We went with Judy and Stu Telman and a van of senior
citizens to the Kannot School in Ashdod. Their organization Na'amat,
has helped fund this alternative high school. It services students that
aren't successful in the public schools and gives them a second chance
to succeed in school. We met in a conference hall where they explained
the program and introduced us to some of the students.
Ten years ago they added a Police Academy to the school program. It has been very successful in giving the students training in law enforcement, discipline, and structure to their lives.
Students take lessons at the equestrian park. It generates income for the school, too.
A dairy farm is another source of income and opportunity for the students to learn a skill and work.
The school grounds are kept up with one gardener and many students. They are required to work at least 1-2 hours each day. They keep the students very busy and involved in worthwhile activities.
We had lunch at the school cafeteria with the administration and students.
There are between 400-500 students at the school with a waiting list to get in.
Blaine and Linda on the grounds.
We then went to a Philistine museum in Ashdod. In the basement they had a collection of "pots and pans" and other items of the kitchen. This was a collection of tea kettles.
Upstairs they have an interactive computer image of Sampson pulling down the pillars.
On our way home we drove along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
The port city of Ashdod was populated in the 1950's with many immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia. It is mentioned in the Bible and is south of Tel Aviv and north of Gaza.
Ruins of a crusader fortress along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
That evening we went into the Old City with the students for a tour of the Kottel tunnel. This was a model they used to explain the Temple Mount and its history.
The niches in the wall are thought to be how the blocks were put into place with the help of a pulley. This is the part of the Western Wall where people can pray inside. This morning, 4 rabbis were murdered inside a synagogue. I thought there would be more people at the Western Wall praying because of this act of violence. It was just the opposite. I think people are afraid to come out.
The archeology site is worked around the clock.
Gay Strathern was the professor in charge of our group.
The blocks of the wall were chiseled during the Roman period and weigh between 300-600 tons each.
These were stones chiseled out of the bedrock but never put into place. They show no wear or use.
A cistern of water was discovered by the archeologist Warren.
There is a section inside for the women to pray.
View inside the Kottel tunnel along the foundation wall of Herod's temple
These are great photos inside the tunnel. So many of ours are dark. Great job!
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