Honey, marzipan and witches in the Mount Tabor area
There are a number of interesting family activities in the Mount Tabor area, including a silk and honey farm, a marzipan store and an archeological museum at Kibbutz Ein Dor.
Dvorat Hatavor (silk and honey farm)
This great place for families with kids demonstrates how honey and silk are made. It is the only farm in Israel that makes silk. It specializes in working with groups of children. There are four areas to view, each of which requires about ½ hour, to a total of almost 2 hours. This includes a protected beehive area. Conveniently, honey harvesting coincides with the summer vacations and the Jewish High Holidays (on Rosh Hashona it is a Jewish custom to eat honey for a sweet New Year). There is a large shaded area with picnic benches and a kiosk for drinks and snacks. Tours in English can be prearranged for a group of six, or for less people at an arranged cost. On Fridays there are tours in Hebrew for families at 10.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. Directions: Enter into Waze “Bee Tabor” and click on “Bee Tabor- Dvorat Hatavor, Shadmot Dvora, Israel.” Their phone number is 972-4-676 9598. E-mail: tour-galilee.co.il. This is their website.
Watching bees being busy without getting stung.
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The Archeological Museum at Ein Dor
This is a small, approved archeological museum consisting of two rooms and an outdoor area displaying archeological finds from the larger area around. There are written explanations for each section in Hebrew, English and Arabic. However, individual exhibits are not explained, which means that a tour is needed to fully appreciate everything displayed here, although there is a helpful brochure in Hebrew. Outside the museum are ancient and less ancient equipment for pressing olives and milling wheat. The museum offers group tours and English-speaking groups can be accommodated. Providing tours for individuals is not cost-effective for the museum, so you are on your own. Directions: Enter into Waze “Kibbutz Ein Dor.” The museum is well-signposted inside the kibbutz. Telephone: 04-677 0333. E-mail museum@indoe.or.il. This is their website.
The archeological museum at Kibbutz Ein Dor.
Where did the witch of Ein Dor live?
Ein Dor was the first new settlement established after the State of Israel was declared in 1948. There is also a Biblical connection to Ein Dor in that King Saul visited a medium at Ein Dor to summon up the spirit of the prophet Samuel in a desperate attempt to find out the outcome of his impending battle against the Philistines. The prophets of Israel had failed to provide him with any answers. Nor had the priests offered the use of the Urim and Thummim stones. These were elements of the High Priest's' breast plate used in Biblical times to foretell the future. There is an explicit Torah prohibition against seeking mediums and Saul himself had forbidden it in his kingdom on pain of death. However, he probably felt he had no choice but to break his own rule. However, Samuel’s spirit had nothing of comfort to tell him. He would die during the forthcoming battle. (For more about King Saul, see the essay “The noble death of King Saul" on the web page "A hike from Har Sha'ul on the Gilboa Mountain Range)
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Kibbutz Ein Dor is not the site of the Biblical Ein Dor. A possible location is where the ruins of the Arab village of Endor are located south of Mount Tabor. This village was built on an earlier Roman village. Its Arab inhabitants fled during Israel's War of Independence. In favor of this location is its name, in that Arab places frequently retain their ancient Hebrew name. Other locations have also been suggested.
The Marzipan and Chocolate House
This store in the industrial area of Kfar Tavor at the foot of Mount Tabor sells marzipan, chocolate and other products. An introductory video can be seen that shows how marzipan is made from almonds grown in local farms. Marzipan and chocolate figures can be created using a kit that is sold. Hours during the summer are Sunday to Thursday 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Friday to 4.00 p.m., and Saturday 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Closing is an hour earlier during the winter. Their phone number is 04- 676 9093. Directions: Enter “Marzipan Factory Kfar Tavor” and click on “בית המרציפן והשוקולד כפר תבור.”
Other nearby places of interest:
The Tabor Winery. See our webpage "Wine tasting in the Lower Galilee." Enter "Tabor Winery" into Waze.
Links to the HOME PAGE and best family activities, hikes and historic sites in the GOLAN, EASTERN GALILEE, UPPER GALILEE, LOWER GALILEE, JORDAN VALLEY & LAKE KINNERET, the SHEFELAH, TEL AVIV-YAFFO and surroundings, NORTH of TEL AVIV, and SOUTH of TEL AVIV.
Do you find my website interesting and helpful?
Then you are sure to love my two new books "In and Around Jerusalem for Everyone - The Best Walks, Hikes and Outdoor Pools" and "The Struggle for Utopia - A History of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Messianism". Both books are available on Amazon and in Jerusalem bookstores. Click on each of the titles for information, reviews and purchase information.