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"River of the Kibbutzim", flowing through diffrent Kibbutzim from the Gilboa mountain to Jordan river

The Beth Shean Valley is a region in the Jordan Valley of northern Israel.

[edit] Regions

[edit] Cities

• Beth Shean

[edit] Other Destinations

[edit] National Parks

• Beit Alfa Synagogue National Park [1], located on Kibbutz Hefzibah, some 20 mins to the west of Beth Shean on Route 669 (watch for the signs), open April-September 8am-5pm, October-March 8am-4pm, tel (06) 653-2004, admission adults NIS 18, children NIS 8, groups: adults NIS 15, children NIS 7 - the site of an excavated 5th century synagogue with a remarkable mosaic floor, Beit Alfa was the scene of the first native Israeli archaeological excavation, conducted even before Independence. An Aramaic inscription states that the mosaic was laid at the time of the emperor Justin (ruled 518-527); the Greek inscription is in memory of the artists who made the mosaic, Marianus and his son Hanina. The highlight of the site is the mosaic floor in the central room of the synagogue, easily one of the most important mosaics discovered in Israel. Each of its three panels depicts a scene - the Holy Ark, the Zodiac (with the names of the 12 signs in Hebrew and a central image of the sun-god Helios - a most unusual addition to a synagogue!), and the story of the attempted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. The four women in the corners of the mosaic represent the four seasons. A film about life in the ancient village and the making of the mosaic floor is available to view in Hebrew, English and German.

Natural spring in the northen part of the valley

[edit] Kibbutzim

• Kibbutz Nir David

[edit] Understand

Most of the Beth Shean Valley is situated below Sea Level. Extremely hot and humid in summer. However, the valley has a lot of natural springs and flowing rivers, and it is one of the wettest regions in Israel. For that reason, Beth Shean valley is green and beautiful and many israelis travel there to relax in the springs during the hot summer days, and the valley was even nicknamed "gateway to heaven" in the jewish resources.

Considered by many to be an extension of the neighbouring Jezreel Valley region, the Beth Shean Valley really does possess its own unique geography and character.

Valley of the Jordan river, as seen from Kohav-Ha'Yarden("Star of Jordan"), an ancient fortress near Beth Shean

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