael.com/immerse-yourself-in-the-holy-lands-history-by-visiting-these-ancient-ritual-baths/ Sat, 12 Aug 2023 04:46:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3069979 Essential to Jewish religious life, mikvehs can be found throughout Israel -- and some tell captivating tales of life millennia ago

The post Immerse yourself in the Holy Land’s history by visiting these ancient ritual baths appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Explore these stunning panoramic views of Jerusalem – and the histories behind them https://www.timesofisrael.com/explore-these-stunning-panoramic-views-of-jerusalem-and-the-histories-behind-them/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 05:27:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3065105 The Holy City's characteristic rolling hills make for a veritable wonderland of overlooks, rendered even more spectacular by the towering belfries and balconies visitors can climb

The post Explore these stunning panoramic views of Jerusalem – and the histories behind them appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]> Revamped as a national park, ancient Sussita’s rich history is even more accessible https://www.timesofisrael.com/revamped-as-a-national-park-ancient-sussitas-rich-history-is-even-more-accessible/ Sat, 13 May 2023 09:18:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3013755 Settled 2,200 years ago and razed in an earthquake in 740 CE, the Golan Heights site changed hands numerous times over the years. It is now easier to reach for intrepid visitors

The post Revamped as a national park, ancient Sussita’s rich history is even more accessible appeared first on The Times of Israel.

]]>