Lodging at Neve Shalom

Today we made the transition from Haifa to the Ayalon Valley, half way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. We are lodging at a Hotel called Neve Shalom, which means “New Peace.”

Lobby at Neve Shalom

The hotel sits in a community intentionally founded in 1970 in order to bring Jews and Arabs together in a place of peace. About 150 families live in the village, which has schools, a youth center and an art museum.

Lobby Patio at Neve Shalom

The rooms are small connected cottages which are arranged along the hillside. Each room has a private entrance and a patio. Steps lead from one set of apartments to the next.

Cottage style rooms at Neve Shalom

Middle Eastern cuisine in the dining room for both breakfast and supper. There is a small cafe and a gift shop located in the village. We ate lunch there and the food was quite tasty.

Swimming Pool at Neve Shalom

The community of Neve Shalom has a swimming pool, which we will visit each day after our work in this area, an archeological dig at Tel Gezer.

Olive Grove at Neve Shalom

There are seating areas located around the facility which are designed to allow for meditation.

The View from Neve Shalom to the the Trappist Monastery and Modi'in

The hotel is on a hill which overlooks the Ayalon Valley. Across the valley is a Trappist Monastery, and beyond the church the highrises of Modi’in are visible in the background.

Looking across the valley to Neve Shalom

The team which digs a Tel Gezer, along with many other teams stay at Neve Shalom. Several tem members have spent three weeks at this hotel every summer for more than ten years.

Looking up to Jerusalem

Neve Shalom is located in a place in Israel with a history of border disputes. The Ayalon valley narrows as it leads up into the hills. This is the place where the sun stood still for Joshua. In 1949, the land on which the hotel sits was “no man’s land,” part of the demilitarized zone between Israel and Jordan.

A Fortress with Neve Shalom in the background

The most difficult battles of the six day war in 1967, were fought around this location. Once the battle was over and the land was secured for Israel, the hotel was built.

A Bench for Prayer at Neve Shalom

There were both Arab and Jewish communities in the area. It was the dream of Father Bruno Hussar to see Arabs and Jews living in peace. His goal is accomplished through the community called Neve Shalom.