In honor of the season, let's look toward the east and visit the gardens of Ramat Hanadiv. It's not exactly Bethlehem, but it's close enough.
Ramat Hanadiv combines natural landscapes and formal gardens on more than 1,100 acres. It was built by Baron Edmond de Rothschild (1845-1934), whose family was prominent throughout Europe and addressed the Balfour Declaration, which committed the British government to the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people. His remains and those of Baroness Adelheid de Rothschild (1853-1935) are interred at the Memorial Gardens there.
Over the past fifty years, the location has been the site of many archaeological excavations and research and educational projects. It's also a popular destination, where visitors enjoy the Rose Garden, Fragrance Garden, Tree Walk and Therapeutic Gardens in addition to public concerts at the Amphitheatre and a hiking trail that make Ramat Hanadiv one of the most popular nature spots in Israel.
Click the Rose Garden photo above or below to enter.
I'm taking a week off to de-stress and to spend with my family. Those two verbs don't ordinarily belong in the same sentence, but I'm ever the optimist :)
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy, prosperous and GREEN 2008.
