SEA OF GALILEE
Israel’s chief source of water, the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias/Kinneret) lies 212 metres (696 feet) below sea level and is fed and drained by the Jordan River. It is 21 km (13 miles) long, and 9 km (6 miles) wide, and since biblical times has been famous for its abundance of fish. Many of Jesus’s disciples were fishermen here, and he did much of his preaching by its shores. Today, this beautiful area is one of Israel’s most popular tourist centres, with a mix of fascinating historical and religious sites, and a varied selection of hotels and outdoor activities.
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from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
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19 Habanim St, Tiberias, Tel: (04) 672 5666 .
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for groups only from Tiberias to Kibbutz Ein Gev (daily in summer), Tel: (04) 665 8008 .
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Holyland Sailing for Pilgrim Groups, Tiberias (all year round), Tel: (04) 672 3006 ; Lido Kinneret Sailing Co, Tiberias (all year round), Tel: (04) 672 1538 .
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Kibbutz Ein Gev Music Festival (Apr), Galilee Song Festival (May).
A View of the Sea of Galilee
The Sea of Galilee with the moon shining brightly above and reflecting on the water
Conceived by Eastern European Jews, the first kibbutz was founded at Degania in 1909. The guiding ideals behind Israel’s kibbutzim are self-sufficiency and equality, with everyone working for the common good. Rural farming communities, they are highly productive, and hold their own plenary meetings to decide on community matters. There are now two kibbutzim here, with the original called Degania Alef (A). By the main gate to the kibbutz is a Syrian tank, stopped here by the kibbutzniks when they famously defeated an entire armoured column during the 1948 war.
