A Hike to the Monastery

Yesterday was Shabbat in Israel, and at Neve Shalom it was a time for settling in. Most of the team arrived yesterday, and is still recovering from jet lag. After a good night’s sleep, most of the team went to the crowded city of Jerusalem. Because I was there last week, I stayed at the hotel and took a hike to Latrun Monastery.

A view of the Monastery from Neve Shalom

The hike began with a downhill walk from Neve Shalom into the Ayalon Valley. The Trappist Monks earn an income by raising grapes and olives.

There are many grape vineyards around Latrun Monastery

I crossed through the vineyards on the way to the church.

The Burma Road was the back road that saved Jerusalem

As I was crossing the valley, I walked along the Burma Road. This road was cut from Latrun to Jerusalem in 1949, in order to provide supplies to the Jewish population of the “International city of Jerusalem” when Jordan cut off all access, in order to drive the Israelis out of the city. The road was being used by dirt bikes during my morning hike.

Olive Orchards maintained by the Trappist Monks

I climbed out of the valley to ruins which sit on top of the hill. I was told this was an old fortress built by the Ottoman Turks. It is listed on Google Maps as a Crusader Fortress.

Window (or door) in the ruins on top of Latrun Hill

The place is probably both, as the protective hill at Latrun has been a battle site throughout the history of the area. This is where the sun stood still for Joshua.

Looking toward Jerusalem from Latrun Hill. Highway 1 is below

There are records of battles fought by King Saul and the Maccabees in this area. There were battles in 1949, 1967 and at other times.

Painting in process of the Monastery

I met an artist on top of the hill who was painting the Latrun Church.

Arts & Crafts at Latrun Monastery

I walked down to the church, and found an arts and crafts festival which was crowded with people. This was because it was Shabbat.

The Church gardens at Latrun

I then went into the church, which is surrounded by gardens.

The church in process of restoration at Latrun

The church is in the process of restoration. There are no pews, but the building is very beautiful.

Two donkeys in the church yard

I met some donkeys along the way.

The road home with Neve Shalom in the background

Then I returned across the valley and up the hill to Neve Shalom.

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.