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ASHDOD

hough the city’s name dates to antiquity Tand is rich in history, today’s Ashdod is actually a very modern port city. In fact, Ashdod was well planned, beginning in 1953, from the sand up. This is a hard working city; an industrial and commercial base, one of the most important in all of Israel. And the 200,000 (+) people of Ashdod, most arriving after 1990, are justly proud of the city they have built. HISTORY Ashdod is a vital maritime gateway to historic cities and sites To some people the is little more than the historic throughout Israel. Up the coast about 20 miles (32km) to the center of modern Jerusalem. To others it is simply the cen- north is the bright, bustling, beachfront metropolis of ter and capital of the modern State of Israel. However, to and the ancient port of . Approximately fifty miles (90 km) many people, throughout Israel and beyond, the Old City southeast of Ashdod is the Dead Sea and the imposing redoubt of Jerusalem is the center of this world and the world yet of Masada. Heading north from Masada visitors will come to to come. Bethlehem and just beyond, the incredible city of Jerusalem. This is the city of King Melchizedek and his blessing upon Jerusalem (Yerushaláyim) is the capital of the State of Israel. the patriarch nearly 4,000 years ago. This is the About 45 miles (70 km) to the east of Ashdod, the city is known city where a young shepherd boy grew up to reign as a for its beauty and for being the focal point of the Jewish, Christian great king. This is the city where another king cherished and Islamic faiths. The city has a population close to 800,000 – wisdom more than wealth and the Lord bestowed both 20% of which are Israelis of Arab descent. There are three basic upon him. This is the city where a temple of indescribable sections to Jerusalem; the historic Old City, East Jerusalem and majesty stood for centuries only to be destroyed and even- the New City. The walled Old City, as it has for centuries, contin- tually rebuilt again. ues to draw religious pilgrims and tourists from around the world. Jerusalem has been conquered, pillaged, plundered, re- In the Old City every street and stone seems to radiate historic stored and conquered again and again. This is the city and religious significance. The Old City is a bustling of where a Roman ruler washed his hands and sent the son of living history. It is a densely packed labyrinth of cobblestone a carpenter to be crucified. This is the city where the same lanes and alleys with thousands of shops and shopkeepers. Romans destroyed the , crushed the people Modern Jerusalem is the home of the State of Israel’s three and scattered them to the four corners of the earth. branches of government. Visitors to the New City will find count- Yet, despite imperial might, despite the best efforts of em- less restaurants and cafés, some of Israel’s leading museums perors, crusaders and kings, despite potentates and dicta- and the homes of the world famous Jerusalem Symphony Or- tors, the people were not ultimately destroyed. In 1948 a chestra and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Perhaps the nation which had not existed for nearly 2,000 years was most poignant site in modern Jerusalem is Yad Vashem, the Na- suddenly reborn, though the city of Jerusalem remained tional Authority for the Remembrance of the Martyrs and Heroes divided. On June 7, 1967, victorious over insurmountable of the Holocaust. odds in just 6 days, Israeli army paratroopers captured Je- rusalem and stood before the ; the very foun- dation of the Temple of their Lord. After two millennia, the blast of the ceremonial ram’s horn, the “shofar”, echoed once again through the streets of ancient Jerusalem. © 2011 maps.com 1 2

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A B 5 C D E 3 F 4 PLACES OF INTEREST - ASHDOD 5 G Cruise Ship Ashdod is a very nice city with an inviting sea-front promenade. Pier 6 H The city also has a couple of notable museums. 7 The Korin Maman Museum is located at #16 H’shayatim 8 I Street, in the Dalet Area. The museum is home to an ar- 9 1 KJ cheological collection (“The Philistine World”) which dates back 10 nearly 4,000 years. 11 ML The Ashdod Art Museum is located in the Monart Cen- 12 N ter, in the center of the city. The museum is home to a col- 13 2 O lection of international and Israeli modern artists. P PLACES OF INTEREST - JERUSALEM The (Masjid Qubbat As-Sakhrah) sits 3 atop Israel’s and dominates the skyline of 1 Jerusalem. According to Jewish religion it is from the Temple Mount the world expanded into its present form and where God chose His Divine Presence to rest. The location is the holi- 2 est site in Judaism, where both the First and Second Jewish A Temples were built and is the place Jews turn towards during B prayer. C The mosque is sacred to who believe the dome cov- D ers the rock where the patriarch Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. teaches that the Mohammed went E F G H I KJ ML N O P up to heaven from this site. The Temple Mount is under the The area has been a popular resort destination for thousands political sovereignty of Israel however daily administration is of years. In 1946, in cliff-side caves along the desolate shore the responsibility of The . of the sea, Bedouin shepherds made one of the most incred- ible discoveries in history; the famous “Dead Sea Scrolls”. It The Western Wall is revered as part of the foundation 4 of the Temple Mount, the sole remnant of the Second is interesting to note that when the Bedouins first offered to Temple, erected by , destroyed by Rome in sell a couple of the ancient scrolls to a dealer of antiquities he 70 A.D. pronounced them “worthless” and politely declined. is an ancient fortress set high upon a desolate rock Mt. (according to Jewish tradition) is the site of the Masada 5 tomb of King . According to Catholic tradition Mt. outcropping which overlooks the Dead Sea. Built by Herod Zion is also the site of the Passover meal (the Last Super) the Great in 37 BC, a century later it was the final refuge from held by Jesus and his disciples on the night he was betrayed the mighty legions of Rome for close to 1,000 Jewish men, and arrested. women and children. Masada is an eternal example of deter- mination and sacrifice exhibited by a few Jewish families from The Garden of Gethsemane looks out over the old city a generation long past. Their courage is acknowledged with 6 of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It was here Jesus awe and respect unto this day and their story shall be passed wept and prayed to his heavenly father prior to his betrayal, down for generations of Israelis to come. “Sheynit Masada lo arrest and subsequent trial. tipul” … “Masada shall not fall again.” The (The Way of Sorrows) is, according 7 to Roman tradition, the path Jesus took SHORE EXCURSIONS through Jerusalem on his way to his crucifixion on Calvary To make the most of your visit to Jerusalem and the surround- Hill. ing area we suggest you take one of our organized Shore Ex- cursions. For information concerning tour content and pricing, The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built in the 12th 8 century. The church is shared by several Christian de- consult your Shore Excursion Order Form or contact the Shore nominations. According to their tradition the church was built Excursion Desk. When going ashore, be advised to take only upon the site of Christ’s crucifixion, entombment and resur- necessary items and secure any valuables onboard. rection. Local Customs Bargaining: Vendors in open-air markets and stalls will generally bargain. Prices in stores are usually The Israel Museum is located in the New City. The mu- 9 seum is home to the Shrine of the Book, the indescrib- fixed. ably amazing “Dead Sea Scrolls”. The museum also has a Tipping: A 12% tip is appropriate if a service charge is not model of the Second Temple Era of Jerusalem. added to your dinning tab. Taxi drivers are not customarily tipped. Beyond Jerusalem LOCAL CUISINE AND DRINK SPECIALTIES Tel Aviv is a vibrant, thoroughly modern city while neighbor- ing Jaffa may lay claim to being the oldest port in the world. For many gentiles, the most commonly asked question re- The outdoor cafés and restaurants in Tel Aviv are countless garding Jewish cuisine is “What does Kosher mean?” The an- and popular, night and day. The secular and religious cultures swer is relatively simple however the details and the practice live in harmony side by side. Business and the beautiful beach of “keeping kosher” are very precise and require a good bit of are the city’s heartbeat. Jaffa’s Old City is an architectural dedication. The simple answer is: Kosher food is that which treasure. Historic stone buildings, narrow winding alleys, the has been prepared under supervision and in strict compli- fisherman’s port, an artist’s quarter, quaint shops and cafés, ance with traditional rabbinic interpretation of Jewish Dietary open markets, galleries and a museum all combine to make Laws. Kosher’s recognized characteristic is that you do not for a wonderful visit. mix meat and dairy in the same meal. Bethlehem; for centuries faithful pilgrims have come to this Israeli cuisine today is a combination of Mediterranean and little town to visit the site they believe to be the traditional Middle Eastern foods (olives, fish, falafel, flat breads, honey birthplace of the Christian Messiah, Jesus. Much of the and hummus) along with the traditional recipes which hun- Church of the Nativity which is seen today was built in 530 dreds of thousands of new immigrants brought to Israel fol- AD. Though the city of Bethlehem has been under Muslim lowing the establishment of the state (gefilte fish, schnitzel, control throughout many of the past centuries, through com- chopped liver, borsht and the always popular chicken soup). mission or omission, this Christian church has been allowed Tea and coffee are very popular drinks in Israel. Maccabi and to remain standing. Today Bethlehem is administered by the Goldstar (both produced by “Tempo Beer Industries”) are Palestinian Authority and continue to be welcomed among the most popular beers brewed in Israel. to the town. SHOPPING The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth; famous for the high mineral content of the mud and the high salinity of the water. If you are planning to join one of the Shore Excursion guided tours, your guide will be happy to answer any questions you TOURIST INFORMATION may have about shopping in your destination. In the port city The Tourist Information Center in the Old City of Jerusalem is of Ashdod there are a number of shopping malls; Lev Ashdod also located at the . In Ashdod the nearest Tourist Mall, City Mall, The Sea Mall and Star Center. Keep in mind Information Center is in the port terminal. In Ashdod city it is the taxi rides from the port to Ashdod can be very expen- located at 6 Habanim St. sive. TRANSPORTATION LOCAL CURRENCY Taxis are available at the port for quests who decide they The national currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). For- would like to go into the city of Ashdod. eign currency can be exchanged at post offices, banks and licensed exchange agencies. Travelers’ checks and major USEFUL WORDS AND PHRASES credit cards are widely accepted. English - Hebrew POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONE Hello/goodbye - sha-LOM Good morning - BO-ker tov The Post Office in the Old City of Jerusalem is located at the Good evening - erev tov Jaffa Gate. In Ashdod the nearest Post Office is located in the Yes - ken port. In Ashdod city the Post Office is on Ha Azmaut 58/1. No - loh Dial the following access numbers to use a personal calling Thank you - to-DAH card: You’re welcome - al low da-VAAR AT&T: 1.80.949.4949 or 1.80.922.2222 MCI: 1.80.920.2727 or 1.80.930.2727

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This information has been compiled for the convenience of our guests and is intended solely for that purpose. While we work to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, we cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may have taken place since printing. © RCCL 2012 - All rights reserved.