This heavenly Kibbutz Kfar Haruv founded in 1973 is not far from Syria but I would love to live here. Very quiet except lots of birds. A little cow smell from the dairy. After starting from nothing they now run a factory for large valves, a dairy, many crops, and guest houses. Every member shares equally in the profits each year as well as getting a salary relative to the private sector with a minimum base for each member. All decisions are made by the members. Public schools accommodate the one day of coop service and kibbutz education and public health care is on site because kibbutz life was so fundamental to Israel’s strength. They supply more members to the military than their numbers might indicate. I just saw online that this was a Syrian military position and the “International” community disputes Israeli rights here. It was the trip high point. 

From boating on the Sea of Galilee to the location of Jesus’ sermon on the mount with its 8 beautitudes. 

The Druze are a peaceful Syrian Muslim group we lunched with who live in Israel. Here is a Shepard across the road from a Syrian mine field the Israelis have not completely cleared along the border. 

Here on the River Jordan, Jesus was baptized by John, who he followed. Interesting to read about John’s probable sect the Jewish Essenes. One can buy souvenir shifts. I bought a small empty bottle to fill. Let me know if you want a drop.