Field Trip #3: Neot Kedumim

Neot Kedumim is what our guide described as an ecological reserve. First imagined by a pair of Zionist Jews in the early 20th century, it was finally established in the 1960s by their son as a "Biblical Park." One of its goals is to renew the land decimated by over-farming, over-grazing, military maneuvers, etc. But its primary purpose is to cultivate every plant mentioned in the Bible, then share the literal and symbolic purpose and meaning of those plants as described in the Old and New Testament. (Actually, I was never quite sure if the park--whose guides were obviously Jewish--used the word "Bible" to attract business from Christians, or if they actually meant to include the New Testament. There were scriptures on plaques located all around the park, but every one I saw came from the Old Testament.) This park is huge, and it was a long day in the sunshine, but we turned an olive press, practiced threshing wheat, saw a scribe make ink and write on a Torah scroll, ground hyssop, cooked pita and lentil stew on an open fire, and so on. It was a great place and it felt wonderful to be out of the city, but I can't wait to go back in the spring when everything is green and in bloom.

Remember the olive press from Field Trip #1? This is the wheel that performs stage one--the olives are laid in the circular moat and mashed into a pulp.

Usually a donkey pulls the wheel around the circle, but this time it was blue-shirted BYU students.

Of course, any Biblical preserve worth its salt would have to have sheep and goats, right? The kids spent quite awhile trying to get some very full goats interested in a handful of straw, then the BYU students got to try to herd them, then separate the sheep from the goats. 

This is hyssop, an herb used today as a spread on the "Jerusalem bread" you can buy on the streets of the Old City.

Isaac, Linda and Abby using a mortar and pestle to grind the hyssop (with help from Abi Gunn and Annie Leischman).

Linda, hanging out under an almond tree. 

The view from the sheep pen, looking toward Tel Aviv

As mentioned previously, throw a stone in Israel and it will hit a potential archaeological site. Here Joe is exploring a 4th century AD Christian church--notice the cross in the mosaic on the floor.

Joe and Isaac, exploring the countryside

The BYU students bribe my kids by letting them use their phones, cameras and iPads.
I tell them they do so at their own risk.

Lastly, here's a video of Linda rockin' out on the bus.