Honey, marzipan and witches in the Mount Tabor area
There are a number of interesting family activities in the Mount Tabor area. These include a silk and honey farm, the archeological museum at Kibbutz Ein Dor and a marzipan store.
Dvorat Hatavor (silk and honey farm)
This great place for families with kids demonstrates how honey and silk are made. It specializes in working with groups of children. There are four areas to view, each of which requires about ½ hour, a total of almost 2 hours. There is a protected area with beehives. Conveniently, honey harvesting coincides with the summer vacations and High Holidays. This is also the only farm in Israel that makes silk. There is a large shaded area with benches and a kiosk selling drinks and snacks. Tours in English can be prearranged for a group of six or for a fixed sum for less people. On Fridays there are tours in Hebrew for families at 10.00 am, 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm. Directions: Enter into Waze “Bee Tabor” and click on “Bee Tabor- Dvorat Hatavor, Shadmot Dvora, Israel.” Their phone number is 972-4-676 9598. E-mail: tour-galilee.co.il. This is their website.
How to watch bees without getting stung
The Archeological Museum at Ein Dor
This is a small, approved archeological museum with two rooms of exhibits and outdoor exhibits from the larger area around. Explanations are provided for each section in Hebrew, English and Arabic. However, individual items are not explained, which means that you need a tour to fully appreciate all the exhibits. There is a helpful brochure in Hebrew. Outside the museum are ancient and less ancient equipment for pressing olives and milling wheat. The museum offers group tours and English-speaking groups can be accommodated. Providing tours for individuals is not cost-effective for the museum, so you are on your own. Directions: Enter into Waze “Kibbutz Ein Dor.” The museum is well-signposted inside the kibbutz. Telephone: 04-677 0333. E-mail museum@indoe.or.il. This is their website.
Where did the witch of Ein Dor live?
in Dor was the first new settlement established after the State of Israel was declared in 1948. There is also a biblical connection to Ein Dor, in that King Saul visited the medium at Ein Dor to summon up the spirit of the prophet Samuel in a desperate attempt to find out how his impending battle against the Philistines would end. The prophets of Israel had failed to provide Saul with any prophecies. Nor had the priests offered the use of the urim vertumim. These are elements of the High Priest's' breast plate that were used to foretell the future. However, there is an explicit Torah prohibition against seeking mediums and Saul himself had forbidden it in his kingdom on pain of death. Saul probably felt he had no choice but to break his own prohibition. As it turned out, the risen Samuel had nothing of comfort to tell Saul. He would die during the forthcoming battle.
We do know that Kibbutz Ein Dor is not the site of the Biblical Ein Dor. A possible site is where the ruins of the Arab village of Endor are located south of Mount Tabor. This village was built on an earlier Roman village. Its Arab inhabitants fled during Israel's War of Independence. In favor of this location is its name, in that Arabic places frequently retain their ancient Hebrew name. Other locations have also been suggested.
The Marzipan and Chocolate House
This store in the industrial area of Kfar Tabor at the foot of Mount Tabor sells marzipan, chocolate and other products. There is an introductory video showing how marzipan is made from almonds grown in local farms. You can also create your own marzipan and chocolate figures using a kit they sell. Hours during the summer are Sunday to Thursday 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Friday to 4.00 pm, and Saturday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Closing is an hour earlier during the winter. Their phone number is 04- 677 2111. Directions: Enter “Marzipan Factory Kfar Tavor” and click on “בית המרציפן והשוקולד כפר תבור.“
Other nearby places of interest:
The Tabor Winery. See our webpage "Wine tasting in the Lower Galilee." Enter "Tabor Winery" into Waze.